Indian Affairs Committee

Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2025

Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior to complete all actions necessary to place approximately 40 acres of land in Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota, into restricted fee status for the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Restricted fee status refers to land that is owned by a tribe or tribal member but is subject to restrictions by the United States against alienation (i.e., sale or transfer) or encumbrance (e.g., liens, leases, or rights-of-way) by operation of law. The bill requires the land to be held and maintained as a memorial and sacred site, as outlined by the document titled Covenant Between the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and dated October 21, 2022. Further, it prohibits commercial development and gaming activity on the land.

Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2025

Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act This bill takes specified lands and easements in Monroe County, Tennessee, into trust for the use and benefit of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. These lands include the Sequoyah Museum, the Chota Memorial, the Tanasi Memorial, and land to provide support for these properties and cultural programs. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) maintains its right to carry out river control and development on these lands, including temporarily and intermittently flooding certain lands. The bill specifies the structures that may be constructed with the TVA's written consent on certain lands subject to flooding. Additionally, the TVA must be compensated for lost hydropower capacity from future development of these lands. Further, the bill specifies that the United States is not liable for loss or damage resulting from certain activities, such as the permanent flooding of adjacent lands. In addition, the bill outlines the TVA's continuing responsibilities, including those related to environmental remediation. Finally, the bill prohibits gaming on these lands.

Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025

Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior to complete all actions necessary to place approximately 40 acres of land in Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota, into restricted fee status for the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Restricted fee status refers to land that is owned by a tribe or tribal member but is subject to restrictions by the United States against alienation (i.e., sale or transfer) or encumbrance (e.g., liens, leases, or rights-of-way) by operation of law. The bill requires the land to be held and maintained as a memorial and sacred site, as outlined by the document titled Covenant Between the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and dated October 21, 2022. Further, it prohibits commercial development and gaming activity on the land.

Lumbee Fairness Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025

Lumbee Fairness Act This bill extends federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and makes its members eligible for the services and benefits provided to members of federally recognized tribes. Members of the tribe residing in Robeson, Cumberland, Hoke, and Scotland Counties in North Carolina are deemed to be within the delivery area for such services. The Department of the Interior and the Department of Health and Human Services must develop, in consultation with the tribe, a determination of needs to provide the services for which members of the tribe are eligible. Interior may take land into trust for the benefit of the tribe. Finally, North Carolina must exercise jurisdiction over all criminal offenses committed, and all civil actions that arise, on North Carolina lands owned by, or held in trust for, the Lumbee Tribe or any dependent Indian community of the tribe unless jurisdiction is transferred to the United States pursuant to an agreement between the tribe and the state.

To amend the Act of August 9, 1955 (commonly known as the “Long-Term Leasing Act”), to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land in the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation and land held in trust for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), and for other purposes

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

This bill authorizes the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) to lease their land held in trust for a term of up to 99 years. Both tribes are located in Massachusetts.

A bill to amend the Act of August 9, 1955 (commonly known as the "Long-Term Leasing Act"), to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land in the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation and land held in trust for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025

This bill authorizes the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) to lease their land held in trust for a term of up to 99 years. Both tribes are located in Massachusetts.

Northern Montana Water Security Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2025

Northern Montana Water Security Act of 2025 This bill modifies and ratifies a specified water rights settlement agreement entered into by the United States, Montana, and the Fort Belknap Indian Community of the Fort Belknap Reservation of Montana (i.e., the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes). The bill also authorizes wastewater infrastructure on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana. The bill requires the community's water rights to be held in trust for the benefit of the community and its allottees. The community must enact a tribal water code to regulate its water rights. Additionally, the bill authorizes the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (as applicable) to enter negotiations with Montana to exchange certain state lands for federal lands to be held in trust for the benefit of the community. The bill prohibits gaming on the land taken into trust. The bill also establishes the Aaniiih Nakoda Settlement Trust Fund (and specified accounts) for purposes of carrying out this bill, establishes the Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Settlement Implementation Fund (and specified accounts) for purposes of carrying out this bill, and provides funding for specified accounts established by the bill. The bill also authorizes Interior to plan, design, construct, operate, maintain, and replace community water distribution and wastewater treatment facilities for the Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana.

Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2025

Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025 This bill revises the water rights settlement agreement entered into by the Crow Tribe of Montana and Montana. The Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2010 ratified, authorized, and confirmed the water rights compact between the tribe and Montana. Among other provisions, this settlement act authorized the Bureau of Reclamation to plan, design and construct the following two major projects on the Crow Reservation: (1) the rehabilitation and improvement of the Crow Irrigation Project (CIP); and (2) the planning, design, and construction of the MR&I System (the municipal, rural, and industrial water system of the Crow Reservation). Among other provisions, the bill revises the settlement act to replace references to the MR&I System with MR&I Projects ;  establish a nontrust, interest-bearing account (to be known as the Crow CIP Implementation Account) to allow Reclamation to continue to work on the rehabilitation of the CIP;  create a new MR&I Projects Account, through which the tribe must use funds for activities related to water production, treatment, or delivery infrastructure; and extend by five years (to 2030) the period during which the tribe has the exclusive right to construct hydropower facilities on the Yellowtail Afterbay Dam in Montana.

Crow Revenue Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2025

Crow Revenue Act This bill addresses the exchange of mineral interests in Montana involving the federal government, the Crow Tribe of Montana, and a private party. Specifically, the bill requires  the Department of the Interior to accept the relinquishment of a specified federal coal lease associated with the Bull Mountains Mine near Roundup, Montana (the current operator of the mine is Signal Peak Energy);  the Joe and Barbara Hope Mineral Trust (Hope Family Trust) to convey approximately 4,660 acres of subsurface mineral interests located within the boundaries of the Crow Indian Reservation in Big Horn County, Montana, to the tribe; and  Interior to convey approximately 4,530 acres of subsurface mineral interests and 940 acres of surface interests located in Musselshell County, Montana, to the Hope Family Trust.  Prior to these conveyances, the tribe must notify Interior that the tribe and the Hope Family Trust have agreed on a revenue-sharing formula for the development of the mineral and surface interests in Musselshell County, Montana. The mineral interests conveyed by the Hope Family Trust to the tribe shall be held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the tribe, upon the tribe's request. These mineral interests shall not be subject to state or local taxation.

BADGES for Native Communities Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2025

Bridging Agency Data Gaps and Ensuring Safety for Native Communities Act or the BADGES for Native Communities Act This bill revises federal policies and procedures related to information sharing, reporting, and investigating cases of missing, unidentified, or murdered Indians. Among other elements, the bill requires the Department of Justice to (1) establish a grant program for specified entities (e.g., tribes) to implement changes to enhance their responses to missing person cases and death investigations of interest to tribes, and (2) work with the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure that federal training resources and culturally appropriate mental health and wellness programs are available to tribal and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) law enforcement officers. The Department of the Interior must establish a five-year demonstration program for the purpose of conducting or adjudicating personnel background investigations for applicants for law enforcement positions in the BIA. The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct specified studies, including a study on the evidence collection, handling, response times, and processing procedures and practices of federal law enforcement agencies.

An original resolution authorizing expenditures by the Committee on Indian Affairs.

United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2025

Technical Correction to the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2025

Technical Correction to the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 This bill authorizes deposit of specified interest payments into the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes Water Rights Development Fund. This fund was established in 2009 under the water rights settlement agreement for the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation.

A bill to provide for the equitable settlement of certain Indian land disputes regarding land in Illinois, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2025

This bill confers jurisdiction to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims for the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma's land claim arising under the Treaty of Grouseland. The court must render judgement without regard to the statute of limitations or any delay-based defense. This jurisdiction expires unless such a claim is filed within one year. All other claims, including any future claims, of the tribe to land in Illinois are extinguished.

