zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Dunlap Band of Mono Indians Reaffirmation Act - Reaffirms federal recognition of the Dunlap Band of Mono Indians (the Tribe). Makes all federal laws of general application to Indians and Indian tribes applicable with respect to the Tribe. Reaffirms all rights and privileges of the Tribe and members of the Tribe which may have been abrogated or diminished or lost as a result of administrative oversight or neglect, or as a result of implementation of the termination policy of the federal government in California to the Tribe and its members. Makes the Tribe and its members eligible for all programs, benefits, and services provided by the United States to Indians and Indian tribes. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to take into trust specified real property for the benefit of the Tribe. Makes any real property taken into trust become part of the Tribe's reservation. Sets forth requirements regarding: (1) the initial membership of the Tribe; (2) the interim government of the Tribe; and (3) a constitution for the Tribe.

Date: 2007-07-17
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Amends the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 to extend until July 27, 2008, the deadline for an Indian tribe to elect to participate as a jurisdiction in the sex offender registration program under such Act or delegate its functions to another jurisdiction.

Date: 2007-07-19
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Tribal Government Tax-Exempt Bond Parity Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit the issuance of tax-exempt bonds by an Indian tribal government or subdivision if: (1) at least 95 percent of the net proceeds are used to finance facilities on an Indian reservation; or (2) the obligation is part of an issue substantially all of whose proceeds are to be used in the exercise of an essential government function. Excludes an obligation used to finance any part of a building in which class II or III gaming is conducted or housed or any other property actually used in the conduct of such gaming. Amends the Securities Act of 1933 to exempt obligations issued by an Indian tribal government or subdivision from registration requirements.

Date: 2007-07-24
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Taxation
Alaska Native Self-Governance in Housing Demonstration Program Act - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish and implement an Alaska Native Housing Assistance Demonstration Program according to the provisions of this Act.

Date: 2007-08-02
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Housing and community development
Alaska Native Veterans Land Allotment Equity Act - Amends the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) with respect to the open season during which certain Alaska Native Vietnam veterans are eligible to file for allotments of up to two parcels of federal land totaling up to 160 acres. Revises the requirement that allotments may be selected only from lands that were vacant, unappropriated, and unreserved on the date when the person eligible for the allotment first used and occupied them. Allows allotments to be selected from vacant federal lands or lands that have been selected or conveyed to the state of Alaska or a Native Corporation, if the state or Corporation voluntarily relinquishes or conveys to the United States for allotment. Limits the prohibition against the conveyance of certain allotments to: (1) lands within the right-of-way granted for the TransAlaska Pipeline; or (2) the inner or outer corridor of that right-of-way withdrawal. Repeals the prohibition against conveying allotments containing wilderness lands, National Forest Lands, lands within a recorded mining claim, home sites, trade and manufacturing sites, reindeer sites, and cemetery sites, among others. Limits the eligibility for allotments to veterans who served between August 5, 1964, and May 7, 1975. Allows an heir to apply for and receive the allotment. Allows a Native Corporation to select an equal amount of acres of appropriate Federal land within Alaska to replace lands voluntarily relinquished or conveyed to the United States for allotment. Permits any person who made an allotment selection under ANCSA before the enactment of this Act to withdraw it and reselect lands if those originally selected were not conveyed to that person before the enactment of this Act.

Date: 2007-08-02
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Native American Challenge Demonstration Project Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish and implement the Native American Challenge Demonstration Project through which federal economic development assistance may be provided for certain Native American communities. Authorizes the Secretary to provide such assistance to eligible entities that enter into Native American Challenge Compacts with the United States pursuant to this Act. Requires that Compacts establish a multi-year plan for achieving development objectives in furthering the purposes of this Act, including to adapt the lessons of foreign aid to underdeveloped economies to the provision of federal economic development assistance to similarly situated remote Native American communities.

Date: 2007-08-02
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2007 - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide that any enterprise or institution owned and operated by an Indian tribe and located on its Indian lands is not considered an employer for purposes of such Act.

