jiayi-li23/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Public Lands — Indigenous Affairs
Subject: Native Americans
Date: 2015-01-13 00:00:00

American Indian Empowerment Act of 2015

 Requires the Secretary of the Interior to transfer land the federal government holds in trust for a federally recognized Indian tribe to such tribe as restricted fee tribal land, subject to a restriction against alienation and taxation, after receiving the Indian tribe's request for such transfer. (Restricted fee tribal land is land to which a tribe holds legal title, but which carries legal restrictions against alienation or encumbrance.)

Allows Indian tribes to lease, or grant an easement or right-of-way on, restricted fee tribal land for any period of time without the Secretary's review and approval.

Gives the laws of a federally recognized Indian tribe that establish a system of land tenure governing the use of the land the tribe holds precedence over any federal law or regulation governing the use of such land, excepting a federal restriction against its alienation and taxation.
Topic: Public Lands — Indigenous Affairs
Subject: Native Americans
Date: 2015-01-13 00:00:00

Indian Employment, Training and Related Services Consolidation Act of 2016

 (Sec. 2) This bill amends the Indian Employment, Training and Related Services Demonstration Act of 1992 to rename the Act to the Indian Employment, Training and Related Services Act of 1992 and to revise the program that provides for the integration of employment, training, and related services programs for Indian tribes.

(Sec. 6) The bill revises the types of programs that may be integrated. (Sec. 8) The bill revises the process for: (1) federal agencies to grant or deny a tribe's request to waive statutory, regulatory, or administrative requirements to efficiently implement an integration plan; and (2) the Department of the Interior to approve or disapprove an integration plan. A tribe is granted certain hearing and appeal rights if Interior disapproves its plan.

 (Sec. 10) Tribal authority to use funds to place participants in training positions with employers is revised.

 (Sec. 13) The Bureau of Indian Affairs must receive and distribute funds for use in accordance with an approved integration plan.

(Sec. 14) Funds transferred to a tribe must be treated as non-federal funds for purposes of meeting matching requirements, except funds administered by the Department of Labor or the Department of Health and Human Services. Civil liability limitations apply to approved integration plans.
Topic: Public Lands — Indigenous Affairs
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2015-01-13 00:00:00

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow Alaska Native Corporations an increased tax deduction for donations of conservation easements related to lands conveyed under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. Permits a 15-year carryover of contribution amounts that exceed annual limitations on the amount of such tax deduction.
Topic: Public Lands — Indigenous Affairs
Subject: Native Americans
Date: 2015-01-14 00:00:00

American Indian Teacher Loan Forgiveness Act of 2015

Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide up to $17,500 of loan forgiveness to borrowers under the Federal Family Education Loan program or the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program who: (1) are a member of an Indian tribe, and (2) have been employed as a full-time teacher for five consecutive complete school years in an Indian school or in a local educational agency that serves at least 10 Indian students or whose schools have an enrollment of students at least 25% of which are Indians.
Topic: Public Lands — Indigenous Affairs
Subject: Native Americans
Date: 2015-01-14 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.)

Economic Development Through Tribal Land Exchange Act

(Sec. 3) This bill provides for the disposition of four parcels of land in California. The Department of the Interior must transfer 41.15 acres designated as Morongo lands to Lloyd L. Fields in exchange for 41.15 acres owned by Fields to be held in trust for the Morongo Band of Mission Indians.

The City of Banning is granted a 1.76 acre easement for a public right-of-way in exchange for 1.21 acres of land to be held in trust for the Tribe.
Topic: Public Lands — Indigenous Affairs
Subject: Native Americans
Date: 2015-01-14 00:00:00

Indian Health Service Advance Appropriations Act of 2015 

This bill amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to authorize advance appropriations for the Indian Health Services and Indian Health Facilities accounts of the Indian Health Service. The advance appropriations provide new budget authority that first becomes available in the first fiscal year after the budget year. The bill requires the President's budget and the supporting documents submitted to Congress to include detailed estimates related to the advance appropriations.
Topic: Public Lands — Indigenous Affairs
Subject: Native Americans
Date: 2015-01-20 00:00:00

Amends the Indian Reorganization Act to apply the Act to all federally recognized Indian tribes, regardless of when any tribe became recognized. (This effectively overrules the Supreme Court's decision in Carcieri v. Salazar, which held that the Secretary of the Interior could not take land into trust for a specified tribe because that tribe had not been under federal jurisdiction when the Act was enacted.)

