Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2025

Bill: 119-hr-43
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Begich, Nicholas [R-AK-At Large]
Introduced: 2025-01-03
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Alaska

Alaska Natives and Hawaiians

Indian lands and resources rights

Land transfers
Latest action: action_date: 2025-07-07
text: Became Public Law No: 119-23.

Summaries:
action_date: 2025-01-03
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2025</strong></p><p>This bill removes the requirement that Alaska Native village corporations must convey lands to Alaska to be held in trust for future municipal governments.&nbsp;</p><p>The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) requires all Alaska Native village corporations that receive land under the ANCSA to convey certain lands to the existing municipality in the village or, if no municipality exists, to Alaska in trust for any municipality that may be established in the future. This bill removes the requirement for conveyance. Additionally, the bill allows village corporations to regain title to the lands held in trust by dissolving the trust through formal resolution by the village corporation and the residents of the Native village.</p>

tv_txt: I One Hundred Nineteenth Congress of the United States of America At the First Session Begun and held at the City of Washington on Friday, the third day of January, two thousand and twenty-five H. R. 43 AN ACT To amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to provide that Village Corporations shall not be required to convey land in trust to the State of Alaska for the establishment of Municipal Corporations, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2025 . 2. Reversion of certain land conveyed in trust to the State of Alaska Section 14(c) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act ( 43 U.S.C. 1613(c) ) is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (5) as subparagraphs (A) through (E), respectively, and indenting appropriately; (2) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) (as so redesignated), by striking (c) Each patent and inserting the following: (c) Conveyance of certain land by Village Corporation (1) In general Each patent ; (3) in paragraph (1) (as so designated), in the undesignated matter following subparagraph (E) (as so redesignated), in the first sentence— (A) by striking section 14(c) of this Act and inserting this subsection ; and (B) by striking There is authorized and inserting the following: (2) Technical assistance (A) In general There are authorized ; (4) in paragraph (2)(A) (as so redesignated), in the second sentence, by striking The Secretary and inserting the following: (B) Form of funding The Secretary ; and (5) in paragraph (1) (as so designated)— (A) in each of subparagraphs (A) and (B) (as so redesignated)— (i) by striking the the first place it appears and inserting The ; and (ii) by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting a period; (B) in subparagraph (D) (as so redesignated), by striking the the first place it appears and inserting The ; (C) by striking existed as of in subparagraph (D) (as so redesignated) and all that follows through for in subparagraph (E) (as so redesignated) and inserting the following: “existed as of December 18, 1971. (E) For ; and (D) in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated)— (i) by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting a period; (ii) by striking in trust: Provided, however, That the word and all that follows through sentence, and inserting the following: “in trust. (II) Definition of sale For purposes of subclause (I), the term sale ; (iii) by striking one thousand two hundred and eighty acres: Provided further, That any net and inserting the following: “1,280 acres. (iii) Net revenues (I) In general Any net ; (iv) by striking community needs: Provided, That the and inserting the following: “community needs. (ii) Minimum acreage The ; (v) by striking (C) the Village Corporation and inserting the following: (C) Conveyance to Municipal Corporation or the State in trust (i) In general The Village Corporation ; and (vi) by adding at the end the following: (iv) Cases in which conveyance shall not be required (I) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of this subparagraph, if a Village Corporation, prior to the date of enactment of the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2025 , conveyed to the State in trust all or a portion of the acreage of land required to be conveyed under this subparagraph for the establishment of a Municipal Corporation in the future, and a Municipal Corporation has not been established as of that date of enactment, on formal resolution by the Village Corporation and the residents of the Native village requesting dissolution of the trust, the trust shall be dissolved and title to the land shall revert to the Village Corporation, subject to subclause (III). (II) Additional land Notwithstanding any other provision of this subparagraph, as of the date of enactment of the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2025 , a Village Corporation shall not be required to convey any additional land in trust under this subparagraph for the establishment of a Municipal Corporation in the future. (III) Requirements In accordance with subsection (g)— (aa) the reversion of land to a Village Corporation pursuant to subclause (I) shall be subject to— (AA) valid existing rights created by the applicable trust; and (BB) any existing easements, rights-of-way necessary for public roadway access, or rights-of-way for access of holders of valid existing rights; and (bb) the Village Corporation shall assume the obligations of the applicable trust with respect to any lease or other use agreement applicable to the land on reversion of the land to the Village Corporation pursuant to subclause (I). .