Date: 2007-08-03
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Tuolumne Me-Wuk Land Transfer Act of 2008 - Declares that specified federal lands are to be held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians of the Tuolumne Rancheria of California (the Tribe) for nongaming purposes. Subjects: (1) such lands to the same terms and conditions as those lands described in the California Indian Land Transfer Act; and (2) specified lands taken or to be taken into trust for the Tribe's benefit to the Act's requirements regarding the applicability of laws governing lands which are to be held in trust for the benefit of a tribe, band, or group of Indians pursuant to the Act. Requires the Office of Cadastral Survey of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to complete: (1) fieldwork required for a survey of the federal lands and trust lands for the purpose of incorporating those lands within the boundaries of the Tuolumne Rancheria; and (2) the survey within 90 days after the fieldwork is completed. Requires the Secretary of the Interior, upon the approval by the Community Council of the Tribe of such survey, to publish in the Federal Register a legal description of the new boundary lines of the Tuolumne Rancheria and a legal description of the land surveyed.

Date: 2007-09-06
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Ratifies and approves the Jicarilla Apache Nation's quitclaim deed for the Settlement Lands to Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, but such ratification and approval shall be effective only upon satisfaction of the following conditions: (1) that the Board of Commissioners of the Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, has enacted a resolution permanently abandoning a specified disputed county road and has submitted a copy of that resolution to the Secretary of the Interior; and (2) that the Jicarilla Apache Nation has executed a quitclaim deed to Rio Arriba County for specified settlement lands subject to the exceptions identified in the Settlement Agreement and has submitted a copy of such deed to the Secretary. Makes such ratification and approval effective only as of the date that the Secretary publishes findings in the Federal Register that the conditions have been met.Requires the Secretary, following publication of the findings, to issue to the County a patent for the Settlement lands. Subjects the patent to all valid existing rights of third parties, including but not limited to easements of record. Requires that the patent include a specified perpetual restrictive covenant running with the Settlement Lands for the benefit of the lands comprising the Jicarilla Apache Reservation adjacent to the Settlement Lands. Provides that the lands conveyed to the County in such patent shall cease to be a part of the Jicarilla Apache Reservation and the exterior boundary of the Reservation shall be deemed relocated accordingly.

Date: 2007-09-10
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Southeast Alaska Native Land Entitlement Finalization Act - Authorizes Sealaska Corporation to select and receive conveyance of its remaining Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) land entitlement from federal lands in southeast Alaska from each of the following categories: (1) specified economic development land; (2) specified sites with sacred, cultural, traditional, or historical significance; and (3) specified native enterprise sites with traditional and recreational use value. Requires the Secretary of Interior to complete the conveyance of land to Sealaska within 180 days of selection.Declares that upon the exhaustion of Sealaska's remaining land entitlement under ANCSA and the completion of the conveyances of the land selected, the original southeast Alaska withdrawals shall expire and the lands within the withdrawals that are not conveyed to a Southeast Alaska Regional or Village Corporation shall be returned to the unencumbered management of the U.S. Forest Service as a part of the Tongass National Forest.Prohibits Sealaska from selecting or receiving conveyance of lands from within any Conservation System Unit, federally designated wilderness areas, or Land Use Designation I or II Areas.Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) covenants and conditions on land conveyances to Sealaska, including subjecting conveyances of specified lands to a covenant prohibiting commercial timber harvesting; (2) authorized uses for the sacred, cultural, traditional, and historic sites; and (3) nonexclusive access and use rights that are required to be included in conveyances to Sealaska of native enterprise sites.

Date: 2007-09-18
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Fountainhead Property Land Transfer Act - Transfers administrative jurisdiction over specified federal land in McIntosh County, Oklahoma, within the boundary of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation (the Tribe) to the Secretary of the Interior, who shall take such land into trust for the benefit of the Tribe. Requires: (1) the Tribe to pay fair market value for the land; and (2) all costs and administrative expenses associated with the transfer of administrative jurisdiction of the land and the taking of it into trust, including any environmental remediation costs, to be paid by the Tribe.

Date: 2007-09-18
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Willamette River United Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements with the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) and the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board to administer grants for recreation, historic, archeological, and cultural preservation or conservation projects. Specifies the general types of projects and specific projects for which grants may be made.Prohibits grant funds from being used: (1) to support regulatory actions or mitigation thereof; or (2) for operations and maintenance costs.Sets forth grant matching requirements.Provides that: (1) private property owners located in the Willamette Basin are not required to participate in programs established under this Act; and (2) funds appropriated to carry out this Act may be used to purchase land only from willing sellers.Requires private landowners voluntarily participating in this Act to permit access to their property to implement, inspect, monitor, or perform repairs or maintenance to funded projects.Authorizes federal agencies with jurisdiction over U.S. natural resources or parks to: (1) use funds to provide assistance to the grant programs of the Board and OPRD when a private investment has been identified and private funds have been committed to a project and to provide financial assistance to Willamette River restoration, recreation, heritage and tourism efforts if the partner can demonstrate strong support in the community; and (2) enter into an agreement with the Board or OPRD to administer federal assistance.