Ratifies and confirms any action taken by the Secretary pursuant to such Act for any Indian tribe that was federally recognized on the date of that action.
Topic: Public Lands — Indigenous Affairs
Subject: Native Americans
Date: 2015-01-22 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.)

(Sec. 1) Allows the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma to lease, sell, convey, warrant, or transfer all or any part of its interests in any real property that is not held in trust by the United States for the tribe.
Topic: Public Lands — Indigenous Affairs
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Date: 2015-01-22 00:00:00

(Sec. 1) Directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to convey to the Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation in Bethel, Alaska, all U.S. interest in specified property for use in connection with health and social services programs.

Declares that such conveyance shall not: (1) require any consideration from or impose any obligation, term, or condition on the Corporation; or (2) allow for any U.S. reversionary interest in the property.

(Sec. 3) Shields the Corporation from liability for any soil, surface water, groundwater, or other contamination resulting from the disposal, release, or presence of environmental contamination on any of the property on or before it is conveyed to the Corporation.

Accords to HHS any easement or access to the conveyed property as may be necessary to satisfy any retained obligations and liability. Requires HHS to comply with Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 requirements in carrying out such conveyance.
Topic: Public Lands — Indigenous Affairs
Subject: Native Americans
Date: 2015-01-26 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Accepts the request of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma to revoke the charter of incorporation issued to that tribe and ratified by its members on June 1, 1940.
Topic: Public Lands — Indigenous Affairs
Subject: Native Americans
Date: 2015-02-03 00:00:00

Non-Disparagement of Native American Persons or Peoples in Trademark Registration Act of 2015

Amends the Trademark Act of 1946 to conclusively presume that a mark that uses the term "redskin" or any derivation of that term consists of matter which may disparage persons if: (1) it has been, is, or is intended to be used in commerce in connection with references to or images of Native Americans; or (2) the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) determines that the term as included in the mark is commonly understood to refer to Native Americans. (The possibility that a mark disparages persons is grounds for refusing its registration.)

Requires the USPTO to cancel the registration of a mark containing the term "redskin" or any derivation of that term if: (1) it has been or is used in commerce in connection with references to or images of Native Americans, or (2) the USPTO determines that the term as included in the mark is commonly understood to refer to Native Americans.
Topic: Public Lands — Indigenous Affairs
Subject: Native Americans
Date: 2015-02-09 00:00:00

(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.
Topic: Public Lands — Indigenous Affairs
Subject: Native Americans
Date: 2015-02-11 00:00:00

Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2015

 Extends federal recognition to the following Indian tribes of Virginia and establishes their relationship with the federal government as described below: (1) the Chickahominy Tribe, (2) the Chickahominy Indian Tribe--Eastern Division, (3) the Upper Mattaponi Tribe, (4) the Rappahannock Tribe, Inc., (5) the Monacan Indian Nation, and (6) the Nansemond Indian Tribe.

Makes the tribes and their members eligible for all services and benefits provided by the federal government to federally recognized Indian tribes. Establishes the service area of each tribe and requirements for each tribe regarding its membership roll, governing documents, and governing body.

Requires the Department of the Interior, on request of any of the tribes, to take specified lands into trust for the benefit of that tribe, to be considered part of that tribe's reservation.

Prohibits the tribes from conducting gaming activities.

Prohibits this Act from affecting the hunting, fishing, trapping, gathering, or water rights of the tribes and their members.

Prohibits the use of eminent domain to acquire lands in fee or in trust for an Indian tribe recognized under this Act.
Topic: Public Lands — Indigenous Affairs
Subject: Education
Date: 2015-02-11 00:00:00

Native Hawaiian Education Reauthorization Act of 2015 Amends the Native Hawaiian Education Act to revise the duties and composition of the Native Hawaiian Education Council. (The Native Hawaiian Education Council coordinates the educational and related services and programs available to Native Hawaiians.) Requires the Council to be composed of 15 members who: (1) are from certain educational, governmental, Trust, and grant-making entities; and (2) demonstrate at least five years of experience as consumers or providers of Native Hawaiian education or cultural activities.

