zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Bring the Ancient One Home Act of 2015

This bill directs the Chief of the Army Corps of Engineers to transfer the human remains known as Kennewick Man or the Ancient One that are part of archaeological collection number 45BN495 to the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation on the condition that such Department disposes of and repatriates the remains to the Indian tribes and band referred to in the letter from Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt to Secretary of the Army Louis Caldera relating to the human remains, dated September 21, 2000.

The Corps of Engineers shall be responsible for any costs associated with the transfer.

Date: 2015-11-30
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
This bill amends the Indian Long-Term Leasing Act to expand the land of the Pueblo of Santa Clara that may be leased for up to 99 years with the approval of the Department of the Interior, from lands held in trust, to all of the lands of the Pueblo of Santa Clara.

Date: 2015-12-15
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to convey to the Tanana Tribal Council in Tanana, Alaska, all interest of the United States in and to certain property (including all land, improvements, and appurtenances) containing 11.25 acres, in the village of Tanana for use in connection with health and social services programs.

HHS shall convey to the Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation in Dillingham, Alaska, all interest of the United States in and to certain property included in the Dental Annex Subdivision (including all land, improvements, and appurtenances) containing 1.474 acres more or less, also for use in connection with health and social services programs.

Neither the Tanana Tribal Council nor the Corporation shall be liable for soil, surface water, groundwater, or other contamination resulting from the disposal, release, or presence of environmental contamination, including oil or petroleum products, or hazardous substances on any of the properties.

Date: 2015-12-17
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Johnson-O'Malley Supplemental Indian Education Program Modernization Act

This bill amends the Johnson-O'Malley Act to establish a program through which the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) shall contract with eligible entities for the purpose of providing educational benefits to Indian students. An eligible entity is an entity that educates or serves Indian students and is either a tribal organization, an Indian corporation, a school district, a state, or a consortium of tribal organizations.

An eligible entity shall use the funds to establish or expand programs to: (1) provide remedial instruction, counseling, cultural programs, school supplies, and specified courses and activities; (2) establish targeted, culturally sensitive, dropout prevention activities; and (3) purchase equipment to facilitate training in trade skills and college preparation.

In general, BIA shall base the amount of a contract on the number of eligible Indian students educated or served by an eligible entity.

With respect to these contracts, BIA must ensure full geographic coverage and the full participation of eligible entities.

Date: 2016-01-13
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Education
Muscogee Nation of Florida Federal Recognition Act

This bill extends federal recognition to the Muscogee Nation of Florida, which makes its members eligible for the services and benefits provided to members of federally recognized Indian tribes.

 The service area of the tribe, for the purpose of delivering federal services to members, is the community of Bruce in Walton County, Florida, and an area in Florida in which members reside that is bordered on the west by the Escambia River and on the east by the St. Marks River.

The constitution and bylaws of the tribe must be the constitution and bylaws of the tribe's Tribal Council dated January 21, 2001, including amendments. The Department of the Interior, upon receipt of a written request of the Tribal Council, must hold a referendum for members to adopt a new constitution and bylaws.

The role and duties of the Tribal Council are specified.

The membership roll of the tribe must be determined in accordance with the membership criteria established by the ordinance of the tribe numbered 04-01-100 and dated February 7, 2004.

Interior may take land into trust on behalf of the tribe.

Date: 2016-02-25
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.)

Tule River Indian Reservation Land Trust, Health, and Economic Development Act

(Sec. 2) This bill takes into trust 34 acres of federal land in Tulare County, California, for the benefit of the Tule River Indian Tribe. Gaming is prohibited on this land.

Persons claiming valid, existing rights to the land taken into trust may apply to the Department of the Interior to have those rights converted to a long-term right-of-way.

Date: 2016-03-03
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
State and Tribal Government Sovereignty Protection Act of 2016

This bill establishes a moratorium period during which the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) may not issue or enforce any rule or regulation governing payday loans, vehicle title loans, or other similar loans.

The Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 is amended to prohibit the CFPB from issuing any final rule or regulation to regulate payday loans, vehicle title loans, or other similar loans, unless it first: (1) consults with appropriate state, tribal, and local officials in each jurisdiction that may be affected by the rule; (2) conducts specified studies; and (3) issues a public report regarding study findings.