Date: 2007-09-18
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Water resources development
Native American Heritage Day Act of 2007 - Makes specified findings, including that the Friday immediately succeeding Thanksgiving Day of each year would be an appropriate day to designate as Native American Heritage Day. Encourages educational institutions to develop model educational curricula, in consultation with Native American governmental leaders, for purposes of recognizing a Native American Heritage Day, emphasizing the contributions of Native Americans to the United States and the world. Encourages the people of the United States, as well as federal, state, and local governments and interested groups and organizations to observe a Native American Heritage Day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

Date: 2007-09-19
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Commemorations
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to distribute the funds awarded to the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe in Minnesota Chippewa Tribe v. United States, Docket Nos. 19 and 188 in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims together with all interest and investment income accrued on deposit in trust account JA1041696 in equal shares to each of the following constituent bands of the Tribe: (1) the Bois Forte Band; (2) the Fond du Lac Band; (3) the Grand Portage Band; (4) the Leech Lake Band; (5) the Mille Lacs Band; and (6) the White Earth Band. Requires that the shares of such Bands be made available for use in the manner determined by the governing body of each Band, except that at least 20% of such funds shall be set aside for social and economic development, education, reservation infrastructure needs, and other governmental purposes.

Date: 2007-09-27
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Allows the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians of Alpine, California, to lease any portion of land held in trust for the Band within the boundaries of its reservation to the Ewiiaapaayp Band of Kumeyaay of Alpine.

Date: 2007-10-01
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Bars applying the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to an Indian tribe or to Indian lands of an Indian tribe until such Indian tribe has been a federally recognized Indian tribe for a period of not less than 25 continuous years. Makes such waiting period on gaming activities nonapplicable to Indian tribes that were federally recognized before the enactment of this Act.

Date: 2007-10-04
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Land-In-Trust Public Hearing Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior, at least six months before approving any application to take land into trust for an Indian tribe, to hold at least one public hearing in the surrounding community where the land is located in order to ascertain the community's needs and interests. Instructs the Secretary to solicit comments from the public at hearings held pursuant to such requirement and to ensure that comments received or related to such hearings are part of the record.

Date: 2007-10-09
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Prohibits neither the Lumbee Act of June 7, 1956, (relating to the designation of certain Indian inhabitants of North Carolina as the Lumbee Indians of North Carolina) nor the federally recognized status of any Indian tribe from preventing the Tuscarora Nation of Indians of the Carolinas from seeking or attaining federal recognition as an Indian tribe.

Date: 2007-10-09
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Native American Full Access to Dental Care Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of individual taxpayers for income tax purposes loan repayments under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act in exchange for service as an dentist.

Date: 2007-10-24
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Taxation
Department of the Interior Tribal Self-Governance Act of 2007 - Amends the Indian Self-determination and Education Assistance Act to revise tribal self-governance requirements. Authorizes the Secretary of the Department of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Office of Self-Governance, to select up to 50 new Indian tribes per year from those eligible to participate in self-governance.

Date: 2007-10-30
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Native American Veterans Language Assistance Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out a Native American Veterans Language Assistance Grant Program to improve the medical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to Native American veterans who speak native languages by providing interpreters and other language resources.

Date: 2007-10-30
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Makes a technical amendment to the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 with respect to minimum distributions from the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund to certain states and Indian tribes with approved abandoned mine reclamation programs.Exempts from any other requirements or restrictions of such Act the requirement that the Secretary of the Interior ensure that grant awards for approved abandoned mine reclamation programs total at least $3 million annually to each state and each Indian tribe with an approved program (including those which otherwise do not meet the active mining threshold for full funding), as well as eligible land and water, so long as an allocation of funds to the state or tribe is necessary to achieve specified reclamation priorities.

