Indian Trust Asset Reform Act

Bill: 114-hr-812
Sponsor: Rep. Simpson, Michael K. [R-ID-2]
Introduced: 2015-02-09 in the House
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Congressional oversight
Department of the Interior
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Federal-Indian relations
Forests, forestry, trees
Government information and archives
Indian lands and resources rights
Judicial review and appeals
Land use and conservation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-02-09
text: 

Indian Trust Asset Reform Act

 
 Reaffirms the federal government's fiduciary responsibilities to Indians. 
 
 
Indian Trust Asset Management Demonstration Project Act of 2015

 
Directs the Department of the Interior to establish a 10 year (but may be extended at Interior's discretion) Indian trust asset management demonstration project that allows Indian tribes to propose Indian trust asset management plans.
 
 Authorizes Interior to establish an Under Secretary for Indian Affairs who is to: (1) report directly to the Secretary of the Interior; (2) assume the functions of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs; and (3) coordinate with the Special Trustee for American Indians to ensure an orderly transition of the functions of the Special Trustee to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, or to any other agency or bureau within Interior. 
 
Requires Interior to prepare a transition plan and timetable for the termination of the Office of Special Trustee for American Indians. 

action_date: 2016-02-24
text: 

Indian Trust Asset Reform Act

 
TITLE I--RECOGNITION OF TRUST RESPONSIBILITY
 
 (Sec. 102) This bill reaffirms the federal government's duty to promote tribal self-determination.
 
TITLE II--INDIAN TRUST ASSET MANAGEMENT DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
 

Indian Trust Asset Management Demonstration Project Act of 2016

 
(Sec. 203) The Department of the Interior must establish an Indian trust asset management demonstration project that allows tribes to propose Indian trust asset management plans. To be approved by Interior, these plans must establish objectives and priorities for trust assets and allocate sufficient funding for asset management to meet the objectives and priorities.
 
(Sec. 205) Interior may approve a trust asset management plan that allows the Indian tribe to enter into, approve, and carry out a surface leasing transaction or forest land management activity without Interior's approval, under certain conditions.
 
The United States is not liable for losses that result from: (1) a forest land management activity or lease under a trust asset management plan, or (2) management standards under a trust asset management plan that are less-stringent than Interior otherwise requires.
 
TITLE III--IMPROVING EFFICIENCY AND STREAMLINING PROCESSES
 
 (Sec. 303) Interior may establish an Under Secretary for Indian Affairs who is to report directly to the Secretary of the Interior and coordinate with the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians (OST) to ensure an orderly transition of the functions of the OST to an agency or bureau within Interior. 
 
(Sec. 304) Interior must prepare a transition plan and timetable for the termination of the OST.
 
(Sec. 305) Appraisals and valuations of Indian trust property must be administered by a single administrative entity within Interior.
 
Interior must establish minimum qualifications for individuals to prepare appraisals and valuations of Indian trust property. An appraisal or valuation by a qualified person is considered final without being reviewed or approved by Interior.
 
(Sec. 306) Representatives of entities that advise Interior on Indian program budget or funding issues may make recommendations regarding the use of savings realized from the transfer of the functions of the OST.

action_date: 2016-06-10
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on February 24, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
 

Indian Trust Asset Reform Act

 
TITLE I--RECOGNITION OF TRUST RESPONSIBILITY
 
 (Sec. 102) This bill reaffirms the federal government's duty to promote tribal self-determination.
 
TITLE II--INDIAN TRUST ASSET MANAGEMENT DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
 

Indian Trust Asset Management Demonstration Project Act of 2016

 
(Sec. 203) The Department of the Interior must establish an Indian trust asset management demonstration project that allows tribes to propose Indian trust asset management plans. To be approved by Interior, these plans must establish objectives and priorities for trust assets and allocate sufficient funding for asset management to meet the objectives and priorities.
 
(Sec. 205) Interior may approve a trust asset management plan that allows the Indian tribe to enter into, approve, and carry out a surface leasing transaction or forest land management activity without Interior's approval, under certain conditions.
 