Speaker of the House of Representatives. Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.

tv_txt: II 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 43 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 5, 2025 Received AN ACT To amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to provide that Village Corporations shall not be required to convey land in trust to the State of Alaska for the establishment of Municipal Corporations, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2025 . 2. Reversion of certain land conveyed in trust to the State of Alaska Section 14(c) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act ( 43 U.S.C. 1613(c) ) is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (5) as subparagraphs (A) through (E), respectively, and indenting appropriately; (2) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) (as so redesignated), by striking (c) Each patent and inserting the following: (c) Conveyance of certain land by Village Corporation (1) In general Each patent ; (3) in paragraph (1) (as so designated), in the undesignated matter following subparagraph (E) (as so redesignated), in the first sentence— (A) by striking section 14(c) of this Act and inserting this subsection ; and (B) by striking There is authorized and inserting the following: (2) Technical assistance (A) In general There are authorized ; (4) in paragraph (2)(A) (as so redesignated), in the second sentence, by striking The Secretary and inserting the following: (B) Form of funding The Secretary ; and (5) in paragraph (1) (as so designated)— (A) in each of subparagraphs (A) and (B) (as so redesignated)— (i) by striking the the first place it appears and inserting The ; and (ii) by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting a period; (B) in subparagraph (D) (as so redesignated), by striking the the first place it appears and inserting The ; (C) by striking existed as of in subparagraph (D) (as so redesignated) and all that follows through for in subparagraph (E) (as so redesignated) and inserting the following: “existed as of December 18, 1971. (E) For ; and (D) in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated)— (i) by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting a period; (ii) by striking in trust: Provided, however, That the word and all that follows through sentence, and inserting the following: “in trust. (II) Definition of sale For purposes of subclause (I), the term sale ; (iii) by striking one thousand two hundred and eighty acres: Provided further, That any net and inserting the following: “1,280 acres. (iii) Net revenues (I) In general Any net ; (iv) by striking community needs: Provided, That the and inserting the following: “community needs. (ii) Minimum acreage The ; (v) by striking (C) the Village Corporation and inserting the following: (C) Conveyance to Municipal Corporation or the State in trust (i) In general The Village Corporation ; and (vi) by adding at the end the following: (iv) Cases in which conveyance shall not be required (I) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of this subparagraph, if a Village Corporation, prior to the date of enactment of the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2025 , conveyed to the State in trust all or a portion of the acreage of land required to be conveyed under this subparagraph for the establishment of a Municipal Corporation in the future, and a Municipal Corporation has not been established as of that date of enactment, on formal resolution by the Village Corporation and the residents of the Native village requesting dissolution of the trust, the trust shall be dissolved and title to the land shall revert to the Village Corporation, subject to subclause (III). (II) Additional land Notwithstanding any other provision of this subparagraph, as of the date of enactment of the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2025 , a Village Corporation shall not be required to convey any additional land in trust under this subparagraph for the establishment of a Municipal Corporation in the future. (III) Requirements In accordance with subsection (g)— (aa) the reversion of land to a Village Corporation pursuant to subclause (I) shall be subject to— (AA) valid existing rights created by the applicable trust; and (BB) any existing easements, rights-of-way necessary for public roadway access, or rights-of-way for access of holders of valid existing rights; and (bb) the Village Corporation shall assume the obligations of the applicable trust with respect to any lease or other use agreement applicable to the land on reversion of the land to the Village Corporation pursuant to subclause (I). .

Passed the House of Representatives February 4, 2025. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.

tv_txt: I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 43 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to provide that Village Corporations shall not be required to convey land in trust to the State of Alaska for the establishment of Municipal Corporations, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2025 . 2. Reversion of certain land conveyed in trust to the State of Alaska Section 14(c) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act ( 43 U.S.C. 1613(c) ) is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (5) as subparagraphs (A) through (E), respectively, and indenting appropriately; (2) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) (as so redesignated), by striking (c) Each patent and inserting the following: (c) Conveyance of certain land by Village Corporation (1) In general Each patent ; (3) in paragraph (1) (as so designated), in the undesignated matter following subparagraph (E) (as so redesignated), in the first sentence— (A) by striking section 14(c) of this Act and inserting this subsection ; and (B) by striking There is authorized and inserting the following: (2) Technical assistance (A) In general There are authorized ; (4) in paragraph (2)(A) (as so redesignated), in the second sentence, by striking The Secretary and inserting the following: (B) Form of funding The Secretary ; and (5) in paragraph (1) (as so designated)— (A) in each of subparagraphs (A) and (B) (as so redesignated)— (i) by striking the the first place it appears and inserting The ; and (ii) by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting a period; (B) in subparagraph (D) (as so redesignated), by striking the the first place it appears and inserting The ; (C) by striking existed as of in subparagraph (D) (as so redesignated) and all that follows through for in subparagraph (E) (as so redesignated) and inserting the following: “existed as of December 18, 1971. (E) For ; and (D) in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated)— (i) by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting a period; (ii) by striking in trust: Provided, however, That the word and all that follows through sentence, and inserting the following: “in trust. (II) Definition of sale For purposes of subclause (I), the term sale ; (iii) by striking one thousand two hundred and eighty acres: Provided further, That any net and inserting the following: “1,280 acres. (iii) Net revenues (I) In general Any net ; (iv) by striking community needs: Provided, That the and inserting the following: “community needs. (ii) Minimum acreage The ; (v) by striking (C) the Village Corporation and inserting the following: (C) Conveyance to Municipal Corporation or the State in trust (i) In general The Village Corporation ; and (vi) by adding at the end the following: (iv) Cases in which conveyance shall not be required (I) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of this subparagraph, if a Village Corporation, prior to the date of enactment of the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2025 , conveyed to the State in trust all or a portion of the acreage of land required to be conveyed under this subparagraph for the establishment of a Municipal Corporation in the future, and a Municipal Corporation has not been established as of that date of enactment, on formal resolution by the Village Corporation and the residents of the Native village requesting dissolution of the trust, the trust shall be dissolved and title to the land shall revert to the Village Corporation, subject to subclause (III). (II) Additional land Notwithstanding any other provision of this subparagraph, as of the date of enactment of the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2025 , a Village Corporation shall not be required to convey any additional land in trust under this subparagraph for the establishment of a Municipal Corporation in the future. (III) Requirements In accordance with subsection (g)— (aa) the reversion of land to a Village Corporation pursuant to subclause (I) shall be subject to— (AA) valid existing rights created by the applicable trust; and (BB) any existing easements, rights-of-way necessary for public roadway access, or rights-of-way for access of holders of valid existing rights; and (bb) the Village Corporation shall assume the obligations of the applicable trust with respect to any lease or other use agreement applicable to the land on reversion of the land to the Village Corporation pursuant to subclause (I). .