Date: 2007-10-31
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Amends the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act to redefine Native American to mean cultural items that have a significant and substantial genetic or cultural relationship, based on factors other than geography alone, to a presently existing tribe, people, or culture that is now indigenous to the United States. Declares that nothing in such Act shall be deemed to restrict excavation, examination, investigation, or scientific study under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 of any cultural item found on federal land that has not been determined to be the property of an Indian tribe or a Native Hawaiian organization.

Date: 2007-10-31
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Requires the Secretary of the Interior to take lands identified as alternative lands in the Settlement of Land Claim (the agreement between the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and the Governor of Michigan executed on December 30, 2002, including the document titled "Addendum to Settlement of Land Claim," executed on November 14, 2007) into trust for the benefit of the Tribe within 30 days after the Secretary has: (1) received a title insurance policy for the alternative lands that shows that such lands are not subject to mortgages, liens, deeds of trust, options to purchase, or other security interests; and (2) confirmed that the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 has been complied with regarding the trust acquisition of the property.Provides for the alternative lands to become part of the Tribe's reservation immediately upon attaining trust status. Requires the alternative lands to be taken into trust as part of the settlement and extinguishment of the Tribe's Charlotte Beach land claims and to be deemed lands obtained in settlement of a land claim within the meaning of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.Extinguishes all claims by the Tribe to the Charlotte Beach lands or against the United States, the State of Michigan, or any other person or entity based on or relating to claims to such lands, whether based on aboriginal or recognized title, upon: (1) the Secretary having taken the alternative lands into trust for the benefit of the Tribe; and (2) congressional acceptance of the extinguishment of such claims to the Charlotte Beach lands by the Bay Mills Indian Community.Approves and ratifies the Settlement of Land Claim, which shall be enforceable by the Tribe or the Governor according to its terms. Vests exclusive jurisdiction over any enforcement action in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan.

Date: 2007-11-08
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Authorizes the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Michigan to convey fee simple land owned by the Tribe. Deems this Act to have taken effect on January 1, 2005.

Date: 2007-11-13
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Indian School Construction Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a pilot program under which eligible Indian tribes have the authority to issue tribal school modernization bonds to provide funds for the construction, rehabilitation, and repair of tribal schools, including advance planning and design.Permits a tribe to use amounts received through a bond issue to enter contracts: (1) for the design and engineering of the school; and (2) with financial advisors, underwriters, attorneys, trustees, and other professionals to provide assistance to the tribe in issuing bonds.Makes any tribal school modernization bond issued by a tribe subject to a trust agreement. Authorizes the Secretary to deposit not more than $50 million into a tribal school modernization escrow account and to accept additional amounts from other federal agencies and non-federal public or private sources.Declares that no bond shall be an obligation of, nor shall payment of the principal be guaranteed by, the United States, the tribes, or their schools. Exempts from federal income tax any earnings through the investment of funds under the control of a trustee. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit to individuals who hold such bonds.

Date: 2007-11-15
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Code Talkers Recognition Act - Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for: (1) the award on behalf of Congress of a single gold medal of appropriate design to honor the Native American members of the U.S. Armed Forces, collectively, who served as Code Talkers in any foreign conflict in which the United States was involved during the 20th century for display in the Smithsonian Institution; and (2) presentation of a gold duplicate of such medal to each Indian tribe that had tribal members who served as such Code Talkers. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike: (1) silver duplicates for transmittal to each individual who served as a Code Talker (or next of kin); and (2) bronze duplicates for public sale.

Date: 2007-12-12
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Commemorations
Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2008 - Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the award of gold medals (to be maintained by the Smithsonian Institution) to recognize the service of Native American code talkers during World War I and World War II. Defines "code talker" as a Native American who served in the Armed Forces during a foreign conflict and who transmitted secret coded messages for tactical military operations during World War I and World War II using native tribal language.Directs the Secretary of the Treasury: (1) in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and Indian tribes, to identify each Native American tribe, with the exception of the Navajo Nation, that had a member serve as a Native American code talker; (2) to provide a list of such code talkers to the Smithsonian Institution; (3) to design and strike the gold medals to be awarded; and (4) to strike silver duplicate medals for such code talkers or their next of kin or personal representatives. Authorizes the Secretary to strike and sell bronze duplicate medals to pay for the cost of the gold and silver medals. Directs the Smithsonian Institution to accept and maintain the gold medals awarded on behalf of the code talkers. Encourages the Smithsonian Institution to create a standing exhibit for Native American code talkers or Native American veterans. Authorizes payment from the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund for the cost of medals struck pursuant to this Act.