The CPFB shall grant a five-year waiver from such a rule or regulation if a state or federally recognized Indian tribe requests one. The waiver may be renewed at the expiration of each five-year waiver period.

Date: 2016-03-14
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Safe Academic Facilities and Environments for Tribal Youth Act or the SAFETY Act

This bill directs the Department of the Interior to carry out a Tribal School Construction Demonstration Program to award grants to Indian tribes for the construction of replacement tribal schools. The program provides additional funding and opportunities for tribes to construct schools. Tribes on the Interior priority list for construction of tribal schools receive the highest priority for a grant under this program.

This bill amends the Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities Assistance Act of 1978 to revise the grant program for construction at tribal colleges and universities. The bill eliminates the requirements for Interior to identify the need for construction and tribal colleges and universities to provide matching funds. Restrictions on grant amounts and the use of constructed facilities are removed.

This bill amends the Housing Act of 1949 to authorize the Department of Agriculture to award grants to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and tribal housing entities for the construction or renovation of housing in rural areas for educators at Indian schools and schools where at least 25% of the students are Indian.

The Bureau of Indian Education and the Office of Management and Budget must develop a 10-year plan to bring up to good condition certain Bureau of Indian Education school facilities.

The Government Accountability Office must report on Impact Aid for construction provided to local education agencies impacted by military dependent children and children who reside on Indian lands.

Date: 2016-03-15
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Tribal Tax and Investment Reform Act of 2016

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to include Indian tribal governments in an annual allocation of a national tax-exempt bond volume cap. The bill repeals provisions that limit an Indian tribal government's eligibility to issue tax-exempt bonds or to be exempt from specified excise taxes to transactions involving the exercise of an essential government function customarily performed by state and local governments.

The bill amends the IRC and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to treat employee benefit or pension plans maintained by Indian tribes and domestic relations orders issued pursuant to tribal law in the same manner as plans maintained by states and domestic relations orders issued pursuant to state law.

The bill treats tribal charities and foundations in the same manner as charities and foundations funded and controlled by other governmental entities for purposes of the tax-exempt status of, and deduction for contributions to, such organizations.

The bill amends the Social Security Act to give Indian tribes or tribal organizations access to the Federal Parent Locator Service if they are eligible for a grant to operate a child support enforcement program. It makes those tribes and tribal organizations eligible to participate in the program that collects past-due support from individual tax refunds.

An Indian tribal government may determine whether a child has special needs for the purpose of the tax credit for the adoption of a child with special needs.

Date: 2016-04-14
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide information to prescribers in federally qualified health centers and Indian Health Service facilities on best practices for prescribing naloxone (a prescription drug used to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose) for patients a provider identifies as having an elevated risk of opioid overdose. (Opioids are drugs with effects similar to opium, such as heroin and certain pain medications.)

Date: 2016-04-18
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Health
Tribal Marijuana Sovereignty Act of 2016

This bill prohibits consideration of an entity's authorization under federal, state, or tribal law to produce, purchase, or possess marijuana when: (1) allocating, distributing, or determining eligibility for, federal benefits; or (2) determining eligibility for or compliance with a contract, grant, or agreement under which such activities would otherwise be disqualifying. The bill applies to an Indian tribe's, a member of a tribe's, or a tribal entity's authorization to conduct such activities on land owned by the tribe, held in trust for the tribe, or conveyed to an Alaska Native Corporation.

Date: 2016-04-20
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Tribal Early Childhood, Education, and Related Services Integration Act of 2016

This bill amends the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a demonstration program to support tribal early childhood education demonstration projects. Funding for projects is through existing programs that have a purpose consistent with the purpose of the demonstration program. HHS may waive certain provisions of law, policy, or procedure related to the programs providing funding for projects.

Demonstration projects must be: (1) carried out by an Indian tribe, a tribal organization, or a consortium with a tribe or tribal organization as its primary member; (2) designed around new approaches that address tribal community needs and improve early childhood education and services; and (3) focused on Native culture, culturally based early childhood education, and related services.

HHS must make grants to demonstration projects to: (1) build or upgrade facilities for early childhood care and development, and (2) reimburse early childhood educators who fulfill a period of obligated service for costs associated with obtaining early childhood certification or credentials.

