Bill > A03830

This bill modifies New York's abandoned property law to require that lands with no clear heirs (a legal concept known as escheat) now revert to the Indian nation or tribe that historically occupied the property, instead of to the state. If no such tribe currently exists, the land would go to the nearest existing Indian nation or tribe. The bill changes multiple sections of existing law to replace references to the "state" or "people" with references to the appropriate Indian nation or tribe, and establishes that such escheated lands shall be considered tribal land. The legislation provides a detailed process for how such lands can be claimed, including provisions for petitions to release the property, requirements for public notice, and conditions under which the property might be transferred. Key changes include allowing certain family members or potential heirs to petition for release of the property, specifying timelines for such petitions, and outlining the conditions under which the property might be released, such as without consideration for certain close family members if the property's value is below specific thresholds. The bill aims to restore land rights to Indigenous nations by treating abandoned property as potentially belonging to the tribes with historical connections to the land, rather than automatically defaulting to state ownership.

Budget and Finance

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A3830