Date: 2007-12-13
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Commemorations
Tribal Foster Care and Adoption Access Act of 2007 - Amends part E (Federal Payments for Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act to authorize an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium (tribe) operating a foster care program to receive federal foster care maintenance payments for children placed in its custody if the tribe: (1) operates a foster care program under part E; (2) has a cooperative agreement with the state for such purpose; or (3) submits a description of the arrangements made for the payment of funds and the provision of the required child welfare services and protections. Specifies provisions for the modification of plans and certain other requirements regarding the operation of foster care programs. Authorizes, with respect to the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program: (1) a tribe with an approved part E plan to receive a prescribed allotment to administer, supervise, or oversee plan programs; and (2) each tribe in a state that does not receive such an allotment to enter into a cooperative agreement with the state to administer, supervise, or oversee the programs to be carried out under the state's plan with respect to Indian children and to receive a portion of the state's allotment for the cost of such administration, supervision, and oversight.

Date: 2007-12-13
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Social welfare
Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians Settlement Act - Approves, ratifies, and confirms the Settlement Agreement dated June 7, 2006, between the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians (Tribe) and certain water districts in California relating to the water rights of such Tribe.Establishes in the Treasury: (1) the San Jacinto Basin Restoration Fund to pay costs associated with the construction, operation, and maintenance of the basin recharge project for accommodating supplemental imported water deliveries; and (2) the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians Water Development Fund for costs associated with constructing and maintaining water-related development projects.Provides for waivers and releases of specified claims made by the Tribe.Declares that the United States consents to jurisdiction in the case of Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians v. Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, No. 001-04208, for the purpose of entering the judgment and decree rendered in such case.Allows the Tribe to use water made available to it under the Settlement Agreement for any use it deems advisable on the Reservation and to enter into contracts and other agreements to exchange water made available to it under the Settlement Agreement, subject to certain limitations.Requires the Secretary of the Interior to comply with all federal environmental requirements in implementing the Agreement.

Date: 2007-12-19
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
13th Regional Corporation Land Entitlement Act - Amends the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to set forth land selection rights of the 13th Regional Corporation. Authorizes the Corporation, within five years, to select up to 1,453,388 acres from specified public lands and directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the Corporation the surface and subsurface estate of no more than 1,162,710 acres of the lands selected. Prohibits any selection within the geographical region of any other Alaska Native Regional Corporation without such Regional Corporation's written approval. Sets forth: (1) limitations on lands that may be selected; (2) restrictions on rights, use, management, and sale of lands conveyed; and (3) requirements for timber and subsurface estate revenue sharing by the 13th Regional Corporation and the other 12 Regional Corporations.

Date: 2008-02-12
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Authorizes the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin (Tribe) to transfer, lease, encumber, or otherwise convey the Tribe's interest in any real property that is not held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the Tribe.

Date: 2008-03-03
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Tribal Government Homeland Security Coordination and Integration Act - Establishes the Office of Tribal Government Homeland Security (Office) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to appoint a Director to head the Office.Prescribes the Secretary's and the Director's duties of coordination, infrastructure and equipment readiness, training, and inclusion of Indian tribes in homeland security preparedness.Requires the Secretary to treat Indian tribes as states, as appropriate, for the purpose of homeland security. Authorizes the Secretary to delegate to Indian tribes primary responsibility for homeland security activities within their respective jurisdictions. Requires the Secretary to integrate the roles of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Services with regard to homeland security.Requires the Secretary to provide assistance to enhance information technology capabilities of tribes and ensure the participation of Indian tribes in the coordination with governments and the private sector as related to homeland security activities.Declares Indian tribes to be eligible to apply for, receive, direct, and supervise any homeland security-related federal grant program.Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to Indian tribes for specified homeland security purposes.Requires the Secretary to: (1) provide Indian tribes with technical assistance in developing, implementing, and managing emergency response plans; (2) ensure that DHS expertise and legal, financial, or technical assistance programs are made available to Indian tribes; and (3) facilitate cooperation with the heads of appropriate federal agencies working on homeland security initiatives.