This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise federal student loan forgiveness and loan cancellation for teachers to increase the maximum amounts of loan forgiveness and cancellation that may be provided to early childhood teachers in programs operated by Indian tribes or serving a large percentage of Indian children. Cancellation of student loans for public service is expanded to include service in Indian prekindergarten, child care programs, or early childhood learning and development centers.

Date: 2016-04-26
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
California Compact Protection Act

This bill amends the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to prohibit the Department of the Interior from allowing certain gaming on California land for which a proposed gaming compact was not ratified by the state or for which the electorate rejected a gaming compact.

Date: 2016-04-27
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
This bill amends the Barrow Gas Field Transfer Act of 1984 with respect to the conveyance to the Ukpeagvik Inupiat Corporation (UIC) of all right, title, and interest held by the United States to sand and gravel underlying the surface estate owned by UIC in the Barrow gas fields and Walakpa gas discovery site.

This conveyance shall include all U.S. right, title, and interest to specified sand and gravel deposits underlying the surface estate owned by UIC that are contiguous to the Barrow gas fields.

Date: 2016-04-27
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide the right to pass the borders of the United States (which includes other privileges pursuant to the Jay Treaty) to an American Indian born in the United States or Canada who is a member, or is eligible to be a member, of a federally recognized Indian tribe in the United States or Canada. (Current law provides such right to only an American Indian born in Canada who has at least 50% American Indian blood.)

Date: 2016-06-08
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Immigration
This bill amends the Claims Resolution Act of 2010 to specify that White Mountain Apache Tribe settlement funds may be used for the completion of the tribe's rural water system.

Date: 2016-06-09
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Drug-Free Indian Health Service Act of 2016

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to implement mandatory random drug testing for Indian Health Service (IHS) employees who provide health care or administrative services to patients at IHS health care facilities. Officers of the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service are exempt from this drug testing. Each employee must be tested at least once per year for specified drugs.

HHS must notify employees of the implementation of this drug testing. Employees selected for drug testing must be notified of their selection on the same day as the testing.

Employees found to have engaged in illegal drug use, through testing, direct observation, evidence from a conviction, or voluntary admission, are prohibited from providing services to patients and referred to the HHS Employee Assistance Program (EAP). At the discretion of HHS, an employee may return to duty after obtaining counseling or rehabilitation through the EAP. HHS may initiate an adverse action, including removal, against an employee engaged in illegal drug use unless the employee voluntarily admits to illegal drug use, ceases such activity, and obtains counseling or rehabilitation through the EAP.

Employees who refuse to submit to drug testing are prohibited from providing services to patients and are subject to adverse action.

Date: 2016-06-09
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Health
Native American Health Savings Improvement Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to specify that receiving hospital care or medical services under a medical care program of the Indian Health Service or a tribal organization does not disqualify an individual from being eligible for a health savings account.

Date: 2016-06-10
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Taxation
Pueblo de Cochiti Self-Governance Act

This bill amends the Act of August 26, 1992, to ratify modifications to the settlement agreement between the Pueblo de Cochiti of New Mexico and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In accordance with the amended agreement, the tribe assumes legal and financial responsibility for the operation and maintenance of a drainage system.

Date: 2016-06-14
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Poarch Band of Creek Indians Land Reaffirmation Act

This bill reaffirms as trust land specified land taken into trust by the United States for the benefit of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, including land in Escambia County, Florida, and Monroe, Escambia, and Montgomery Counties in Alabama.

Date: 2016-06-15
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Blackfeet Water Rights Settlement Act

This bill authorizes, ratifies, and confirms the water rights compact between the Blackfeet Tribe and Montana dated April 15, 2009, as modified to be consistent with this bill.

The tribe and the Fort Belknap Indian Community must agree on their Milk River water rights.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) must: (1) enter into at least one water delivery contract with the Blackfeet Tribe for water from the St. Mary River water right, (2) review the final project design of the Swiftcurrent Creek Bank Stabilization Project and work with the tribe to carry out the project, and (3) carry out specified maintenance projects.

The tribe must grant the United States certain easements and rights-of-way.

The USBR is granted exclusive jurisdiction to authorize the development of St. Mary Unit hydroelectric power. The tribe is granted the exclusive right to develop and market such power.