Passed the House of Representatives February 4, 2025. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.

tv_txt: I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 43 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 3, 2025 Mr. Begich introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources A BILL To amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to provide that Village Corporations shall not be required to convey land in trust to the State of Alaska for the establishment of Municipal Corporations, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2025 . 2. Reversion of certain land conveyed in trust to the State of Alaska Section 14(c) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act ( 43 U.S.C. 1613(c) ) is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (5) as subparagraphs (A) through (E), respectively, and indenting appropriately; (2) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) (as so redesignated), by striking (c) Each patent and inserting the following: (c) Conveyance of certain land by Village Corporation (1) In general Each patent ; (3) in paragraph (1) (as so designated), in the undesignated matter following subparagraph (E) (as so redesignated), in the first sentence— (A) by striking section 14(c) of this Act and inserting this subsection ; and (B) by striking There is authorized and inserting the following: (2) Technical assistance (A) In general There are authorized ; (4) in paragraph (2)(A) (as so redesignated), in the second sentence, by striking The Secretary and inserting the following: (B) Form of funding The Secretary ; and (5) in paragraph (1) (as so designated)— (A) in each of subparagraphs (A) and (B) (as so redesignated)— (i) by striking the the first place it appears and inserting The ; and (ii) by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting a period; (B) in subparagraph (D) (as so redesignated), by striking the the first place it appears and inserting The ; (C) by striking existed as of in subparagraph (D) (as so redesignated) and all that follows through for in subparagraph (E) (as so redesignated) and inserting the following: “existed as of December 18, 1971. (E) For ; and (D) in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated)— (i) by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting a period; (ii) by striking in trust: Provided, however, That the word and all that follows through sentence, and inserting the following: “in trust. (II) Definition of sale For purposes of subclause (I), the term sale ; (iii) by striking one thousand two hundred and eighty acres: Provided further, That any net and inserting the following: “1,280 acres. (iii) Net revenues (I) In general Any net ; (iv) by striking community needs: Provided, That the and inserting the following: “community needs. (ii) Minimum acreage The ; (v) by striking (C) the Village Corporation and inserting the following: (C) Conveyance to Municipal Corporation or the State in trust (i) In general The Village Corporation ; and (vi) by adding at the end the following: (iv) Cases in which conveyance shall not be required (I) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of this subparagraph, if a Village Corporation, prior to the date of enactment of the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2025 , conveyed to the State in trust all or a portion of the acreage of land required to be conveyed under this subparagraph for the establishment of a Municipal Corporation in the future, and a Municipal Corporation has not been established as of that date of enactment, on formal resolution by the Village Corporation and the residents of the Native village requesting dissolution of the trust, the trust shall be dissolved and title to the land shall revert to the Village Corporation, subject to subclause (III). (II) Additional land Notwithstanding any other provision of this subparagraph, as of the date of enactment of the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2025 , a Village Corporation shall not be required to convey any additional land in trust under this subparagraph for the establishment of a Municipal Corporation in the future. (III) Requirements In accordance with subsection (g)— (aa) the reversion of land to a Village Corporation pursuant to subclause (I) shall be subject to— (AA) valid existing rights created by the applicable trust; and (BB) any existing easements, rights-of-way necessary for public roadway access, or rights-of-way for access of holders of valid existing rights; and (bb) the Village Corporation shall assume the obligations of the applicable trust with respect to any lease or other use agreement applicable to the land on reversion of the land to the Village Corporation pursuant to subclause (I). .