Date: 2008-03-04
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Requires the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Indian Affairs, to notify certain local governments: (1) within 60 days after a petition is filed requesting that a tribe be recognized, acknowledged, or reacknowledged as a federally recognized Indian tribe; (2) within 30 days after enactment of this Act regarding pending petitions; and (3) 90 days before a decision on a petition will be announced.Describes a local government to be notified as a local city, parish, or county government located within a 25-mile radius of land that would be taken into trust for or transferred to, or for which jurisdiction would be given to, the tribe pursuant to the petition.

Date: 2008-03-11
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments Act - Requires the Department of the Interior, the Indian Health Service, and the National Indian Gaming Commission, when formulating, amending, implementing, or rescinding policies that have tribal implications, to adhere to certain fundamental principles and policymaking criteria, including that the United States: (1) has a unique legal and political relationship with Indian tribal governments; (2) recognizes the right of Indian tribes to self government; and (3) shall encourage Indian tribes to develop their own policies to meet program objectives. Prohibits such entities from formulating, amending, or implementing policies that impose substantial direct compliance costs on Indian tribal governments and are not required by federal law, unless: (1) funds necessary to pay such costs are provided by the federal government; or (2) the entities consulted with tribal officials early in the process of developing the proposed policy and provided a tribal summary impact statement to specified congressional committees and affected tribes. Requires such entities to have accountable consultation processes and to explore and use consensual mechanisms for developing policies on issues relating to tribal self-government, tribal trust resources, or Indian tribal treaty and other rights. Prohibits such entities from implementing policies that have tribal implications and that preempt tribal law unless the entities: (1) consulted with tribal officials in the policy's development; and (2) provided to specified congressional committees and affected Indian tribes a tribal summary impact statement.Sets forth provisions concerning the process for Indian tribes applying for waivers from requirements.

Date: 2008-03-13
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to make annual disbursements to the Colorado River Indian Tribes to fund the Office of the Colorado River Indian Tribes Reservation Energy Development. Requires that such disbursements be not less than $200,000, and not more than $350,000 annually.Provides for the inclusion of binding arbitration clauses in construction contracts for the Gila River Indian Community. Authorizes the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Michigan to transfer, lease, encumber, or convey any part of its interest in real property that is not held in trust by the United States for its benefit. Absolves the United States from liability for any loss resulting from a transfer of real property by the Tribe. Makes this provision retroactive to January 1, 2005.Authorizes the Morongo Band of Mission Indians to lease lands held in trust for up to 50 years.Authorizes the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians to lease lands held in trust for up to 99 years.Amends the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to authorize the Alaska Native Corporation to issue additional settlement common stock with limitations on voting rights and transferability by gift.Ratifies, effective December 5, 2006, the decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in the case of Doe v. Kamehameha Schools, case number 04-15044, which allows Native American (i.e., American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Aleuts, and Native Hawaiians) schools to maintain certain admission policies for the provision of educational programs and services. Amends the Indian Land Consolidation Act to revise legal definitions relating to interests in land and intestate descent.

Date: 2008-04-02
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Requires the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Indian Affairs, to notify certain local governments: (1) within 60 days after a petition is filed requesting that a tribe be recognized, acknowledged, or reacknowledged as a federally recognized Indian tribe; (2) within 30 days after enactment of this Act regarding pending petitions; and (3) 90 days before a decision on a petition is announced.Describes a local government to be notified as a local city, parish, or county government located within a 25-mile radius of land that would be taken into trust for or transferred to, or for which jurisdiction would be given to, a tribe pursuant to such a petition.Prohibits Secretary from taking land into trust for the benefit of an Indian tribe or member thereof unless an Act enacted after this Act specifically instructs the Secretary to do so.