Interior must allocate water stored in Lake Elwell for the tribe.

Ownership of Birch Creek water delivery facilities is transferred to the tribe.

The tribe must establish a tribal water code, subject to Interior approval.

The water rights of the tribe within the Lewis and Clark National Forest and Glacier National Park are confirmed.

The tribe and the United States must waive certain claims to water rights.

The tribe must: (1) waive claims against the United States regarding specified land and facilities, and (2) withdraw objections to U.S. water rights claims for the benefit of the Milk River Project.

The provisions of this bill expire and related actions and agreements are void if Interior does not publish specified findings or appropriations are not made.

Date: 2016-07-06
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Native Educator Support and Training Act or the NEST Act 

This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish scholarships, loan forgiveness plans, and training programs for educators who commit to teaching in Native American or Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools.

This bill establishes three scholarship programs for students who are seeking degrees in education or school administration at institutions of higher education and commit to teaching in Native American or BIE schools:

 the Indian Student Educator Scholarship Program for students seeking degrees, the Indian Educator Scholarship Program for Indian students seeking degrees, and the Indian Educator Graduate Fellowship Program for Indian students seeking graduate degrees. Recipients of the scholarships must commit to working for a BIE school, a school serving Native Americans, or other specified schools and agencies for the greater of three years or the number of school years that the scholarship funded.

The bill establishes loan forgiveness programs for educators and Native Americans who have taught for at least five consecutive years at BIE schools or local educational agencies with high percentages of Native American students.

The bill extends the federal Perkins Loan Cancellation Program to educators teaching in BIE schools or in Native American language immersion programs.

The bill authorizes professional development grants for native-serving elementary and secondary schools. It also establishes the Native American Language Teacher Training Program to provide grants for institutions of higher education to develop training programs for Native American immersion and language teachers.

Date: 2016-07-08
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Education
Columbia River In-Lieu and Treaty Fishing Access Sites Improvement Act

This bill authorizes the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to assess sanitation and safety conditions on BIA land set aside to provide Columbia River Treaty tribes access to traditional fishing grounds. No other federal agency may carry out this assessment.

The BIA may enter into contracts with tribes or tribal organizations to improve sanitation, safety conditions, and access to electricity, sewer, and water infrastructure on this land.

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2016

This bill increases the maximum term of imprisonment from 5 years to 10 years for individuals convicted more than once of illegal trafficking in Native American human remains or cultural items.

This bill bans the export of illegally obtained Native American cultural objects and sets penalties for violations of this ban.

A person is immune from criminal prosecution under laws regarding Native American cultural objects if the person voluntarily repatriates to the appropriate tribe all the Native American cultural objects in the person's possession not later than two years after enactment of this bill. This immunity does not apply to a person under active investigation or prosecution relating to Native American cultural objects.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) must report on the number of Native American cultural objects illegally trafficked and the extent to which the Department of Justice has prosecuted cases of trafficking. The GAO must recommend actions to eliminate such trafficking and to secure the repatriation of Native American cultural objects.

The Department of the Interior must facilitate the convention of a working group to contribute information to the GAO report and to advise on implementation of the GAO's recommendations.

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Shee Atika Land Entitlement Act or the SALE Act

This bill declares that consideration received by the urban Native corporation of Shee Atika under the agreement between Shee Atika and the United States must be treated as the receipt of land or interest in land pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act or as cash to equalize the values of properties exchanged pursuant to that Act. (Under the Act, these considerations are not taxed.)

Shee Atika may elect to accept payment from the Department of Agriculture for Cube Cove lands into an account that may be used to purchase property sold at public sale by a federal agency. Purchases made through that account must be considered to be conveyances under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
This bill repeals the act entitled "An Act to confer jurisdiction on the State of Iowa over offenses committed by or against Indians on the Sac and Fox Indian Reservation."

Date: 2016-07-18
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to tax administration requirements for foreign-source income and assets, to repeal:  (1) withholding requirements for payments to foreign financial institutions and other foreign entities, (2) information reporting for foreign financial assets, (3) penalties for underpayments of tax attributable to undisclosed foreign financial assets, (4) reporting requirements for shareholders of a passive foreign investment company and U.S. owners of foreign trusts, and (5) the additional penalty for failure to file required notices and information returns for certain foreign trusts.