Navajo Nation Rio San José Stream System Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2025

Navajo Nation Rio San José Stream System Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 This bill recognizes and settles certain water rights claims in New Mexico of the Navajo Nation. It also establishes and provides funding for a settlement trust fund. Specifically, the bill authorizes, ratifies, and confirms a specified water rights settlement agreement entered into by the Navajo Nation, New Mexico, and others, thus satisfying claims to water rights in the Rio San José Stream System in New Mexico. The bill establishes and provides funding for the Navajo Nation Rio San José Water Rights Settlement Trust Fund (and specified accounts) for purposes of carrying out this bill. Additionally, the bill (1) specifies the water rights of the tribe; and (2) outlines waivers, releases, and retentions of claims by the tribe and the United States. The bill also allows for additional service areas for the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project.

Rio San José and Rio Jemez Water Settlements Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2025

Rio San José and Rio Jemez Water Settlements Act of 2025 This bill recognizes and settles certain water rights claims in New Mexico of (1) the Pueblos of Acoma and Laguna, and (2) the Pueblos of Jemez and Zia. It also establishes and provides funding for settlement trust funds. Specifically, the bill authorizes, ratifies, and confirms a specified water rights settlement agreement entered into by the Pueblo of Acoma, the Pueblo of Laguna, the United States, New Mexico, and others, thus satisfying claims to water rights in the Rio San José Stream System in New Mexico. With respect to the water settlement for the Pueblos of Acoma and Laguna, the bill establishes and provides funding for the Pueblo of Acoma Settlement Trust Fund, the Pueblo of Laguna Settlement Trust Fund, and the Acomita Reservoir Works Trust Fund. Additionally, the bill authorizes, ratifies, and confirms a specified water rights settlement agreement entered into by the Pueblo of Jemez, the Pueblo of Zia, the United States, New Mexico, and others, thus satisfying claims to water rights in the Jemez River Stream System in New Mexico. With respect to the water settlement for the Pueblos of Jemez and Zia, the bill establishes and provides funding for the Pueblo of Jemez Settlement Trust Fund and the Pueblo of Zia Settlement Trust Fund. For both of these agreements, the bill (1) specifies the water rights of the pueblos; and (2) outlines waivers, releases, and retentions of claims by the pueblos and the United States.

Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2025

Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 This bill recognizes and settles certain water rights claims in New Mexico of the pueblo of Zuni and establishes and provides funding for a related settlement trust fund. It also requires federal actions related to the Zuni Salt Lake in New Mexico. Specifically, the bill authorizes, ratifies, and confirms a specified water rights settlement agreement entered into by Zuni, New Mexico, and others, thus satisfying claims to water rights in the Zuni River Stream System in New Mexico. The bill establishes and provides funding for the Zuni Tribe Settlement Trust Fund (and specified accounts) for purposes of carrying out this bill. Additionally, the bill (1) specifies the water rights of the pueblo; and (2) outlines waivers, releases, and retentions of claims by the pueblo and the United States. The bill also withdraws certain federal land in New Mexico from mineral development. The bill reserves this federal land for the following three purposes: (1) the protection of the Zuni Salt Lake and Sanctuary, (2) the protection of the quality and quantity of the Zuni Salt Lake's water supply, and (3) the protection of any cultural resources associated with the Zuni Salt Lake and Sanctuary. The Bureau of Land Management must manage this land. The Department of the Interior must take certain land surrounding the Zuni Salt Lake into trust for the benefit of Zuni.

Ohkay Owingeh Rio Chama Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2025

Ohkay Owingeh Rio Chama Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 This bill recognizes and settles certain water rights claims in New Mexico of the pueblo of Ohkay Owingeh. It also establishes and provides funding for a settlement trust fund. Specifically, the bill authorizes, ratifies, and confirms a specified water rights settlement agreement entered into by Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico, and others, thus satisfying claims to water rights in the Rio Chama Stream System in New Mexico. The bill establishes and provides funding for the Ohkay Owingeh Water Rights Settlement Trust Fund. This trust fund may only be used for five specified purposes, including for activities related to water production, treatment, or delivery infrastructure. The bill also (1) specifies the water rights of the pueblo; and (2) outlines waivers, releases, and retentions of claims by the pueblo and the United States.