Date: 2008-04-15
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Mark O. Hatfield Scholarship and Excellence in Tribal Governance Act of 2008 - Establishes as an independent executive branch entity the Mark O. Hatfield Scholarship and Excellence in Tribal Governance Foundation, to be located in Portland, Oregon. Requires the Foundation to: (1) develop resources to train Native American and Alaska Native tribal council members in self-government and related fields; (2) foster greater recognition and understanding of the role of tribal self-government in the development of the United States; (3) identify critical issues facing tribal governments; (4) establish a program for tribal governance research at the Institute for Tribal Government at Portland State University; and (5) provide educational outreach regarding tribal self-government. Authorizes the Foundation to award: (1) scholarships to outstanding undergraduate students who intend to pursue careers relating to tribal governance and to Native American and Alaska Native undergraduate students intending to pursue careers in tribal public policy; (2) fellowships to outstanding graduate students who intend to pursue advanced degrees in fields relating to tribal governance, to Native American and Alaska Native graduate students intending to pursue advanced degrees in tribal public policy, law, or medicine, and to faculty from a variety of disciplines to bring their expertise to the Foundation; and (3) internships to individuals to work in government agencies or in offices of major tribal governance organizations and to Native American and Alaska Native individuals to work in agencies or in offices of major public health or public policy organizations.Directs the Foundation to award grants to the Institute to: (1) provide for an annual panel of experts to discuss contemporary tribal governance issues; (2) conduct research in tribal governance policy and on Native American and Alaska Native tribal public policy issues; and (3) invite visiting policymakers to share practical experiences with the Foundation.Requires the Foundation to assist in the development and implementation of a program for tribal governance research to be located at the Institute.

Date: 2008-04-30
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Tribal Charities Fairness Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for the treatment of Indian tribal governments as state governments for the purposes of the public charity-private foundation classification.

Date: 2008-05-08
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Taxation
Bars an American Indian Group seeking federal tribal acknowledgment that does not submit a letter of intent to the Secretary of the Interior within 180 days after receiving notice under this Act from petitioning for or receiving status as a federally recognized Indian tribe through any administrative process. Requires the Secretary to publish in the Federal Register the need of any group to submit such a letter and to notify each group with a pending petition for federal tribal acknowledgment by first class mail. Directs the Secretary, when multiple petitions are submitted by groups claiming the same name, to inform each group that all such petitions shall receive no consideration and such petitions shall not be considered.Authorizes: (1) the Office of Federal Acknowledgment (OFA) to expedite a finding declining to acknowledge a group if it determines that the group clearly did not demonstrate in the application that it meets at least three of seven required criteria; and (2) a group that has an application denied to appeal to the Board of Indian Appeals.Sets deadlines for the submission of applications and for the consideration of petitions. Terminates the Federal Recognition and Acknowledgment Process by the earlier of three years after enactment of this Act or upon completion of all final decisions by OFA. Provides that no groups shall thereafter be acknowledged as federally recognized Indian tribes through an administrative process.

Date: 2008-05-20
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Oregon Surplus Federal Land Act of 2008 - Requires transfer of administrative jurisdiction over Coast Guard lands in Coos County, Oregon (including Cape Arago Light Station on Chief's Island), in the areas commonly known as Gregory Point and Chief's Island, to the Secretary of the Interior to hold in trust for the benefit of the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians. Requires that, before the transfer, the Coast Guard commandant comply with all environmental and cultural resources laws. Requires that the land be included in the reservation of those tribes. Allows the Coast Guard to retain easements for access to aids to navigation.

Date: 2008-06-25
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Directs the Secretary of the Interior, for the purpose of processing acquisitions of real property of the Samish Indian Nation, to process as on-reservation acquisitions any property in the islands within Skagit County, Washington, as described in this Act, which the Samish Indian Nation both acquires and requests to deed to the Secretary. Prohibits real property taken into trust under this Act from being used for gaming. States that the proclamation of a reservation for the Samish Indian Nation pursuant to the Indian Reorganization Act or the establishment of an initial reservation for them shall not alter such prohibition with regard to the lands taken into trust pursuant to this Act.Bars this Act from granting, restoring, or diminishing any hunting, fishing, trapping, or gathering treaty right of the Samish Indian Nation.

Date: 2008-06-26
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Energy Conservation Opportunity Fund Act of 2008 or the ECO Fund Act of 2008 - Establishes in the Treasury an Alternative Energy Sources State Revolving Fund.Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to use amounts in the Fund to provide loans to states and Indian tribes to provide incentives to owners of single family and multifamily housing, commercial properties, and public buildings to provide: (1) renewable energy sources, such as wind, wave, solar, biomass, or geothermal energy, for such structures; (2) energy efficiency and energy conserving improvements and features for such structures; or (3) infrastructure related to the delivery of electricity and hot water for structures lacking such amenities.