Date: 2016-09-06
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Taxation
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians Water Rights Settlement Act

(Sec. 4) This bill authorizes, ratifies, and confirms the Pechanga Settlement Agreement, entered into by the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians, the Rancho California Water District (RCWD), and the United States, except to the extent that the agreement is modified by or conflicts with this bill.

(Sec. 5) The bill confirms water rights that must be held in trust by the United States on behalf of the tribe and its allottees. (Allottees are individuals who hold a beneficial real property interest in an Indian allotment that is located within the reservation and held in trust by the United States.) Allotted land is entitled to a just and equitable allocation of water from the water rights for irrigation and domestic purposes.

Allottees may lease their land together with any water right.

The tribe must enact a Pechanga Water Code that governs the storage, recovery, and use of the water rights, subject to the Department of the Interior's approval. Interior must administer the water rights until the water code is enacted and approved.

(Sec. 7) The tribe and the United States (acting as trustee for the tribe and allottees) must waive all claims to water rights within the Santa Margarita River Watershed, except water rights recognized in the Pechanga Settlement Agreement and this bill.

The tribe and the United States (acting as trustee for the tribe) waive specified claims against the RCWD.

The tribe may waive claims against the United States regarding specified water rights and damages.

 The waivers in this bill are enforceable on the date Interior publishes specified findings regarding deposits, waivers, and approved agreements.

(Sec. 8) Interior must provide the amounts necessary to fulfill the tribe's obligations under specified agreements regarding water infrastructure.

 (Sec. 9) The bill establishes the Pechanga Settlement Fund. The fund is to be used to carry out this bill.

(Sec. 12) If Interior does not publish the findings required for enforcement of the waivers in this bill by April 30, 2021, or an alternative later date agreed to by the tribe and Interior, the provisions of this bill expire, related agreements are void, and funds are rescinded.

Date: 2016-09-09
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes Act or the RESPECT Act

This bill repeals outdated provisions regarding treatment of Native Americans, including provisions on hostile tribes, alcohol, work requirements, penalties for truancy, and placement of youth in reform school without the consent of a parent or guardian.

Date: 2016-09-14
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
This bill confers exclusive 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 defenses based on the passage of time, including the statute of limitations. The United States is the only entity liable for such a claim and monetary damages are the only available remedy. This jurisdiction expires unless such a claim is filed within one year of enactment of this bill.

All other claims of the tribe to title arising under the Treaty of Grouseland are extinguished.

Date: 2016-09-15
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through December 31, 2017, the income tax credit for Indian employment.

Date: 2016-11-17
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Taxation
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through December 31, 2018, the income tax credit for Indian employment.

Date: 2016-11-17
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Taxation
Yurok Lands Act

This bill gives the Yurok Tribe the option to expand its role in the environmental review process under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) with respect to major federal actions within: (1) the Revised Yurok Reservation, and (2) specified areas within the Klamath and Redwood Creek Watersheds.

The Department of the Interior must enter into a cooperative agreement with the tribe for protecting the natural resources of Redwood National Park.

The bill confirms the 2006 "Cooperative Agreement between the Department of the Interior and the Yurok Tribe for the Cooperative Management of Tribal and Federal Lands and Resources in the Klamath River Basin of California." Interior may take actions to effectuate the agreement.

The Forest Service must transfer approximately 1,229 acres in the Yurok Experimental Forest to Interior. That land must be held in trust for the benefit of the tribe and be managed by the tribe for conservation and research purposes. The trust land may not be: (1) used for gaming activity, and (2) subject to old growth logging.

Interior must revise the boundary of the reservation as depicted on the map entitled, "Revised Yurok Reservation Boundary" and dated December 7, 2016. National Forest System land and National Park System land within the revised reservation must be administered by the Forest Service and the National Park Service, respectively.

The bill designates the Bald Hills Road, which runs from U.S. Highway 101 to the Klamath River, as the "Yurok Scenic Byway."

The bill ratifies and confirms the tribe's governing documents.

Date: 2016-12-07
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Chugach Region Lands Study Act

This bill requires the Department of the Interior, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture, to identify at least 500,000 acres of economically viable federal land that may be exchanged with the Chugach Alaska Corporation. Acre-for-acre exchange of identified federal land for certain Chugach Alaska Corporation land is deemed to be in the public interest.