Leech Lake Reservation Restoration Amendments Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 18 February 2025

Leech Lake Reservation Restoration Amendments Act of 2025 This bill transfers certain federal land located in the Chippewa National Forest in Cass County, Minnesota, to the Department of the Interior for the benefit of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to transfer for the benefit of the tribe land in the Chippewa National Forest that records maintained by the Bureau of Indian Affairs show was sold without the unanimous consent of the rightful landowners. Upon agreement between USDA and the tribe, USDA shall substitute alternative National Forest System land located in Cass County, Minnesota, on an acre-for-acre basis for those parcels of federal land to be transferred in a manner that avoids inholdings and provides a preference for land adjacent to or near existing Leech Lake trust lands and lands of cultural importance to the tribe, to the maximum extent practicable. USDA may transfer land to Interior on a rolling basis as that land is identified and surveys are completed. USDA, acting through the U.S. Forest Service, must provide for public engagement and comment to implement this bill.

A bill to accept the request to revoke the charter of incorporation of the Lower Sioux Indian Community in the State of Minnesota at the request of that Community, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 18 February 2025

This bill accepts the request of the Lower Sioux Indian Community (a federally recognized Indian tribe in Minnesota) to revoke the community's charter of incorporation.

Veterinary Services to Improve Public Health in Rural Communities Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 February 2025

Veterinary Services to Improve Public Health in Rural Communities Act This bill expands support for public health veterinary services (e.g., disease surveillance or vaccination) in tribal communities to address zoonotic infectious diseases (i.e., diseases that spread between humans and animals). Specifically, the bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Indian Health Service (IHS), to expend funds for public health veterinary services to prevent and control zoonotic disease infection and transmission in IHS areas where the risk for disease occurrence in humans and wildlife is endemic. HHS may assign or deploy veterinary public health officers from the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps to IHS areas. Additionally, HHS must submit a biennial report to Congress on the use of funds, the assignment and deployment of veterinary public health officers from the USPHS Commissioned Corps, data related to the monitoring and disease surveillance of zoonotic diseases, and related services. The bill also includes the IHS as a coordinating agency in the National One Health Framework. (This framework addresses zoonotic diseases and advances public health preparedness in the United States.) The bill requires the Department of Agriculture to conduct a feasibility study on the delivery of oral rabies vaccines to wildlife reservoir species that are connected to the transmission of rabies to tribal members living in Arctic regions of the United States. The study must (1) evaluate the efficacy of the oral rabies vaccines, and (2) make recommendations to improve the delivery of these vaccines.

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Land Claim Settlement Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 19 February 2025

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Land Claim Settlement Act of 2025 This bill directs the Department of the Interior to transfer funds to the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) in Baraga County, Michigan, in order to settle the KBIC's land claims and clear title to those lands. The KBIC may use these funds for any lawful purpose except to acquire land for gaming.

Technical Corrections to the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act, Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Act, and Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 February 2025

Technical Corrections to the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act, Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Act, and Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act This bill authorizes deposits representing unpaid interest into the Navajo Nation Water Resources Development Trust Fund, the Taos Pueblo Water Development Fund, and the Aamodt Settlement Pueblos’ Fund. These funds were established in 2009 and 2010 under certain water rights settlement agreements that did not allow accrual of interest.

A bill to amend the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act to authorize grants to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 18 February 2025

This bill authorizes grants to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations for activities related to recreational travel and tourism. Specifically, the bill authorizes (1) the Bureau of Indian Affairs to make these grants to and enter into agreements with Indian tribes and tribal organizations; (2) the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations to make these grants to and enter into agreements with Native Hawaiian organizations; and (3) other federal agencies to make these grants to and enter into agreements with tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations.

Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project Amendments Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 19 February 2025

Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project Amendments Act of 2025 This bill extends deadlines and otherwise revises the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project. This project was first authorized by the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, which settled the Navajo Nation's water rights in the San Juan Basin of New Mexico. Specifically, the bill extends through December 31, 2029, the deadline for constructing project facilities. The bill allows for additional project service areas, including by allowing the Navajo Nation to expand the project service area in order to deliver water supply from the project to Lupton, Arizona. The bill also sets forth criteria to authorize non-project water to flow outside of the project service area to Navajo communities in Utah. The bill directs the Department of the Interior to take certain land into trust for the benefit of the Navajo Nation. The bill also establishes (1) the Navajo Nation Operations, Maintenance, and Replacement Trust Fund; and (2) the Jicarilla Apache Nation Operations, Maintenance, and Replacement Trust Fund.

IHS Workforce Parity Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 19 February 2025

IHS Workforce Parity Act of 2025 This bill allows recipients of Indian Health Professions Scholarships or participants in the Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program to fulfill their service obligations through half-time clinical practice.

Quapaw Tribal Settlement Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 19 February 2025

Quapaw Tribal Settlement Act of 2025 This bill creates a trust account, funds the account, and establishes a distribution process to settle certain claims between the federal government and the Quapaw Nation (a tribe in Oklahoma).  Specifically, the bill establishes the Quapaw Bear Settlement Trust Account and directs the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Trust Funds Administration to administer all funds appropriated to the trust account.  Interior must make payments to the tribe and individual members of the tribe in accordance with the January 2020 recommendation of the review panel of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. The bill outlines the distribution process for the settlement funds in the trust account.

Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 February 2025

Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act This bill expands the Miccosukee Reserved Area to include a portion of Everglades National Park in Florida that is known as Osceola Camp. The Department of the Interior, in consultation with the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians, must take appropriate actions to protect structures within the Osceola Camp from flooding.

A bill to amend the Grand Ronde Reservation Act to address the hunting, fishing, trapping, and animal gathering rights of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 20 February 2025

This bill provides a process by which the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and Oregon may negotiate to amend or replace the existing agreement defining the tribe's hunting, fishing, trapping, and animal gathering rights. The current agreement, which was made effective by a January 12, 1987, consent decree by the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, serves as the exclusive and final determination of the tribe's hunting, fishing, trapping, and gathering rights. This bill instead allows a December 2, 1986, agreement between the United States, Oregon, and the tribe (known as the Grand Ronde Hunting and Fishing Agreement) to define the tribe's rights until and unless it is amended or replaced upon mutual agreement of the tribe and Oregon. The bill allows the tribe and Oregon to return to the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon to request the modification or termination of the January 12, 1987, consent decree. The bill prohibits a new or amended agreement from (1) affecting the other rights of the tribe or any other Indian tribe, (2) limiting Oregon from entering into separate agreements with other tribes to address the authority to take species within the geographic scope of the agreement, or (3) being used in a civil or criminal action to modify any treaty or other right of a tribe.

Tule River Tribe Reserved Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2025

Tule River Tribe Reserved Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 This bill recognizes and settles the water rights of the Tule River Indian Tribe of the Tule River Reservation in California. It also establishes and provides funding for a settlement trust fund. Specifically, the bill authorizes, ratifies, and confirms a specified water rights settlement agreement entered into by the tribe, the South Tule Independent Ditch Company, and the Tule River Association, thus satisfying claims to water rights in California. Additionally, the bill outlines the tribe's water rights, including the right to divert and use 5,828 acre-feet of water per year from the South Fork Tule River. Next, the bill establishes and provides funding for the Tule River Indian Tribe Settlement Trust Fund. Amounts deposited in this trust fund shall be made available to the tribe for water development projects. The bill also transfers specified lands, including a portion of federal lands in the Sequoia National Forest, into trust for the benefit of the tribe. The bill outlines waivers, releases, and retentions of claims by the tribe and the United States under the settlement agreement.

Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2025

Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act of 2025 This bill specifies that the Indian Health Service (IHS) must reimburse patients for their out-of-pocket costs for authorized purchased/referred care services within 30 days. (The IHS provides medical and dental services directly to American Indian and Alaska Native patients whenever possible. However, when services are not available, IHS beneficiaries may be referred to private providers. This is called purchased/referred care.) Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish and implement procedures to allow a patient who paid out of pocket for purchased/referred care services authorized by the IHS to be reimbursed by the IHS for that payment no later than 30 days after the patient submits required documentation.  Additionally, the bill requires HHS to update applicable provisions of and exhibits to the Indian Health Manual, contracts with providers, and other relevant documents and administrative authorities to incorporate the provisions of the bill. The bill also replaces statutory references to contract health service with purchased/referred care .

Tribal Forest Protection Act Amendments Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2025

Tribal Forest Protection Act Amendments Act of 2025 This bill reauthorizes through FY2031 the Tribal Forest Protection Act (TFPA) and expands the lands and activities eligible for inclusion in the TFPA. Currently under the TFPA, the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) may enter into contracts and agreements with Indian tribes for tribes to carry out land management projects on federal lands. These projects are designed to protect Indian forest lands and rangelands from wildfire, disease, and other threats coming from federal lands. However, the TFPA is currently limited to projects on federal lands that border or are adjacent to Indian forest lands and rangelands under the jurisdiction of the tribe. This bill removes certain limitations of the TFPA, first by expanding the definition of Indian forest land or rangeland to include land in Alaska that is held by Alaska Native corporations, thereby allowing these corporations to participate in TFPA projects. Additionally, the bill removes the requirement that TFPA projects must occur on federal lands that border or are adjacent to Indian forest lands or rangelands. The bill instead requires the federal land involved to have a special geographic, historical, or cultural significance to the tribe. The bill allows TFPA projects to be carried out directly on Indian forest lands and rangelands. (Currently, the TFPA only applies to work conducted on federal lands and not on tribal lands.) The bill also updates a requirement for Interior and USDA to report to Congress on TFPA activities.

Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2025

Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act of 2025 This bill sets forth requirements for the processing of a proposed residential leasehold mortgage, business leasehold mortgage, land mortgage, or right-of-way document by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). The BIA must notify lenders upon receipt of such documentation, perform a preliminary review of such documents not later than 10 days after receipt, and approve or disapprove of such documents within 20 or 30 days, depending on the type of application. Additionally, the bill sets forth requirements for the BIA regarding (1) response times for the completion of certified title status reports, (2) notification of delays in processing, and (3) the form of notices and delivery of certain reports. The bill also provides relevant federal agencies and Indian tribes with read-only access to the Trust Asset and Accounting Management System maintained by the BIA. The Government Accountability Office must report on digitizing documents for the purpose of streamlining and expediting the completion of mortgage packages for residential mortgages on Indian land. Finally, the bill establishes within the BIA's Division of Real Estate Services the position of Realty Ombudsman.

Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2025

Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2025 This bill establishes the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States within the legislative branch and sets forth its powers, duties, and membership. Among other duties, the commission must investigate the impacts and ongoing effects of the Indian Boarding School Policies (federal policies under which American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children were forcibly removed from their family homes and placed in boarding schools). Further, the commission must develop recommendations on ways to (1) protect unmarked graves and accompanying land protections; (2) support repatriation and identify the tribal nations from which children were taken; and (3) discontinue the removal of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children from their families and tribal communities by state social service departments, foster care agencies, and adoption agencies.

A bill to reaffirm the applicability of the Indian Reorganization Act to the Lytton Rancheria of California, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2025

This bill applies the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) to the Lytton Rancheria of California. Additionally, the bill authorizes the Department of the Interior to acquire and take land into trust for the benefit of the tribe under the IRA. Land taken into trust shall be part of the tribe's reservation. A 2009 Supreme Court case, Carcieri v. Salazar , decided that Interior could not take land into trust for a specified tribe because that tribe had not been under federal jurisdiction when the IRA was enacted in 1934. This bill (1) affirms the applicability of the IRA to the Lytton Rancheria of California, thereby deeming the tribe to be under federal jurisdiction as of June 18, 1934, for purposes of the IRA; and (2) authorizes Interior to take land into trust for the benefit of the tribe.

Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2025

Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 This bill recognizes and settles certain water rights claims in Arizona of the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe. It also provides funding for a water pipeline and three settlement trust funds.  Specifically, the bill authorizes, ratifies, and confirms a specified water rights settlement agreement entered into by the tribes, the United States, Arizona, and others, thus satisfying claims to water rights in Arizona (including with respect to the Little Colorado River and the Colorado River). Additionally, the bill outlines the water rights of the tribes. For example, the bill allocates and assigns Colorado River water from Arizona's share to the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe. The bill establishes and provides funding for an implementation fund account for the Bureau of Reclamation to plan, design, and construct a pipeline to deliver water to the tribes. Further, the bill establishes and provides funding for the Navajo Nation Water Settlement Trust Fund, the Hopi Tribe Water Settlement Trust Fund, and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe Water Settlement Trust Fund. The bill also establishes a reservation consisting of approximately 5,400 acres of land in Arizona and Utah for the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe by ratifying and confirming the treaty entered into by the Navajo Nation and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe. The bill outlines waivers, releases, and retention of claims by the tribes and the United States under the settlement agreement.

Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2025

Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act This bill extends from 72 hours to 15 days the time period to notify the Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) program of emergency medical care received from a non-Indian Health Service (IHS) medical provider or at a non-IHS medical facility. This bill does not apply to individuals who are elderly or disabled, who continue to have a 30-day notification requirement for emergency services. The IHS provides medical and dental services directly to American Indian and Alaska Native patients whenever possible. The PRC program pays for medical or dental care that is provided away from an IHS or tribal health care facility. The PRC program must be notified of requests for authorization of payment for health care services from a non-IHS provider. Currently in emergency cases, the patient, an individual on behalf of the patient, or the medical care provider must, within 72 hours after the beginning of treatment for the condition or after admission to a health care facility, notify a PRC authorizing official of the need for the emergency medical care. This bill instead allows the patient, other individual, or provider to notify PRC within 15 days of the treatment or admission.

Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2025

Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act of 2025 This bill takes approximately 204.14 acres of specified lands in El Dorado County, California, into trust for the benefit of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians. The bill revokes a specified public land order and administratively transfers the land from the Forest Service to the Department of the Interior. (In the public land order, the land was designated for use by the Forest Service as an experiment station.) The bill directs Interior to take the following lands into trust for the benefit of the tribe: (1) approximately 85.3 acres of federal land managed by Interior's Bureau of Land Management (which includes the land transferred from the Forest Service), and (2) approximately 118.84 acres of fee land held by the tribe. These combined lands, approximately 204.14 acres, shall be part of the tribe's reservation. Further, the bill prohibits gaming on the land taken into trust.

Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2025

Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act This bill takes approximately 1,082.63 acres of specified lands in Washington into trust for the benefit of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. Land taken into trust shall be part of the tribe's reservation. Further, the bill prohibits gaming on the land taken into trust.

Quinault Indian Nation Land Transfer Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2025

Quinault Indian Nation Land Transfer Act This bill administratively transfers approximately 72 acres of specified lands in Washington from the U.S. Forest Service to the Department of the Interior. Interior must take this land into trust for the benefit of the Quinault Indian Nation. Land taken into trust shall be part of the tribe's reservation. The bill prohibits gaming on the land taken into trust. The bill requires Interior, for purposes of taking the land into trust, to meet the disclosure requirements for hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants, without otherwise being required to remediate or abate those hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants.

Pit River Land Transfer Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2025

Pit River Land Transfer Act of 2025 This bill takes approximately 603.94 acres of specified lands in California into trust for the benefit of the Pit River Tribe. Specifically, the bill directs the Department of the Interior to take the following lands into trust for the benefit of the tribe: (1) approximately 583.79 acres of federal land managed by the Forest Service (but excluding approximately 20.03 acres of roads, highways, and public rights-of-way subject to existing easements), and (2) approximately 40.18 acres of fee land held by the tribe. These combined lands, approximately 603.94 acres, shall be part of the tribe's reservation. Further, the bill prohibits gaming on the land taken into trust.