Directs the Council, in addition to its existing duties, to: (1) serve as a clearinghouse for the educational and related services and programs available to Native Hawaiians, and (2) provide technical assistance to Native Hawaiian organizations that apply for or receive Native Hawaiian Education program grants.

Requires the Council to hold at least one community consultation each year on each of the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Oahu, and Kauai regarding Native Hawaiian education program grants and other education issues. Eliminates the requirement that the council meet at least four times each year with an island council composed of parents, students, and other Native Hawaiian education stakeholders.

Includes charter schools as eligible recipients of Native Hawaiian Education program grants, in addition to Native Hawaiian education organizations, Native Hawaiian community-based organizations, and public and private nonprofit entities.

Gives grant priority to programs that: (1) meet the educational priorities established by the Council; (2) repair and renovate public schools that serve high concentrations of Native Hawaiian students; (3) meet the unique cultural and language needs of Native Hawaiian students in order to help them meet challenging state academic achievement standards; and (4) involve states, local educational agencies, or institutions of higher education in partnerships or consortia.

Requires the Secretary of Education to use funds made available for Native Hawaiian Education program grants before this Act's enactment to support: (1) the development of a body of Native Hawaiian law; (2) the repair and renovation of public schools that serve high concentrations of Native Hawaiian students; (3) access to Hawaiian culture and history through digital archives; (4) informal education programs that connect traditional Hawaiian knowledge, science, astronomy, and the environment through state museums or learning centers; and (5) public charter schools serving high concentrations of Native Hawaiian students.

 Authorizes appropriations for such grants through FY2021.
Topic: Public Lands — Indigenous Affairs
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Date: 2015-02-13 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.)

Amends the National Trails System Act to direct the Department of the Interior to conduct a study on feasibility of designating as a national historic trail the Chief Standing Bear Trail, extending approximately 550 miles from Niobrara, Nebraska, to Ponca City, Oklahoma, which follows the route taken by Chief Standing Bear and the Ponca people during federal Indian removal, and approximately 550 miles from Ponca City through Omaha, Nebraska, to Niobrara, Nebraska, which follows the return route taken by Chief Standing Bear and the Ponca people.

Requires Interior to consider input from owners of private land within or adjacent to such study area.
Topic: Public Lands — Indigenous Affairs
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2015-02-25 00:00:00

Tribal Transportation Self-Governance Act of 2015

The Department of Transporttion (DOT) shall establish a tribal transportation self-governance program via a compact with an Indian tribe, subject to negotiated annual written funding arrangements with the tribe.

A funding agreement shall authorize the Indian tribe to plan, conduct, consolidate, administer, and receive full tribal share funding and funding to tribes from DOT-administered discretionary and competitive grants for all programs, services, functions, and activities to carry out tribal transportation programs and DOT-administered programs, services, functions, and activities.
Topic: Public Lands — Indigenous Affairs
Subject: Animals
Date: 2015-02-26 00:00:00

Hunter and Farmer Protection Act

This bill amends the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to revise standards for determining what constitutes baiting for purposes of the prohibition on taking migratory game birds.

A baited area, in the case of waterfowl, cranes, and coots, includes a standing, unharvested crop that has been manipulated through activities such as mowing, discing, or rolling, unless the activities are normal agricultural practices. An area is not considered to be a baited area if it: (1) has been treated with a normal agricultural practice, (2) has standing crops that have not been manipulated, or (3) has standing crops that have been or are flooded.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must submit to the Department of the Interior a report on changes to normal agricultural practices across the range of crops grown by agricultural producers in each region of the United States in which USDA harvest practice recommendations are provided to agricultural producers.
Topic: Public Lands — Indigenous Affairs
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2015-02-26 00:00:00

Defines "state homes" to include homes established by federally recognized Indian tribes for veterans who, by reason of disability, are incapable of earning a living.

Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay those tribes for the hospital, nursing home, domiciliary, and medical care they provide to veterans in those homes.

Makes those tribes eligible for grants from the Secretary for the construction of state homes.
Topic: Public Lands — Indigenous Affairs
Subject: Native Americans
Date: 2015-02-27 00:00:00

Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians Land Transfer Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of the Interior to take specified lands in Santa Barbara County, California, into trust for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians, subject to valid existing rights and to the terms in a certain stipulated judgment relating to a specified easement, if the Tribe transfers title to that land to the United States. (Placing that land into trust removes certain restrictions on the property under California law.) The transferred land shall become part of the Santa Ynez Indian Reservation.

 No gaming may be conducted on the land.
Topic: Public Lands — Indigenous Affairs
Subject: Native Americans
Date: 2015-02-27 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.)

Native American Children's Safety Act

 Amends the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act (Act) to prohibit the final approval of any foster care placement and no foster care license from being issued until the tribal social services agency : (1) completes a criminal records check of each covered individual who resides in the household or is employed at the institution in which the foster care placement will be made, and (2) concludes that each of those individuals meets the standards the tribe is required to establish.

Defines a "covered individual" as an adult and any other individual the tribe determines is subject to a criminal records check.

Requires such standards to include requirements that each tribal social services agency: (1) perform criminal records checks, including fingerprint-based checks of national crime information databases; (2) check any abuse registries maintained by the Indian tribe, (3) check any child abuse and neglect registry maintained by the state, and any tribal abuse registries maintained in the state, in which the individual resides; (4) request any other state in which the individual resided during the preceding five years to enable the agency to check its registry, and (5) any other additional requirements that the Indian tribe determines is necessary and permissible within its existing authority, such as the creation of voluntary agreements with state entities in order to facilitate the sharing of information related to the performance of criminal records checks.

Prohibits a foster care placement from being ordered if the investigation reveals that the covered individual: (1) has been found guilty by a federal, state, or tribal court of a felony involving child abuse or neglect, spousal abuse, a crime against a child, violence, or drugs.

Excepts emergency foster care placements from such requirements.

Requires each Indian tribe to establish procedures to recertify homes or institutions in which foster care placements are made. Requires those procedures to include, at a minimum, periodic intervals at which the home or institution is subject to recertification to ensure the safety of the home or institution and that each covered individual who resides in the home or is employed at the institution is subject to a criminal records check.

Directs the Secretary of the Interior to issue guidance regarding: (1) procedures for a criminal records check of any covered individual who resides in the home or is employed at the institution in which the child is placed after the investigations that preceded that placement occurred, (2) self-reporting requirements for foster care homes or institutions that have knowledge that a covered individual residing on their premises would fail a criminal records check, (3) promising practices used by Indian tribes to address emergency foster care placements, and (4) procedures for certifying compliance with the Act.
Topic: Public Lands — Indigenous Affairs
Subject: Native Americans
Date: 2015-03-04 00:00:00

(Sec. 1) This bill amends the San Luis Rey Indian Water Rights Settlement Act to approve and ratify the settlement agreement dated January 30, 2015, and approved by the La Jolla, Rincon, San Pasqual, Pauma, and Pala Bands of Mission Indians (California), the San Luis Rey River Indian Water Authority, the City of Escondido, California, the Vista Irrigation District, and the United States.

The Departments of the Interior and Justice may execute the agreement and any amendments approved by the parties to make it consistent with such Act. Such execution shall not constitute a major federal action under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Interior is authorized to take steps necessary to implement the agreement and such Act.

The tribes will continue to possess federally reserved rights and other water rights held in trust by the United States. In any proceeding involving the assertion, enforcement, or defense of such rights, the United States shall not be a required party and and any decision by the United States regarding participation in any such proceeding shall not be subject to judicial review or give rise to any claim for relief against the United States.

Congress confirms that the benefits to allottees in the agreement are equitable and fully satisfy their water rights.

(Sec. 2) A limit is set on the amount that may be allocated annually from the San Luis Rey Tribal Development Fund.