Date: 2016-12-13
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians Restoration Act of 2015

 (Sec. 4) Extends federal recognition to the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana.

(Sec. 5) Makes the Tribe and each member eligible for all services and benefits provided by the United States to Indians and federally recognized Indian tribes, without regard to the existence of a reservation for the Tribe or the location of the residence of any member on or near an Indian reservation. Considers the federal service area of the Tribe to be the area comprised of Blaine, Cascade, Glacier, and Hill Counties, Montana.

 (Sec. 7) Directs the Tribe, as a condition of receiving recognition, services, and benefits pursuant to this Act, to submit to the Department of the Interior a membership roll consisting of the name of each individual enrolled as a member of the Tribe. Requires the Tribe to maintain such membership roll.

(Sec. 8) Directs Interior to acquire, for the benefit of the Tribe, trust title to 200 acres of land within the Tribe's service area to be used for a tribal land base. Allows Interior to acquire additional land for the benefit of the Tribe.

Date: 2015-01-06
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.)

Native American Children's Safety Act

 Amends the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act to prohibit the final approval of any foster care placement or a 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 tribe's standards established pursuant to this Act. Defines a "covered individual" as an adult and any other individual the tribe determines is subject to a criminal records check.

Requires the Tribe's 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 a covered individual 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.

Exempts emergency foster care placements from such requirements.

Requires Indian tribes to establish procedures to recertify homes or institutions in which foster care placements are made.

Directs the Department 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 Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act.

Date: 2015-01-16
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on June 25, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 (Sec. 1) Directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to convey to the Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation in Bethel, Alaska, all interest of the United States in certain property (including all land and appurtenances) containing 22.98 acres, for use in connection with health and social services programs.

States that this conveyance by warranty deed shall supersede and render of no future effect any quitclaim deed to the property executed by HHS and the Corporation.

Declares that this conveyance: (1) shall be made by warranty deed; and (2) shall not require any consideration from the Corporation for the property, impose any obligation, term, or condition on the Corporation, or allow for any U.S. reversionary interest in the property. (Sec. 3) Shields the Corporation from being liable for soil, surface water, groundwater, or other contamination resulting from the disposal, release, or presence of environmental contamination (including oil or petroleum products, hazardous substances, hazardous materials, hazardous waste, pollutants, toxic substances, solid waste, or any other environmental contamination or hazard under any federal or Alaska law).

Accords to HHS any easement or access to the conveyed property as may be necessary to satisfy any retained obligations and liability.

Requires the HHS to be in compliance with requirements under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 respecting certain deeds for the transfer of U.S. owned real property on which any hazardous substance was stored for one year or more, disposed of, or known to have been released.

Date: 2015-01-21
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on September 6, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children Act

 (Sec. 3) This bill establishes the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children in the Office of Tribal Justice of the Department of Justice.

The commission must conduct a comprehensive study of federal, state, local, and tribal programs that serve Native children, including an evaluation of:

 the impact of concurrent jurisdiction on child welfare systems; barriers Indian tribes and Native Hawaiians face in using public and private grant resources; obstacles to nongovernmental financial support for programs benefitting Native children; issues relating to the validity and statistical significance of data on Native children; barriers to the development of sustainable, multidisciplinary programs designed to assist high-risk Native children and their families; cultural or socioeconomic challenges in communities of Native children; examples of successful program models and use of best practices in programs that serve children and families; barriers to interagency coordination; and the use of memoranda of agreement or interagency agreements to facilitate or improve agency coordination. The commission must use the results of the study and analyses of existing federal data to: (1) develop plans for federal policy relating to Native children informed by the development of accurate child well-being measures; (2) recommend modifications and improvements to programs for Native children that integrate the cultural strengths of Native communities; (3) recommend improvements to the collection of data regarding Native children and the programs that serve them; and (4) identify models of successful programs.

 When developing plans for federal policy, the commission may not consider or recommend recognition or establishment of a government-to-government relationship with an entity not recognized on or before the date of enactment of this bill.

The commission must report its findings, conclusions, and recommendations for legislative and administrative action. The commission is terminated 90 days after the report is submitted.

