Dusty Johnson led bill simplifies approval process of property mortgages on tribal lands

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - South Dakota’s lone congressman, Dusty Johnson, is an advocate for helping people on reservations achieve the American dream of homeownership. On Thursday, that dream took a step forward. 

The Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act, led by Johnson, passed the House Natural Resources Committee by unanimous consent. 

The bill would provide for more timely processing of residential and business mortgages for properties on tribal trust land. 

Johnson said the legislation cuts through bureaucratic red tape and delays to make homeownership more accessible. 

Bureau of Indian Affairs offices follow the BIA Mortgage Handbook, which sets timelines for processing and approving mortgages, yet Johnson said they are not always followed. 

“Congress is mandating them, that we are ordering them to conduct these things in proper timelines,” said Johnson. “We are going to do our oversight role to make sure that once this bill passes, we are holding their feet to the fire.” 

The legislation would also increase certain federal agencies’ ability to run tribal housing programs and improve communication between tribes, the BIA, tribal members and lenders. 

“There can be times where maybe other agencies are loaning money to first-time home buyers, for instance, out of a rural development program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture,” said Johnson. “There could be other PUD (Public Utility District) programs that sometimes apply.” 

The Senate passed the bill last month, and Johnson is hoping it will pass the House soon.