Overview:
The U.S. Senate has passed legislation to transfer a portion of the former Albuquerque Indian School campus to the 19 New Mexico Pueblos for the expansion of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.
The U.S. Senate has passed legislation that would transfer a portion of the former Albuquerque Indian School campus to the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico for the expansion of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced passage of the Albuquerque Indian School Act of 2026, which would place portions of the former school campus, currently managed by the General Services Administration, into trust for the benefit of the 19 Pueblos.
The legislation now heads to the U.S. House for consideration.
“Our legislation will help the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center expand its reach, create new economic opportunities, foster entrepreneurship, and help local small businesses grow,” Heinrich said. “Now that our bill has passed the Senate, I urge Speaker Mike Johnson and House Leadership to take it up and pass it without delay. This legislation will deliver an important win for the 19 Pueblos and for everyone who calls New Mexico home.”
The bill is sponsored in the Senate by Heinrich and U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. In the House, it is led by U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) and cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.).
Luján said the legislation would provide additional opportunities for economic development and cultural education through the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.
“Expanding economic development and cultural education opportunities for the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is critical for the 19 New Mexico Pueblos it serves,” Luján said. “I cosponsored the Albuquerque Indian School Act because it will help the center grow, support job creation, and generate new revenue for New Mexico’s Pueblos and our communities.”
“Having this bill pass the Senate is a vital step toward getting this bill across the finish line and signed into law,” he said.
Supporting the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
The Albuquerque Indian School Act builds on a longstanding bipartisan effort to transfer portions of the former Albuquerque Indian School campus and surrounding buildings to the 19 Pueblos.
The legislation would support the continued development and expansion of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, a nationally recognized museum and cultural institution owned and operated by the Pueblos.
The center is dedicated to preserving and perpetuating Pueblo history, culture and art while also supporting economic development and long-term economic sustainability for the Pueblos.
The proposed land transfer would provide the cultural center with additional opportunities to expand its operations, create economic opportunities and support entrepreneurship and local businesses.
The Senate passage follows action last month by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, which approved the legislation.
Heinrich testified before the committee earlier this summer in support of the measure, urging senators to advance the legislation.
The Albuquerque Indian School Act of 2026 now moves to the House, where lawmakers will determine whether to advance the legislation for final passage.
