Central ND News

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and a group of bipartisan colleagues have introduced the GSA Disposal Process Tribal Parity Act of 2024. This legislation aims to amend the General Service Administration's (GSA) disposal process for surplus federal property, specifically by incorporating tribal governments into the process.

Currently, when the federal government determines that a property is surplus, state and local governments have the opportunity to apply for its acquisition at below market value if it is for public use. However, tribal governments have been excluded from this process. The GSA Disposal Process Tribal Parity Act seeks to rectify this exclusion and provide tribal governments with an equal opportunity to obtain suitable surplus federal properties.

Senator Cramer emphasized the importance of this legislation, stating, "Tribal governments should never have been excluded from the federal surplus disposal process. They should be allowed the same ability to obtain property as state and local governments." He further described the bill as "bipartisan, commonsense legislation" that is long overdue and will remove an outdated barrier for tribal governments across the country.

The GSA Disposal Process Tribal Parity Act has gained support from additional cosponsors, including U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), James Lankford (R-OK), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ). The bipartisan nature of this legislation highlights the broad recognition of the need to address the exclusion of tribal governments from the federal surplus disposal process.

This legislation aims to promote fairness and equality by ensuring that tribal governments have the same opportunities as their state and local counterparts to acquire surplus federal properties. By incorporating tribal governments into the disposal process, this bill recognizes the sovereignty and rights of tribal nations and acknowledges their role as important stakeholders in the management of federal property.

The GSA Disposal Process Tribal Parity Act of 2024 represents a significant step towards rectifying an unfair exclusion and providing tribal governments with the equal opportunity they deserve. As this legislation moves forward, it will be crucial for policymakers to recognize and address the historical and systemic barriers faced by tribal governments in accessing federal surplus property.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-cramer-colleagues-introduce-legislation-allowing-tribal-governments-to-obtain-federal-surplus-property