The United States is not liable for losses that result from: (1) a forest land management activity or lease under a trust asset management plan, or (2) management standards under a trust asset management plan that are less-stringent than Interior otherwise requires.
 
TITLE III--IMPROVING EFFICIENCY AND STREAMLINING PROCESSES
 
 (Sec. 303) Interior may establish an Under Secretary for Indian Affairs who is to report directly to the Secretary of the Interior and coordinate with the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians (OST) to ensure an orderly transition of the functions of the OST to an agency or bureau within Interior. 
 
(Sec. 304) Interior must prepare a transition plan and timetable for the termination of the OST.
 
(Sec. 305) Appraisals and valuations of Indian trust property must be administered by a single administrative entity within Interior.
 
Interior must establish minimum qualifications for individuals to prepare appraisals and valuations of Indian trust property. An appraisal or valuation by a qualified person is considered final without being reviewed or approved by Interior.
 
(Sec. 306) Representatives of entities that advise Interior on Indian program budget or funding issues may make recommendations regarding the use of savings realized from the transfer of the functions of the OST.

action_date: 2016-06-22
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on February 24, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
 

Indian Trust Asset Reform Act

 
TITLE I--RECOGNITION OF TRUST RESPONSIBILITY
 
 (Sec. 102) This bill reaffirms the federal government's duty to promote tribal self-determination.
 
TITLE II--INDIAN TRUST ASSET MANAGEMENT DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
 

Indian Trust Asset Management Demonstration Project Act of 2016

 
(Sec. 203) The Department of the Interior must establish an Indian trust asset management demonstration project that allows tribes to propose Indian trust asset management plans. To be approved by Interior, these plans must establish objectives and priorities for trust assets and allocate sufficient funding for asset management to meet the objectives and priorities.
 
(Sec. 205) Interior may approve a trust asset management plan that allows the Indian tribe to enter into, approve, and carry out a surface leasing transaction or forest land management activity without Interior's approval, under certain conditions.
 
The United States is not liable for losses that result from: (1) a forest land management activity or lease under a trust asset management plan, or (2) management standards under a trust asset management plan that are less-stringent than Interior otherwise requires.
 
TITLE III--IMPROVING EFFICIENCY AND STREAMLINING PROCESSES
 
 (Sec. 303) Interior may establish an Under Secretary for Indian Affairs who is to report directly to the Secretary of the Interior and coordinate with the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians (OST) to ensure an orderly transition of the functions of the OST to an agency or bureau within Interior. 
 
(Sec. 304) Interior must prepare a transition plan and timetable for the termination of the OST.
 
(Sec. 305) Appraisals and valuations of Indian trust property must be administered by a single administrative entity within Interior.
 
Interior must establish minimum qualifications for individuals to prepare appraisals and valuations of Indian trust property. An appraisal or valuation by a qualified person is considered final without being reviewed or approved by Interior.
 
(Sec. 306) Representatives of entities that advise Interior on Indian program budget or funding issues may make recommendations regarding the use of savings realized from the transfer of the functions of the OST.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-06-22
text: Became Public Law No: 114-178.
action_date: 2016-06-22
text: Became Public Law No: 114-178.
action_date: 2016-06-22
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2016-06-22
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2016-06-17
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2016-06-17
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2016-06-10
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2016-06-10
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3812)
action_date: 2016-06-10
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S3812)
action_date: 2016-02-25
text: Received in the Senate, read twice.
action_date: 2016-02-24
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2016-02-24
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H880-882)
action_date: 2016-02-24
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H880-882)
action_date: 2016-02-24
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 812.
action_date: 2016-02-24
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H879-884)
action_date: 2016-02-24
text: Mr. McClintock moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2016-02-24
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 329.
action_date: 2016-02-24
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 114-432.
action_date: 2016-02-24
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 114-432.
action_date: 2016-02-03
text: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2016-02-03
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2016-02-02
text: Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs Discharged.
action_date: 2016-02-02
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2015-04-14
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2015-03-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs.
action_date: 2015-02-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-02-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-02-09
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 114-178