9.89 Acres of Former Albuquerque Indian School Land to Be Transferred to 19 Pueblos for Economic Development

The Albuquerque Indian School Act of 2025 is pretty straightforward: it mandates the transfer of approximately 9.89 acres of federal land in Albuquerque, New Mexico, into a trust for the benefit of 19 specific New Mexico Pueblos. Think of this as the federal government moving a piece of property off its books and handing it back to the tribes for development.

This isn't just a symbolic gesture. The bill specifies the land—which includes three tracts and a 76,682 square foot warehouse—must be used for the Pueblos’ educational, health, cultural, business, and economic development. This means the land is intended to become a resource that can generate jobs, provide services, or support cultural institutions for the communities of Acoma, Cochiti, Isleta, Jemez, Laguna, and the rest of the 19 named Pueblos. For people living in these communities, this could mean new health clinics or business opportunities closer to home.

The Clock Starts When the Tenants Move Out

Unlike some bills that set a hard date, this one hinges on logistics. The land transfer process kicks off only after all current federal tenants have relocated from the property. Once they’re gone, the Administrator of General Services has 90 days to hand administrative control over to the Secretary of the Interior, who then takes the land into trust for the Pueblos. The good news is the timeline is clear (90 days), but the transfer is dependent on the federal government successfully moving its stuff out first. The bill does carve out a specific easement on Tract 1, allowing the federal government continued access to the warehouse area just to retrieve or relocate its property.

Rules of the Road: What They Can and Can’t Do

While the land is being transferred to the Pueblos, it’s not a blank slate. First, the bill explicitly prohibits all Class I, II, and III gaming on the property. So, no casinos here. Second, the land remains subject to any existing easements, utility service agreements, or private/municipal restrictions that were already in place when the law was enacted. This is an important detail for the 19 Pueblos, as they will need to work around any existing power lines or access roads already established on those 9.89 acres. For example, if the city has a water main running under Tract 2, the Pueblos can’t just dig it up—they inherit the land subject to that agreement. This preserves the rights of utility companies and neighboring property owners but potentially limits the Pueblos' development options.

The Fine Print on the Map

To make sure everyone knows exactly what land is changing hands, the Secretary of the Interior is required to obtain a survey of the land and record it with the Bernalillo County Clerk's Office. The bill allows for minor corrections to be made to fix clerical or surveying errors, which is standard procedure, but it ensures the boundaries are legally defined and locked down. Ultimately, this bill provides a clear path for the 19 Pueblos to reclaim and utilize a significant piece of land for their collective future, tying economic opportunity directly to the restoration of historical property.