Date: 2008-07-09
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Energy
Spokane Tribe of Indians of the Spokane Reservation Grand Coulee Dam Equitable Compensation Settlement Act - Establishes in the Treasury the Spokane Tribe of Indians Settlement Fund. Requires the payment of compensation to the Spokane Business Council for the use of tribal lands for the generation of hydropower from the Grand Coulee Dam. Requires the use of such funds, in part, for a Cultural Resource Repository and Interpretive Center concerning the culture and history of the Spokane Tribe. Directs the Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration to make specified settlement payments to the Spokane Tribe. Allows payments made to the Spokane Business Council or Spokane Tribe to be used or invested by the Business Council in the same manner and for the same purposes as other Spokane Tribal governmental funds. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer administrative jurisdiction from the Bureau of Reclamation to the Bureau of Indian Affairs over certain land located within the exterior boundaries of the Spokane Indian Reservation. Provides that payments by the Secretary and the Administrator and restoration of ownership of land in trust constitute full satisfaction of the claim of the Spokane Tribe to a fair share of the annual hydropower revenues generated by the Grand Coulee Dam project for the past and continued use of land of the Spokane Tribe for the production of hydropower at Grand Coulee Dam.

Date: 2008-07-17
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Tribal Law and Order Act of 2008 - Amends the Indian Law Enforcement Reform Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to submit to Congress a long-term plan to address incarceration in Indian country. Authorizes each U.S. Attorney serving a district that includes Indian country to appoint Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys to prosecute crimes in Indian country when the crime rate, or the rate at which criminal offenses are declined to be prosecuted, exceeds the national average. Establishes in the Department of Justice's (DOJ) criminal division an Office of Indian Country Crime.Requires the United States to maintain concurrent jurisdiction to prosecute serious crimes in Indian country under specified circumstances. Authorizes the Attorney General to provide assistance to state, tribal, and local governments that enter into cooperative agreements to improve law enforcement effectiveness and reduce crime in and around Indian country.Directs the Attorney General to ensure that tribal law enforcement officials that meet applicable requirements have access to national crime information databases. Establishes: (1) the Indian Law and Order Commission to conduct a comprehensive study of law enforcement and criminal justice in tribal communities and recommend improvements to justice systems at the tribal, federal, and state levels; and (2) within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), an Office of Indian Alcohol and Substance Abuse.Provides for: (1) the tracking of crimes committed in Indian country and grants to improve tribal data collection systems; (2) training in interviewing victims of domestic and sexual violence and collecting, preserving, and presenting evidence to prosecutors; (3) the development of victim services and victim advocate training programs; and (4) the development of standardized sexual assault policies and protocol.

Date: 2008-07-23
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Indian Affairs, to make a grant each year to an eligible entity to provide an iron working training program that: (1) provides specialized classroom and on-the-job training in iron working skills to adult members of federally recognized Indian tribes; and (2) facilitates job placement upon program completion.

Date: 2008-07-31
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans
Chinook Nation Restoration Act - Extends federal recognition to the Chinook Indian Nation. Makes the Chinook Tribe and its members eligible for all services and benefits provided by the government to federally recognized tribes regardless of the existence of a reservation or the location of residence of any member on or near any Indian reservation. Provides that, for purposes of the delivery of federal services to enrolled members, the Tribe's service area shall consist of specified counties in Washington and Oregon.Requires the Tribe to: (1) submit to the Secretary of the Interior a membership roll; and (2) conduct, by secret ballot, an election to adopt a constitution and bylaws. Provides that if the Tribe transfers all rights to land to the Secretary, the Secretary shall take such land in trust for the Tribe's benefit, subject to specified restrictions. Directs the Secretary to: (1) negotiate with the tribal governing body regarding establishing a reservation; (2) develop a plan for doing so.Requires the Secretary to: (1) notify and consult with all appropriate state officials and owners of land adjacent to those considered for the proposed reservation; and (2) provide complete information on the proposed plan to such officials. Provides for the plan's submission to Congress upon approval by the tribal governing body.Requires any real property transferred by the Tribe or any member to the Secretary to be held in the name of the United States for the Tribe's benefit. Prohibits the exercise of eminent domain for purposes of acquiring lands for the Tribe's benefit.

Date: 2008-07-31
Topic: Public Lands (Indigenous Affairs)
Subject: Native Americans