Date: 2015-01-22
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide that any enterprise or institution owned and operated by an Indian tribe and located on its lands is not considered an employer (thus excluding such enterprises or institutions from coverage by such Act).

Date: 2015-01-22
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
(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.

Date: 2015-01-29
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Building upon Unique Indian Learning and Development Act 

 Directs the Department of the Interior to establish a contest to encourage institutions of higher education (IHEs) to consider how to improve Indian school facilities.

Requires the Department of Education (ED) and Interior to establish a Joint Oversight Board to coordinate Indian education policies and assistance.

Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to award grants to create or expand pipelines for teachers and administrators of Native American students.

Requires states receiving grants under part A of title I of the ESEA (Education for the Disadvantaged) to develop standards-based assessments and classroom lessons that accommodate diverse learning styles.

Expands programs for Native American school children to support learning in the children's Native language and culture and provide English language instruction.

Exempts Native language teachers from qualification requirement. Requires states to develop an alternative licensure or certification process for those teachers.

Amends the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to extend through FY2019 the grant program to ensure the survival and continuing vitality of Native American languages.

 Requires ED to: (1) improve school environments and student skill development for Native American students, (2) establish a program for school dropout prevention for Native American students, and (3) collaborate with the Department of Agriculture to establish tribal-school specific gardens and nutrition programs.

Extends through FY2018 and appropriates funds for the Impact Aid program.

Extends through FY2016: (1) the tribally controlled postsecondary career and technical institutions program, (2) the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development, (3) grants for the Haskell Indian Nations University and Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute, and (4) scholarships under the Snyder Act.

Date: 2015-02-09
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.)

New Mexico Navajo Water Settlement Technical Corrections Act

 (Sec. 2) Amends the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to expand the current authorization for the construction or rehabilitation and operation and maintenance of conjunctive use wells in the San Juan River Basin, Little Colorado River Basin, and Rio Grande Basin in New Mexico to include the planning and design of those wells.

Revises the percentages of funds authorized for the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project, conjunctive use wells, and San Juan River Irrigation Projects that may be made available for specified purposes by:

 increasing from 2% to 4% the portion of funds that may be used for the survey, recovery, protection, preservation, and display of archaeological resources in the area of a Project facility or conjunctive use well; and decreasing from 4% to 2% the portion of funds that may be used for purchasing land and constructing and maintaining facilities to mitigate the loss of, and improve conditions for the propagation of, fish and wildlife. Makes technical corrections.

Date: 2015-02-12
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Indian Health Service Health Professions Tax Fairness Act of 2015

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income amounts received under the Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program and the Indian Health Professions Scholarships Program.

Date: 2015-02-24
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to tax administration requirements for foreign-source income and assets, to repeal:  (1) withholding requirements for payments to foreign financial institutions and other foreign entities, (2) information reporting for foreign financial assets, (3) penalties for underpayments of tax attributable to undisclosed foreign financial assets, (4) reporting requirements for shareholders of a passive foreign investment company and U.S. owners of foreign trusts, and (5) the additional penalty for failure to file required notices and information returns for certain foreign trusts.

Date: 2015-03-04
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Taxation
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.

Date: 2015-03-12
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Oregon Coastal Land Act

 Requires all interest of the United States in approximately 14,408 acres of land (Oregon Coastal land) to be held in trust for, and to be part of the reservation of, the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians (Tribes).

Applies federal law relating to the export of unprocessed logs harvested from federal land to any unprocessed logs harvested from such land. Prohibits gaming on such land. Requires commercial forestry activity on such land to be managed in accordance with applicable federal laws. Exempts such land from the land use planning requirements of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976.

Directs the Tribes to consult with the Department of the Interior and other parties to develop agreements to provide for access to such land that provide for: (1) honoring existing reciprocal right-of-way agreements, (2) administrative access by the Bureau of Land Management, and (3) management of any such land acquired or developed under the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Directs the Department of Agriculture and Interior to identify any land conveyed under this Act that is Oregon and California Railroad grant land.

Directs Interior to: (1) identify public domain land in Oregon that is approximately equal in acreage and condition to such Oregon and California Railroad grant land, and (2) reclassify the public domain land as Oregon and California Railroad grant land.

Date: 2015-03-19
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources