Selected federal Native American-related legislation from the 111th Congress

Last updated: November 19, 2009

Next update: Planned to be posted by 12/10/09

Please alert us to any U.S. Legislation you think we should add to this bulletin.

Business & Economics

H.R.1

Title: Making supplemental appropriations for job preservation and creation, infrastructure investment, energy efficiency and science, assistance to the unemployed, and State and local fiscal stabilization, for fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. ("stimulus bill")

Sponsors: Rep Obey, David R. [WI-7]

Committees: House Appropriations, House Budget

Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 111-5

Summary: The Stimulus bill has several sections which directly affect Native American communities.

Related News and Information: Indian Country to benefit from stimulus funds (Fort Mill Times) 07/09/09. Tribe nets $900K stimulus (Cortez Journal) Tribes look to $3B share of stimulus funds (USA Today) 5/12/09. BIA announces stimulus funds for 12 regional offices (Indianz.com) 5/5/09. Flandreau Indian school to receive $23 million (Keloland.com) 4/30/09. New Montana's tribes will receive $17 million in stimulus money (Greatfallstribune.com) 4/28/09. Nebraska Indian tribes to get $800,000 in stimulus funds (OmahaWorld-Herald) 4/28/09. National Congress of American Indians information on Indian Country Works. " Interior Secretary announces $500M for tribes. (USA Today) 4/25/09. Stimulus funds go to California tribes (The Daily Triplicate) 4/21/09. N.D. Tribes get $9 million in stimulus money (Grand Forks Herald) 4/17/09. Secretary Salazar announces $1 billion economic recovery investment in America's water infrastructure. (Recovery.gov) 4/15/09. DoJ announces Indian country stimulus allocations (Indian Country Today) 4/10/09. President’s budget dramatically increases money to Indian country (Indian Country Today) 3/6/09.

H.R. 1834

Title: To amend the Small Business Act to expand and improve the assistance provided to Indian tribe members, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Kirkpatrick, Ann [AZ-1]

Related Bill: H.R.2352

Committees: House Small Business

Latest Major Action: 5/13/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Provisions of Measure Incorporated into H.R.2352.

Summary: Native American Business Development Enhancement Act of 2009 - Amends the Small Business Act to establish in the Small Business Administration (SBA) the Office of Native American Affairs, administered by a new SBA Associate Administrator, to increase Native American entrepreneurship.Authorizes the SBA's Administrator (acting through the Assiociate Administrator) to: (1) operate a Tribal Business Information Centers program that provides Native American populations with business training and entrepreneurial development assistance; (2) designate entities as centers; (3) contribute agency personnel and resources to the centers; and (4) make grants to the centers.Allows any eligible applicant to apply for an additional grant to assist with outreach, development, and enhancement on Indian lands of small business startups and expansions owned by Indian tribe members, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. Requires, to be eligible, that the applicant be in a state in which the combined Indian Tribe members, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians make up at least 1% of the state's total population.

H.R. 1607

Title: To provide for and promote the economic development of Indian tribes by furnishing the necessary capital, financial services, and technical assistance to Indian-owned business enterprises, to stimulate the development of the private sector of Indian tribal economies, and for other purposes.

Sponsors: Rep Faleomavaega, Eni F.H. [AS]

Related Bill: S.439

Committees: House Natural Resources

Latest Major Action: 3/19/2009, referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Summary: Indian Development Finance Corporation Act - Establishes the Indian Development Finance Corporation to provide development capital for new and existing Indian businesses and to strengthen tribal economies. Authorizes the Corporation to make loans to or purchase, insure, or discount obligations of Indian businesses if they meet specified financial conditions. Directs the Corporation to provide the credit needed by Indian businesses at the lowest reasonable cost. Authorizes the Corporation to guarantee all or any part of the principal and interest of any loan made to an Indian business by a state or federally chartered lending institution, provided the loan was made on terms permissible for Corporation loans. Authorizes the Corporation to purchase all or any part of the ownership interest in an Indian business and to supervise or participate in the management of such business. Establishes the Advisory Council to the Indian Development Finance Corporation to provide advice on the policies and operations of the Corporation. Authorizes the Corporation to issue stock. Allows shares of stock in the Corporation to be issued to and held by Indian Tribes and the United States only. Authorizes the Corporation to issue a limited amount of bonds and notes. Authorizes appropriations for general operating expenses and for the purchase of Corporation stock by the Secretary.

S.439

Title: A bill to provide for and promote the economic development of Indian tribes by furnishing the necessary capital, financial services, and technical assistance to Indian-owned business enterprises, to stimulate the development of the private sector of Indian tribal economies, and for other purposes.

Sponsors: Sen Inouye, Daniel K. [HI]

Related Bill: H.R. 1607

Committees: House Natural Resources

Latest Major Action: 2/13/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

Summary: Indian Development Finance Corporation Act - Establishes the Indian Development Finance Corporation to take certain actions, including: (1) providing development capital through financial services under this Act; (2) encouraging the development of new and existing Indian business enterprises eligible to receive assistance from the Corporation; and (3) otherwise assisting in strengthening Indian tribal economies through the development of Indian business enterprises. Authorizes the Corporation to: (1) make loans or commitments for loans to any Indian business enterprise; (2) purchase, insure, or discount any obligation of an Indian business enterprise if the enterprise meets specified requirements; (3) purchase, or make commitments to purchase, any portion of the equity or ownership interest in the Indian business enterprise for purposes of providing long-term capital and working capital; and (4) supervise or participate in the management of an Indian business enterprise in which such an investment has been made. Authorizes the Corporation to issue shares of stock. Requires the stock to be issued only to, and held only by, an Indian tribe or the federal government. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) initially subscribe to at least $20 million in stock and; and (2) beginning in FY2012, subscribe to $80 million in stock (unless the Corporation's board requests a smaller amount). Makes all stock subscribed to by the Secretary nonvoting and prohibits that stock from accruing dividends.

Related News and Information: Hawaii and Alaska Senators Introduce Native American Challenge Act (press release) 5/05/09.

S.798

Title: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend existing elective tax treatment for Alaska Native Settlement Trusts.

Sponsor: Sen Murkowski, Lisa [AK] (introduced 4/2/2009)

Related Bill: H.R. 1381

Committees: Senate Finance

Latest Major Action: 4/2/2009 Referred to Senate Committee on Finance.

Summary: Makes provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 relating to the tax treatment and information requirements of Alaska Native Settlement Trusts permanent.

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Community Development

H.R.924

Title: To direct the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, to assess the irrigation infrastructure of the Rio Grande Pueblos in the State of New Mexico and provide grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements with, the Rio Grande Pueblos to repair, rehabilitate, or reconstruct existing infrastructure, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Lujan Ben, Ray [NM-3]

Committees: House Energy and Commerce

Latest Major Action: 2/12/2009, referred to the House Subcommittee on Water and Power.

Summary: Rio Grande Pueblos Irrigation Infrastructure Improvement Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, to: (1) conduct a study of irrigation infrastructure for 18 Rio Grande Pueblos in New Mexico; and (2) develop a list of projects recommended to be implemented over a 10-year period to repair, rehabilitate, or reconstruct such infrastructure. (Provided by Congressional Research Service)

S.72

Title: A bill to reauthorize the programs of the Department of Housing and Urban Development for housing assistance for Native Hawaiians.

Sponsor: Sen Inouye, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 1/6/2009)

Related Bill: H.R.709

Committees: Senate Indian Affairs

Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009, referred to Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

Summary: Hawaiian Homeownership Opportunity Act of 2009 - Amends the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 and the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to extend through FY2013 the authorization of appropriations for housing assistance for Native Americans and loan guarantees for Native Hawaiian housing. Amends the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 to: (1) make the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands of the state of Hawaii eligible for loan guarantees; and (2) extend through FY2013 the authorization of appropriations for the credit subsidy to cover the costs of federal guarantees for financing for tribal housing activities.

Related News and Iinformation: Tight deadlines for tribal housing money (Indian Country Today) 3/6/09.

S.390

Title: A bill to expand the authority of the Secretary of the Air Force to convey certain relocatable military housing units to Indian tribes located in Idaho and Nevada.

Sponsor: Sen Crapo, Mike [ID] (introduced 2/5/2009)

Committees: Senate Committee on Armed Services

Latest Major Action: 2/5/2009 Referred to Senate to the Committee on Armed Services.

Summary: Amends the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2009 to include Idaho and Nevada among specified states to which the Secretary of the Air Force may convey certain relocatable military housing units to Indian tribes.

S.980

Title: A bill to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a demonstration program to adapt the lessons of providing foreign aid to underdeveloped economies to the provision of Federal economic development assistance to certain similarly situated individuals, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Sen Murkowski, Lisa [AK]

Related Bill: H.R.2507

Latest Major Action: 5/5/2009, read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

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Education

H.Con.Res.3

Title: The "English Plus Resolution"

Sponsor: Rep Serrano, Jose E. [NY-16] (introduced 1/6/2009)

Committees: House Education and Labor

Latest Major Action: 3/6/2009, referred to House subcommittee, Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.

Summary: Declares that the U.S. Government should pursue English-plus policies that: (1) encourage all residents of this country to become fully proficient in English by expanding educational opportunities and access to information technologies; (2) conserve and develop the nation's linguistic resources by encouraging all residents of this country to learn or maintain skills in languages other than English; (3) assist Native Americans, Native Alaskans, Native Hawaiians, and other peoples indigenous to the United States in their efforts to prevent the extinction of their languages and cultures; (4) continue to provide services in languages other than English as needed to facilitate access to essential functions of government, promote public health and safety, ensure due process, promote equal educational opportunity, and protect fundamental rights; and (5) recognize the importance of multilingualism to vital American interests and individual rights, and oppose English-only measures and other restrictionist language measures.

H.R.727

Title: To provide for the issuance of bonds to provide funding for the construction of schools of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Pomeroy, Earl [ND]

Committees: House Ways and Means House Education and Labor House Natural Resources

Latest Major Action: 1/27/2009, referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and to the Committees on Education and Labor, and Natural Resources.

Summary: 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.

H.R.913

Title: To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to strengthen mentoring programs, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Davis, Susan A. [CA-53]

Committees: House Education and Labor

Latest Major Action: 3/23/2009, referred to House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.

H.R.1122

Title: To require the Secretary of the Interior to plan, design, and construct a new school at Third Mesa, Arizona, on the Hopi Indian Reservation.

Sponsor: Rep Franks, Trent [AZ-2]

Committees: House Education and Labor

Latest Major Action: 3/30/2009, referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.

Summary: Hopi School Replacement Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to plan, design, and construct a new school at Third Mesa, Arizona, on the Hopi Indian Reservation, to replace the Hopi Day School and the Hotevilla Bacavi Community School, within three years after funds are made available for such purpose.

S.178

Title: A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize a connecting education and emerging professions demonstration grant program.

Sponsor: Sen Feingold, Russell D. [WI]

Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

Latest Major Action: 1/8/2009, referred to Senate committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Summary: Requires such grants to be used to: (1) assess emerging industry pathways and the academic skills needed to succeed in them; (2) design school- and work-based curricula or programs to teach such skills; (3) implement the new curricula or programs in schools where at least 30% of the students are impoverished, that have graduation rates below their state's average, and whose community is experiencing significant or increased unemployment; and (4) evaluate best practices from such curricula or programs and disseminate them to other educational entities.

S.633

Title: A bill to establish a program for tribal colleges and universities within the Department of Health and Human Services and to amend the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to authorize the provision of grants and cooperative agreements to tribal colleges and universities, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Sen Tester, Jon [MT]

Committees: Senate Indian Affairs

Latest Major Action: 4/2/2009 Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.

Summary: Tribal Health Promotion and Tribal Colleges and Universities Advancement Act of 2009 - Through Higher Education: Promoting the Advancement of Tribal Health Act or THE PATH Act - Defines "tribal college or university" as having the meaning given the term by specified provisions of the Higher Education Act of 1965. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the American Indian Higher Education Consortium for equitable Native American participation in HHS programs, services, and resources and to provide technical assistance to tribal colleges and universities. Requires grants to, or cooperative agreements with, tribal colleges and universities for: (1) health and wellness fairs, health promotion and disease prevention programs, and programs to reduce tribal community health disparities; (2) developing and strengthening public health professional degree programs; (3) research, grant management, and coordination of tribal college and university activities; and (4) research on health promotion and disease prevention. Establishes the Tribal College and University Rural Health Equity Endowment Fund to endow a tribal health professions workforce development program. Advancing Tribes Through Tribal Colleges and Universities Act or the AT TCUs Act - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to require the Secretary of Labor to establish the TCU Native Prosperity Program of grants to, or cooperative agreements with, tribal colleges and universities for economic development, entrepreneurship, community development, and sound fiscal leadership in Indian communities.

S.759

Title: A bill to amend the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to reauthorize a provision relating to additional contract authority for States with Indian reservations.

Sponsor: Sen Bingaman, Jeff [NM]

Committees: Senate Enviroment and Public Works

Latest Major Action: 4/1/2009, read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Summary: Indian School Bus Route Safety Reauthorization Act of 2009 - Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to authorize appropriations for FY2010-FY2015 for allocations to states for Indian reservation roads.

S.1430

Title: A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 regarding highly qualified teachers, growth models, adequate yearly progress, Native American language programs, and parental involvement, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Sen Murkowski, Lisa [AK]

Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

Latest Major Action: 7/9/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Summary: School Accountability Improvements Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow local educational agencies (LEAs) that are unable to provide a small, rural, or remote school with a highly-qualified on-site classroom teacher for a core academic subject to use distance education provided by a teacher who is highly qualified in the subject, provided a teacher who is highly-qualified in another subject is present in the classroom to assist students during the distance education. Allows states to use a growth model in calculating whether students are making adequately yearly progress (AYP) toward state academic performance standards if the state plan ensures their attainment of proficiency within certain periods of time. Gives schools which are identified as needing improvement an extra year to make AYP before being required to allow student transfers. Limits the transfer option to students who do not meet proficiency standards. Permits LEAs identified as needing improvement to provide supplemental educational services themselves. Allows schools and LEAs identified as needing improvement due to an underperforming disabled or limited English proficient (LEP) student subgroup to limit their improvement plan to such failing subgroup. Eliminates the requirements that schools face corrective action or restructuring and LEAs face corrective action because of such a subgroup's underperformance, if AYP can be shown using a growth model that counts students who are on track to attain proficiency by their final year in secondary school. Requires AYP measurements of certain schools providing Native language instruction to kindergarten through second grade children in states with no AYP assessment in such language to exclude grade three results and employ a growth model requiring progress toward proficiency by seventh grade. Allows partnerships receiving subgrants for preparing, recruiting, and training teachers and principals to include parent teacher organizations and use funds for activities enhancing parental involvement.

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Federal Indian Relations

H.J.Res.46

Title: To acknowledge a long history of official depredations and ill-conceived policies by the United States Government regarding Indian tribes and offer an apology to all Native Peoples on behalf of the United States.

Sponsor: Rep Boren, Dan [OK-2]

Related Bill: S.J.Res.14

Committees: House Natural Resources

Latest Major Action: 4/30/2009, referred to House Committee on Natural Resources.

Summary: Recognizes the special legal and political relationship the Indian tribes have with the United States and the solemn covenant with the land we share. Commends and honors the Native Peoples for the thousands of years that they have stewarded and protected this land. Recognizes that there have been years of official depredations, ill-conceived policies, and the breaking of covenants by the U.S. government regarding Indian tribes. Apologizes on behalf of the people of the United States to all Native Peoples for the many instances of violence, maltreatment, and neglect inflicted on them by U.S. citizens. Expresses the regret of the United States for the ramifications of former wrongs and its commitment to build on the positive relationships of the past and present to move toward reconciliation. Urges the President to acknowledge the wrongs of the United States against Indian tribes in U.S. history. Commends the state governments that have begun reconciliation efforts with recognized Indian tribes located in their boundaries, and encourages all state governments to do the same. Prohibits anything in this Joint Resolution from authorizing or supporting any claim against the United States or serving as a settlement of any claim against the United States.

Related News and Information: Senators to Indians: We're sorry (Argusleader.com) 8/07/09

H.R.369

Title: To designate certain Federal lands in Riverside County, California, as wilderness, to designate certain river segments in Riverside County as a wild, scenic, or recreational river, to adjust the boundary of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Bono Mack, Mary [CA-45]

Committees: House Natural Resources

Related Bills: H.R.146 S.22

Latest Major Action: 2/4/2009, referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.

Summary: California Desert and Mountain Heritage Act of 2009 - Designates the following lands in California as wilderness: (1) certain Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands in the Cleveland National Forest, to be part of the Agua Tibia Wilderness; (2) specified lands in the San Bernardino National Forest to be known as the Cahuilla Mountain Wilderness and the South Fork San Jacinto Wilderness and certain BLM land in such Forest as part of the Santa Rosa Wilderness; (3) certain BLM land in Riverside County, to be known as the Beauty Mountain Wilderness; (4) certain land in JoshuaTree National Park, to be part of the Joshua Tree Wilderness; (5) certain BLM land in the county as part of the Orocopia Mountains Wilderness (excluding specified corridors); (6) certain BLM land in the county as part of the Palen/McCoy Wilderness; (7) certain BLM land in the county to be known as the Pinto Mountains Wilderness; and (8) certain BLM land in the county as part of the Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness

H.R. 474

Title: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend the Indian employment credit and the depreciation rules for poverty used predominantly within an Indian reservation.

Sponsor: Rep Boren, Dan [OK-2]

Related Bill: S.288

Committees: House Ways and Means

Latest Major Action: 1/13/2009, referred to House committee on Ways and Means.

Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent: (1) the Indian employment tax credit; and (2) accelerated depreciation of business property used on Indian reservations.

H.R.862

Title: To express the policy of the United States regarding the United States relationship with Native Hawaiians, to provide a process for the reorganization of a Native Hawaiian government and the recognition by the United States of the Native Hawaiian government, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Abercrombie, Neil [HI-1]

Related Bill: H.R.1711, H.R.2314, S.381, S.708 S.1011

Committees: House Natural Resources; House Judiciary

Latest Major Action: 7/23/2009 referred to House subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Summary: Establishes the U.S. Office for Native Hawaiian Affairs (Office) within the Office of the Secretary of the Interior. Requires the Attorney General to designate a Department of Justice official to assist the Office in the implementation and protection of the rights of Native Hawaiians and their political, legal, and trust relationship with the United States.

Related News Stories: More details on the U.S. Senate Committee hearing on the Akaka bill. (Hawaii Reporter) 8/11/09.

H.R.1395

Title: To clarify the rights of Indians and Indian tribes on Indian lands under the National Labor Relations Act.

Sponsor: Rep Kline, John [MN-2}

Committees: House Education Labor

Latest Major Action: 4/29/2009 Referred to the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions.

Summary: Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2009 - 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.

H.R.1697

Title: To ensure the coordination and integration of Indian tribes in the National Homeland Security strategy and to establish an Office of Tribal Government Homeland Security within the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Pallone, Frank, Jr. [NJ-6]

Committees: House Natural Resources; House Homeland Security

Latest Major Action: 3/30/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions.

Summary: 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. Makes Indian tribes eligible to apply for, receive, direct, and supervise any homeland security-related federal grant program.

H.R.1741

Title: To require the Attorney General to make competitive grants to eligible State, tribal, and local governments to establish and maintain certain protection and witness assistance programs.

Sponsor: Rep Cummings, Elijah E. [MD-7]

Committees: House Judiciary House Report 111-138

Latest Major Action: 6/10/2009 Referred to Senate committee on the Judiciary.

Summary: Witness Security and Protection Grant Program Act of 2009 - Directs the Attorney General to make competitive grants to state, tribal, and local prosecutors to establish or maintain programs to protect or provide assistance to witnesses in cases involving homicide, a serious or violent felony, or a serious drug offense. Directs: (1) the U.S. Marshals Service to provide technical assistance to recipients of grants under this Act; (2) such recipients to submit reports to the Attorney General evaluating witness protection programs; and (3) the Attorney General to develop best practice models to assists states and other entities in addressing witness safety, witness relocation, financial and housing assistance for witnesses, and other necessary assistance.

H.R.1924

Title: To amend the Indian Law Enforcement Reform Act, the Indian Tribal Justice Act, the Indian Tribal Justice Technical and Legal Assistance Act of 2000, and the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to improve the prosecution of, and response to, crimes in Indian country, and for other purposes. This Act may be cited as the `Tribal Law and Order Act of 2009

Sponsor: Rep Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie [SD]

Related Bill: S.797 S. Rep. 111-93

Committees: House Judiciary; House Natural Resources; House Energy and Commerce; House Education and Labor

Latest Major Action: 5/26/2009 Referred to House subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Summary: Tribal Law and Order Act of 2009 - Amends the Indian Law Enforcement Reform Act to make a variety of changes to increase Native American tribes' law enforcement powers and increase federal powers and responsibilities regarding crimes on Indian land, including: (1) allowing federal officials, with the consent of the tribe, to investigate offenses against tribal criminal laws; (2) providing technical assistance and training to tribal law enforcement officials regarding use of the National Criminal Information Center (NCIC) database; (3) requiring federal and local officials, when they decline to investigate crimes on Indian land, to report to Native officials and requiring such officials, when they decline to prosecute, to turn over evidence to Native officials; (4) establishing in the criminal division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) the Office of Indian Country Crime to develop, enforce, and administer federal criminal laws in Indian country; (5) authorizing, at the request of a tribe, concurrent federal-tribal jurisdiction; (6) authorizing grants to state, tribal, and local governments that enter into cooperative agreements, including agreements relating to mutual aid, hot pursuit of suspects, and cross-deputization; (7) requiring the Attorney General to allow tribal and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) law enforcement agencies to directly access and enter information into federal criminal information databases (under current law, such access is limited); and (8) increasing the criminal sentences tribal courts may impose.

Related News Stories: Tribal Law and Order Act to enhance criminal justice in Indian Country (Northwest Indian Law & Business Advisor) 10/5/09.

S.65

Title: A bill to provide relief to the Pottawatomi Nation in Canada for settlement of certain claims against the United States.

Sponsor: Sen Inouye, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 1/6/2009)

Committees: Judiciary

Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009, referred to Senate Committee on Judiciary.

Summary: Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay a specified sum to the Pottawatomi Nation in Canada in settlement and full satisfaction of certain claims. Excludes such payment from the provisions of the Indian Tribal Judgment Funds Use or Distribution Act.

S.617

Title: A bill to provide compensation to the Lower Brule and Crow Creek Sioux Tribes of South Dakota for damage to tribal land caused by Pick-Sloan projects along the Missouri River. This Act may be cited as the `Lower Brule and Crow Creek Tribal Compensation Act'

Sponsor: Sen Johnson, Tim [SD]

Committees: Senate Indian Affairs

Latest Major Action: 3/17/2009, read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

Summary: Lower Brule and Crow Creek Tribal Compensation Act - Amends the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Infrastructure Development Trust Fund Act to increase the aggregate amount to be deposited into the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Infrastructure Development Trust Fund by the Secretary of the Treasury to provide compensation to the Lower Brule Tribe of South Dakota for damage to tribal land caused by Pick-Sloan projects along the Missouri River.

S.789

Title: A bill to require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study on the feasibility and suitability of constructing a storage reservoir, outlet works, and a delivery system for the Tule River Indian Tribe of the Tule River Reservation in the State of California to provide a water supply for domestic, municipal, industrial, and agricultural purposes, and for other purposes.This Act may be cited as the `Tule River Tribe Water Development Act'.

Sponsor: Sen Feinstein, Dianne [CA]

Related Bill: H.R.1945

Committees: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Latest Major Action: 7/23/2009, subcommittee on Water and Power. Date of scheduled hearing. SD-366. 2:30 p.m.

Summary: not yet available

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Health & Human Services

S.CON.RES.13

Title: To increase the budget authority for the Indian Health Service by an additional $200 million to obtain a total $600 million increase over the FY 2009 enacted level.

Sponsor: Sen Dorgan, Byron L. [ND]

Related Bills:H.CON.RES.85 H.RES.371 H.J.RES.45

Committees: Senate Budget

Latest Major Action: 4/29/2009, Senate agreed to conference report by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 43. Record Vote Number: 173.

Summary: Too long to include here. View summary from S.CON.RES,13 link above.

H.R.2

Title: To amend title XXI of the Social Security Act to extend and improve the Children's Health Insurance Program, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Pallone, Frank, Jr. [NJ-6]

Related Bills: H.RES.52 H.RES.107 S.275

Committees: House Eneregy and Commerce, House Ways and Means, House Education and Labor

Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 111-3

Waives the 10% cap on CHIP payments for outreach with respect to any expenditures for outreach activities to families of Indian children likely to be eligible for child health assistance under the state Medicaid plan or related waivers.

H.R.2708

Title: Indian Health Care Improvement Act

Sponsor: Rep Pallone, Frank, Jr. [NJ-6]

Committees: House Ways and Means House Natural Resources (hearing video) House Eneregy and Commerce

Latest Major Action: 6/25/2009 Committee Hearings Held.

Summary: Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of 2009 - Amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to revise requirements for health care programs and services for Indians, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations. Replaces the Urban Health Programs Branch with a Division of Urban Indian Health. Authorizes grants to urban Indian organizations for health information technology, telemedicine services development, and related infrastructure. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Indian Health Service, to provide programs of comprehensive behavioral health, prevention, and treatment. Excludes from gross income: (1) services or benefits provided or purchased by the Service; and (2) services or benefits provided by a tribe or tribal organization, directly or through insurance. Declares that these provisions are not intended as an inference to the tax treatment of governmental benefits provided by tribes to Indians. Reauthorizes the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. Amends the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to direct the Secretary to establish the Native American Health and Wellness Foundation. Expands coverage for qualified Indians in the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP) under title XXI of the Social Security Act (SSA), as well as under Medicare (SSA title XVIII) and Medicaid (SSA title XIX). Authorizes related payments to Indian Health Programs operating in the state.

S.52

Title: A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide 100 percent reimbursement for medical assistance provided to a Native Hawaiian through a Federally-qualified health center or a Native Hawaiian health care system. This Act may be cited as the `Native Hawaiian Medicaid Coverage Act of 2009'.

Sponsor: Sen Inouye, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 1/6/2009)

Committees: Senate Finance

Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009, referred to Senate Committee on Finance.

Summary: Native Hawaiian Medicaid Coverage Act of 2009 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide full reimbursement (100% of the federal medical assistance percentage or FMAP) for medical assistance given to a Native Hawaiian through a federally-qualified health center or a Native Hawaiian health care system.

S.76

Title: A bill to amend the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act to revise and extend that Act. This Act may be cited as the `Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Reauthorization Act of 2009'

Sponsor: Sen Inouye, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 1/6/2009)

Committees: Senate Indian Affairs

Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009, referred to Senate Committee on Indian Affaris.

Summary: Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Reauthorization Act of 2009 - Reauthorizes for for FY2009-FY2014 and revises the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act. Requires any Department of Health and Human Services grant to or contract with Papa Ola Lokahi (an organization of public agencies and private organizations focused on improving the health status of Native Hawaiians) to support community-based initiatives that reflect holistic approaches to health.Requires Papa Ola Lokahi to report to Congress on the impact of federal and state health care financing mechanisms and policies on the health and well-being of Native Hawaiians. Makes Papa Ola Lokahi eligible to receive research endowments under the Public Health Service Act. Adds to authorized services the support of culturally appropriate activities enhancing health and wellness, including land-, water-, ocean-, and spiritually-based projects and programs.Allows a priority for Native Hawaiian health scholarships to be provided to employees of the Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems and the Native Hawaiian Health Centers. Allows the provision of financial assistance to a scholarship recipient during the period of obligated service in any of such health care systems or health centers.Authorizes Papa Ola Lokahi to provide fellowships to Native Hawaiian health professionals.Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to allocate funds to carry out Native Hawaiian demonstration projects of national significance, including the establishment of specified Native Hawaiian Centers of Excellence. Deems the Papa Ola Lokahi as a qualified Center of Excellence.

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Lands & Natural Resources

H.Res.48

Title: Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to establish the Committee on Indian Affairs.

Sponsor: Rep Rehberg, Denny [MT]

Committees: House rules

Latest Major Action: 1/9/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Rules.

Summary: Amends Rule X (Organization of Committees) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to establish the Committee on Indian Affairs.

H.R. 49

Title: To direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish and implement a competitive oil and gas leasing program that will result in an environmentally sound program for the exploration, development, and production of the oil and gas resources of the Coastal Plain of Alaska, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Young, Don [AK]

Committees: House Science and Technology, House Natural Resources, House Eneregy and Commerce

Latest Major Action: 2/4/2009 Referred to House subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

Summary: American Energy Independence and Price Reduction Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to implement a competitive leasing program for the exploration, development, and production of the oil and gas resources on the Coastal Plain of Alaska. Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 to repeal the prohibition against leasing or other development leading to production of oil and gas from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Deems any oil and gas leasing programs and activities authorized by this Act to be in compliance with ANWR purposes. Authorizes the Secretary to designate up to 45,000 acres of the Coastal Plain as a Special Area, after consultation with the state of Alaska, the city of Kaktovik, and the North Slope Borough. Permits directional drilling in the Special Area.

H.R.146

Title: An act to designate certain land as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, to authorize certain programs and activities in the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Holt, Rush D. [NJ-12]

Related Bills: Too many bills to list here. Click on H.R.146 link for all of them.

Committees: House Natural Resources

Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 111-11

Summary: Designates specified federal lands in the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia, as wilderness and as either a new component, or an addition to an existing component, of the National Wilderness Preservation System.

Related News and Information: Senate Passes Bill Containing Navajo Water Projects and Agreements (Navajo Nation) 3/19/09. New law settles tribal water rights (Indian Country Today) 4/13/09.

H.R.326

Title: To direct the Secretary of the Interior to take lands in Yuma County, Arizona, into trust as part of the reservation of the Cocopah Tribe of Arizona, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7]

Committees: House Natural Resources, Senate Indian Affairs

Latest Major Action: 4/2/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee action on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.

Summary: Cocopah Lands Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior, if the Cocopah Indian Tribe of Arizona transfers title to certain described land to the Secretary, to take it into trust for the benefit of the Tribe, if there are no recognized environmental conditions or contamination related concerns and no adverse legal claims to such land. Considers such land to be part of the Tribe's initial reservation. Designates Yuma county, Arizona, as the Tribe's service area for the delivery of federal services to enrolled Tribe members. Prohibits using the trust land for gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

H.R. 699

Title: To modify the requirements applicable to locatable minerals on public domain lands, consistent with the principles of self-initiation of mining claims, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Rahall, Nick J., II [WV-3]

Committees: House Natural Resources

Latest Major Action:: 2/26/2009, subcommittee Hearings Held

Summary: Permits a state or local government or Indian tribe to petition the Secretary of the Interior for withdrawal of specific federal land from operation of the general mining laws in order to protect specific values.

H.R.845

Title: To authorize the Crow Tribe of Indians water rights settlement, and for other purposes. This Act may be cited as the `Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2009'.

Sponsor: Rep Rehberg, Denny [MT]

Related Bill: S.375

Committees: House Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Water and Power

Latest Major Action: 2/09/2009, referred to House Subcommittee on Water and Power

Summary: Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2009 - Ratifies the water rights compact between the Crow Tribe and the state of Montana. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to promptly execute the compact and comply with applicable environmental statutes.

H.R.925

Title: To amend the Colorado River Storage Project Act and Public Law 87-483 to authorize the construction and rehabilitation of water infrastructure in Northwestern New Mexico, to authorize the use of the reclamation fund to fund the Reclamation Water Settlements Fund, to authorize the conveyance of certain Reclamation land and infrastructure, to authorize the Commissioner of Reclamation to provide for the delivery of water, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Lujan Ben, Ray [NM-3]

Committees: House Natural Resources

Latest Major Action: 2/12/2009, referred to the House Subcommittee on Water and Power.

Summary: Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act - Amends the Colorado River Storage Project Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) create and operate within the available capacity of Navajo Reservoir (the reservoir created by the impoundment of the San Juan River at Navajo Dam) a top water bank; and (2) construct, operate, and maintain the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project.

H.R. 1061

Title: To transfer certain land to the United States to be held in trust for the Hoh Indian Tribe, to place land into trust for the Hoh Indian Tribe, and for other purposes. This Act may be cited as the `Hoh Indian Tribe Safe Homelands Act'.

Sponsor: Rep Dicks, Norman D. [WA-6]

Related Bill: S.443

Committees: House Natural Resources

Latest Major Action: 7/9/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Summary: Hoh Indian Tribe Safe Homelands Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer certain federal and nonfederal land in Washington to the Hoh Indian Tribe, to be held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the Tribe. Prohibits on such land: (1) the placement of commercial, residential, or industrial buildings; (2) logging and hunting activities; or (3) gaming.

Related News and Information: Hoh tribe makes case for land to move reservation (Nativetimes.com) 4/28/09.Hoh Indians head for higher ground (Indian Country Today) 1/13/09.

H.R.1462

Title: To provide for a study by the National Academy of Engineering regarding improving the accuracy of collection of royalties on production of oil, condensate, and natural gas under leases of Federal lands and Indian lands, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14]

Committees: House Natural Resources

Latest Major Action: 3/16/2009 Referred to House subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

Summary: Study of Ways to Improve the Accuracy of the Collection of Federal Oil, Condensate, and Natural Gas Royalties Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to arrange with the National Academy of Engineering to study and report to the Secretary regarding whether the accuracy of collection of royalties on production of oil, condensate, and natural gas under leases of federal lands (including submerged, deep water, and Indian lands) would be improved by implementing certain prescribed measures. Requires the Secretary to award a contract under which the contractor shall: (1) compare royalty payments made under federal oil and gas lease provisions for covered lands against data supplied to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC); (2) make such comparison retroactive to June 1, 1974; (3) determine whether the correct production standard volume and heating content analysis was used to calculate such payments; and (4) determine whether such payments were adequate under the terms of the oil and gas leases.

H.R.1554

Title: To take certain property in McIntosh County, Oklahoma, into trust for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Boren, Dan [OK-2]

Committees: House Natural Resources

Latest Major Action: 3/17/2009 Referred to House subcommittee on Natural Resources.

Summary: Fountainhead Property Land Transfer Act - Requires, immediately after completion of the survey required by this Act, receipt of consideration and costs, and satisfaction of all terms specified by the Secretary of the Interior, the transfer of administrative jurisdiction over specified federal land in McIntosh County, Oklahoma, within the boundary of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation (the Tribe) to the Secretary, who shall take such land into trust for the benefit of the Tribe. Requires the Tribe to pay: (1) fair market value for the land; (2) the costs of the survey; and (3) 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.

H.R.1562

Title: To provide compensation to the Lower Brule and Crow Creek Sioux Tribes of South Dakota for damage to tribal land caused by Pick-Sloan projects along the Missouri River.

Sponsor: Rep Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie [SD]

Related Bill: S.617

Committees: House Natural Resources

Latest Major Action: 3/17/2009, referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Summary: Lower Brule and Crow Creek Tribal Compensation Act - Amends the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Infrastructure Development Trust Fund Act to increase the aggregate amount to be deposited into the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Infrastructure Development Trust Fund by the Secretary of the Treasury to provide compensation to the Lower Brule Tribe of South Dakota for damage to tribal land caused by Pick-Sloan projects along the Missouri River. Amends the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe Infrastructure Development Trust Fund Act of 1996 to increase the aggregate amount to be deposited into the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe Infrastructure Development Trust Fund by the Secretary to provide compensation to the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe of South Dakota for such damage. Considers this Act to be full and final compensation to the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe and the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe for damages caused by the construction of the Fort Randall Dam and the Big Bend Dam under the Pick-Sloan Missouri River Basin Program.

S.22

Title: A bill to designate certain land as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, to authorize certain programs and activities in the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [NM]

Related Bills: Too many bills to list here. Click on H.R.146 link for all of them.

Committees: (none)

Latest Major Action: 3/11/2009, failed of passage/not agreed to in House. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 282 - 144 (Roll no. 117). Note: For further action, see H.R.146, which became Public Law 111-11 on 3/30/2009.

Summary: Too long to include here. View summary from S.22 link above. This legislation includes provisions relating to tribal irrigation projects and upholding treaty rights of tribes.

S.38

Title: A bill to establish a United States Boxing Commission to administer the Act, and for other purposes. This Act may be cited as the `Professional Boxing Amendments Act of 2009'.

Sponsor: Sen McCain, John. [AZ]

Related Bill: S.523

Latest Major Action: 5/20/2009. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Summary: Professional Boxing Amendments Act of 2009 - Amends the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 to: (1) authorize a tribal organization to establish a boxing commission; (2) prohibit arranging, promoting, or fighting in a match unless the match is approved by the United States Boxing Commission (USBC) and held in a state or on tribal land that regulates matches in accordance with USBC standards; (3) require specified pre-fight boxer physical examinations and to require the continuous presence during any match of an ambulance and emergency medical personnel; (4) provide for boxing registration with the appropriate boxing commission of an Indian tribe; (5) require a health and safety disclosure to a boxer when issuing an identification card and to establish procedures for review of a summary suspension; (6) require the USBC to develop guidelines for boxing contracting requirements and for rating professional boxers; (7) require the sanctioning organization for a match and its promoter to provide specified disclosures; (8) prohibit a promoter from arranging a championship match or a match scheduled unless all participating judges and referees are by the USBC; (9) require the USBC to establish and maintain a registry of comprehensive medical records and medical denials or suspensions for every licensed boxer; and (10) apply conflict-of-interest provisions to USBC officers and employees.

S.39

Title: A bill to repeal section 10(f) of Public Law 93-531, commonly known as the "Bennett Freeze".

Sponsor: Sen McCain, John. [AZ]

Committees: Senate Indian Affairs

Related Bill: H.R.1762

Latest Major Action: 4/21/2009, passed/agreed to in House. PL 111-18

Summary: Amends federal law to repeal the requirement regarding the freeze on the development of lands in litigation under the Navajo-Hopi Settlement Act of 1974.

Related News and Iinformation: Obama signs Bennett Freeze repeal. (Navajo Times) 5/14/09. Repeal of Bennett Freeze spurs hope for economic development. (Indian County Today) 4/28/09. Statement by Senator McCain on final passage of S.39. (Press release) 4/21/09.

S.280

Title: A bill to develop a program to acquire interests in land from eligible individuals within the Crow Reservation in the State of Montana, and for other purposes. This Act may be cited as the `Crow Tribe Land Restoration Act'.

Sponsor: Sen Baucus, Max [MT]

Committees: Senate Indian Affairs

Latest Major Action: 1/16/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

Summary: Crow Tribe Land Restoration Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a loan program to assist the Crow Tribe of the State of Montana in purchasing from eligible individuals land and interests in land within the Crow Reservation in the state. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into one or more loan obligation(s) with the Tribe as the Secretary determines necessary to fund such program

S.313

Title: A bill to resolve water rights claims of the White Mountain Apache Tribe in the State of Arizona, and for other purposes. This Act may be cited as the `White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act of 2009'

Sponsor: Sen Kyl, Jon [AZ]

Committees: Senate Indian Affairs

Related Bills: H.R.1065

Lastest Major Action: 9/10/2009 Senate Committee on Indian Affairs ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Summary: White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act of 2009 - Authorizes, ratifies, and confirms the White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Agreement and amendments made to such Agreement by this Act. Requires the Secretary of the Interior, in implementing the Agreement, to comply with all requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and all other applicable environmental laws. Requires the water rights of the Tribe to be held in trust by the United States. Provides for reallocations of certain water rights to the Tribe.

S.338

Title: A bill to amend the Omnibus Indian Advancement Act to modify the date as of which certain tribal land of the Lytton Rancheria of California is deemed to be held in trust and to provide for the conduct of certain activities on the land.

Sponsor: Sen Feinstein, Dianne

Latest Major Action: 3/16/2009, referred to House Committee on Natural Resources.

Summary: Amends the Omnibus Indian Advancement Act to repeal the declaration that specified land accepted by the Secretary of the Interior for the benefit of the Lytton Rancheria in California shall be deemed to have been held in trust and part of the reservation of the Rancheria prior to October 17, 1988. (The date on the recorded deed is October 16, 2000.) Allows the Lytton Rancheria to conduct activities for class II gaming on the land taken into trust. Prohibits the Lytton Rancheria from expanding the exterior physical measurements of any facility on the Rancheria in use for class II gaming activities. States that, for class III gaming purposes, the land taken into trust shall be treated, for purposes of provisions relating to gaming on lands acquired in trust after October 17, 1988, as if the land was acquired on October 9, 2003, the date on which the Secretary took it into trust.

S.522

Title: A bill to resolve the claims of the Bering Straits Native Corporation and the State of Alaska to land adjacent to Salmon Lake in the State of Alaska and to provide for the conveyance to the Bering Straits Native Corporation of certain other public land in partial satisfaction of the land entitlement of the Corporation under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.

Sponsor: Sen Murkowski, Lisa [AK]

Committees: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Related Bill: H.R.2340

Latest Major Action: Senate subbcommittee on Public Lands and Forests scheduled hearing. SD-366. 2:30 p.m. for 10/8/2009.

Summary: Salmon Lake Land Selection Resolution Act - Ratifies the Salmon Lake Area Land Ownership and Consolidation Agreement, which was executed by the Department of the Interior, the state of Alaska, and the Bering Straits Native Corporation on July 18, 2007. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to carry out all actions permitted or required under the Agreement.

S.789

Title: A bill to require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study on the feasibility and suitability of constructing a storage reservoir, outlet works, and a delivery system for the Tule River Indian Tribe of the Tule River Reservation in the State of California to provide a water supply for domestic, municipal, industrial, and agricultural purposes, and for other purposes.This Act may be cited as the `White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act of 2009'

Sponsor: Sen Feinstein, Dianne

Related Bill: H.R.1945

Committees: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Latest Major Action: 7/23/2009 subcommittee on Water and Power. Date of scheduled hearing. SD-366. 2:30 p.m.

Summary: not yet available

S.802

Title: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow Indian tribes to transfer the credit for electricity produced from renewable resources.

Sponsor: Sen Johnson, Tim [SD]

Committees: Senate Finance

Latest Major Action: 4/2/2009, referred to Senate committee on Finance.

Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an Indian tribe, in the case of a facility that uses a renewable energy resource to produce electricity in which such tribe has an ownership interest in the gross sales from such facility, to assign to any other person who has such an ownership interest any portion of the production from the facility that would, but for this Act, be allocated to such tribe for purposes of the renewable electricity production credit.

Related Articles: Legislation would make wind energy easier for state’s tribes (Plainsman) 4/03/09.

S.965

Title: A bill to approve the Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreement, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [NM]

Committees: Senate Indian Affairs

Latest Major Action: 9/10/2009 Senate Committee on Indian Affairs ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.

Summary: Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Act - Authorizes, ratifies, and confirms the Settlement Agreement of March 31, 2006, between the United States, the Taos Pueblo, New Mexico, the Taos Valley Acequia Association and its 55 member ditches, Taos, the El Prado Water and Sanitation District (EPWSD), and the 12 Taos area Mutual Domestic Water Consumers Associations. Requires water rights to which the Taos Pueblo is entitled under the Partial Final Decree entered in New Mexico v. Abeyta and New Mexico v. Arellano to be held in trust by the United States. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, to provide: (1) grants and technical assistance to the Pueblo to construct, replace, or rehabilitate water infrastructure, to protect the environment associated with the Buffalo Pasture area, and to enhance watershed conditions; and (2) financial assistance to eligible non-Pueblo entities for mutual-benefit projects in accordance with the Agreement. Establishes in the Treasury a Taos Pueblo Water Development Fund. Authorizes the Pueblo to market its water rights under the Agreement. Directs the Secretary to enter into three repayment contracts by December 31, 2009, for the delivery of specified amounts of San Juan-Chama Project water to the Pueblo, the town of Taos, and EPWSD. Provides for the waiver and release of claims against the parties to New Mexico v. Abeyta and New Mexico v. Arellano in return for recognition of the Pueblo's water rights.

S.1105

Title: A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, to develop water infrastructure in the Rio Grande Basin, and to approve the settlement of the water rights claims of the Pueblos of Nambe, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, and Tesuque.

Sponsor: Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [NM]

Related Bill: H.R.3342

Committees: Senate Indian Affairs

Latest Major Action: 9/30/2009 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Summary: not yet available

S.1388

Title: A bill to provide for equitable compensation to the Spokane Tribe of Indians of the Spokane Reservation for the use of tribal land for the production of hydropower by the Grand Coulee Dam, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Sen Cantwell, Maria [WA]

Related Bill: H.R.3097

Committees: Senate Indian Affairs

Summary: 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.

S.1448

Title: A bill to amend the Act of August 9, 1955, to authorize the Coquille Indian Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw, the Klamath Tribes, and the Burns Paiute Tribe to obtain 99-year lease authority for trust land.

Sponsor: Sen Merkley, Jeff [OR]

Committees: Senate Indian Affairs

Latest Major Action: 7/14/2009, read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

Summary: not yet available

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Tribal Recognition

H.R.31

Title: To provide for the recognition of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, and for other purposes. This Act may be cited as the `Lumbee Recognition Act'.

Sponsor: Rep McIntyre, Mike [NC-7] (introduced 1/6/2009)

Related Bill: H.RES.490 S.1735

Committees: House Natural Resources House Report 111-103

Latest Major Action: 6/9/2009 Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 72.

Summary: Lumbee Recognition Act - Extends federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.

Related News and Information: Burr: right "vehicle" needed for Lumbee bill. (Robesonian) 8/11/09. House passes bills to recognize seven tribes. (Boston Globe) 6/3/09. Lumbee recognition bill heads to full U.S. House. (Fayetteville Observer) 4/23/09. Senate panel passes bills to recognize 7 tribes. (The Associated Press) 10/22/09.

H.R.839

Title: To provide for the consideration of a petition for Federal Recognition of the Lumbee Indians of Robeson and adjoining counties and other Indian groups in North Carolina, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Shuler, Heath [NC-11]

Committees: House Natural Resources

Latest Major Action: 2/3/2009, referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Summary: Provides for the consideration of a petition for federal recognition as an Indian tribe of a group or organization representing the Lumbee Indians of Robeson and adjoining counties of North Carolina, the Lumbee Regional Development Association, Inc., the Lumbee Tribe of Cheraw Indians, the Hatteras Tuscarora Indians, the Cherokee Indians of Robeson and Adjoining Counties, the Cherokee Indians of Hoke County, Inc., or the Tuscarora Nation of North Carolina. Expresses the sense of the Congress that review of such petition should not unnecessarily delay review of petitions awaiting active consideration.

H.R.1358

Title: To reaffirm and clarify the Federal relationship of the Burt Lake Band as a distinct federally recognized Indian Tribe, and for other purposes. This Act may be cited as the `Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Reaffirmation Act'.

Sponsor: Rep Stupak, Bart [MI-1]

Committees: House Natural Resources

Latest Major Action: 7/15/2009 House committee/subcommittee hearings held

Summary: Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Reaffirmation Act - Reaffirms federal recognition and the rights and privileges of the Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians in Cheboygan County, Michigan. Extends to the Band eligibility for all federal services and benefits available to other federally recognized Indian tribes. Designates the service area for the delivery of federal services to the Band and to other Indians in the area of Cheboygan County, Michigan.

H.R.1385

Title: To extend Federal recognition to the Chickahominy Indian Tribe, the Chickahominy Indian Tribe-Eastern Division, the Upper Mattaponi Tribe, the Rappahannock Tribe, Inc., the Monacan Indian Nation, and the Nansemond Indian Tribe. This Act may be cited as the `Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2009'.

Sponsor: Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8]

Related Bill: H.RES.490 S.1178

Committees: House Natural Resources, House Report 111-104

Latest Major Action: 7/15/2009 House committee/subcommittee hearings held.

Summary: Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2009 - Extends federal recognition to the following Indian tribes of Virginia and states their relationship with the federal government as described below: (1) the Chickahominy Tribe; (2) the Chickahominy Indian Tribe--Eastern Division; (3) the Upper Mattaponi Tribe; (4) the Rappahannock Tribe, Inc.; (5) the Monacan Indian Nation; and (6) the Nansemond Indian Tribe. Makes each Tribe and tribal members eligible for all services and benefits provided by the federal government to federally recognized Indian tribes. Sets forth the service area of the Tribe and requirements for the Tribe with respect to submission of a membership roll and governing documents and the governing body of the Tribe.

Related News and Information: House passes bills to recognize seven tribes. (Boston Globe) 6/3/09. House Natural Resources Committee approves Virginia Tribes' federal recognition (Indian Country Today) 5/1/09. Va. tribes nearing recognition, queen comes to Peninsula for healing services (examiner.com) 6/7/09. Senate panel passes bills to recognize 7 tribes. (The Associated Press) 10/22/09

H.R.2576

Title: To restore Federal recognition to the Chinook Nation, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Baird, Brian [WA-3]

Committees: House Natural Resources House Ways and Means

Latest Major Action: 5/21/2009, referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and the Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: 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. Designates specified counties in Washington and Oregon as the Tribe's service area for delivery of federal services to enrolled members. 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. Directs the Secretary: (1) if the Tribe transfers all rights to land to the Secretary, to take such land in trust for the Tribe's benefit, subject to restrictions; (2) to negotiate with the tribal governing body regarding establishing a reservation; and (3) to 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. Requires submission of the plan 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. Allows and regulates ceremonial hunting and fishing in specified Washington counties.

H.R.2678

Title: To extend Federal recognition to the Duwamish Tribe, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep McDermott, Jim [WA-7]

Committees: House Natural Resources

Latest Major Action: 7/15/2009 House committee/subcommittee hearings held.

Summary: Duwamish Tribal Recognition Act - Extends all federal laws and regulations to the Duwamish Tribe. Makes the Tribe and its members eligible for all services and benefits provided by the federal government to federally recognized tribes without regard to the existence of a reservation for the Tribe or the location of the residence of any member on or near any Indian reservation. Defines the Tribe's service area for purposes of the delivery of federal services. Requires the Tribe to submit to the Secretary of the Interior a membership roll of all individuals enrolled in the Tribe. Requires the Tribe to conduct an election by secret ballot to adopt a constitution and bylaws for the Tribe. Requires the Tribe to elect a governing body in accordance with the procedures set forth in its constitution and bylaws. Requires the Secretary to take Tribe service area or aboriginal lands into trust for the benefit of the Tribe if the Tribe transfers all right, title, and interest in and to the land to the Secretary within ten years. Requires the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to identify those lands which shall be considered the aboriginal homelands of the Tribe.

H.R.3120

Title: To extend the Federal relationship to the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana as a distinct federally recognized Indian tribe, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Rehberg, Denny [MT]

Committees: House Natural Resources

Latest Major Action: 7/15/2009, committee hearings held.

Summary: not yet available

Related News and Information: Hearing set for Little Shell's recognition (Great Falls Tribune)

H.R.3690

Title: To establish a Commission on Recognition of Indian Tribes to review and act on petitions by Indian groups applying for Federal recognition, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Faleomavaega, Eni F.H. [AS] (introduced 10/1/2009)

Committees: House Natural Resources

Latest Major Action: 10/1/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Summary: not yet available

S.Res.303

Title: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that October 17, 1984, the date of the restoration by the Federal Government of Federal recognition to the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians, should be memorialized.

Sponsor: Sen Wyden, Ron [OR] (introduced 10/6/2009)

Committees: Senate Indian Affairs

Latest Major Action: 10/6/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

Summary: not yet available

S.530

Title: A bill to extend Federal recognition to the Muscogee Nation of Florida.

Sponsor: Sen Nelson, Bill [FL]

Related Bill: H.R. 1899

Committees: Senate Indian Affairs

Latest Major Action: 3/5/2009, read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs

Summary: Muscogee Nation of Florida Federal Recognition Act - Extends federal recognition to the Muscogee Nation of Florida (the Nation). Makes the Nation and its members eligible for all services and benefits provided by the federal government to federally recognized Indian tribes. Considers, for the purpose of the delivery of federal services to members, the service area of the Nation to be: (1) the community of Bruce in Walton County, Florida; and (2) 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. Declares that theconstitution and bylaws of the Nation shall be the constitution and bylaws of the Nation's Tribal Council dated January 21, 2001 (including amendments). Instructs the Secretary of the Interior, upon receipt of a written request of the Tribal Council, to hold a referendum for members to adopt a new constitution and bylaws. Specifies the role and duties of the Tribal Council. Requires that the membership roll of the Nation be determined in accordance with the membership criteria established by the ordinance of the Nation numbered 04-01-100 and dated February 7, 2004.

S.708

Title: A bill to express the policy of the United States regarding the United States relationship with Native Hawaiians, to provide a process for the reorganization of a Native Hawaiian government and the recognition by the United States of the Native Hawaiian government, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI]

Committees: Senate Indian Affairs

Latest Major Action:: 3/25/2009, referred to Senate Committee on Indian affairs

Summary: Establishes the U.S. Office for Native Hawaiian Affairs (Office) within the Office of the Secretary of the Interior. Requires the Attorney General to designate a Department of Justice official to assist the Office in the implementation and protection of the rights of Native Hawaiians and their political, legal, and trust relationship with the United States. Establishes the Native Hawaiian Interagency Task Force to: (1) coordinate federal policies or actions that may significantly or uniquely affect Native Hawaiian resources, rights, or lands; (2) assure that each federal agency develops a policy on consultation with Native Hawaiians; and (3) assure the participation of such agencies in the development of an annual report on the Task Force. Establishes a process for development of a membership roll for organizing a Native Hawaiian Interim Governing Council and for election of a Native Hawaiian government. Recognizes the right of the Native Hawaiian people to adopt organic governing documents. Extends federal recognition to the government as the representative governing body of the Native Hawaiian people upon election of officers and certification by the Secretary. Permits the United States, upon federal recognition of the Native Hawaiian government, to enter into an agreement with the state of Hawaii and such government regarding the transfer of lands, resources, and assets dedicated to Native Hawaiian use. Prohibits the Native Hawaiian government and Native Hawaiians from conducting gaming activities as a matter of claimed inherent authority or under theauthority of any federal law.

Related News and Information: Obama backs Native Hawaiian self-governance bill (Honoluluadvertiser.com) 8/07/09. Prospects brighten for passage of Akaka Bill (The Maui News) 8/07/09. Hawaiians extend their influence (Nativetimes.com) 4/27/09. Akaka Bill deserves support (Starbulletin.com) 4/24/09. U.S. Supremes rule against Native Hawaiians and claims (Indian Country Today) 4/06/09

S.784

Title: A bill to provide for the recognition of certain Native communities and the settlement of certain claims under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Sen Murkowski, Lisa [AK]

Committees: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Related Bills: H.R.2018

Latest Major Action: 4/2/2009 Referred to Senate committee, on Energy and Natural Resources.

Summary: Unrecognized Southeast Alaska Native Communities Recognition and Compensation Act - Amends the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to permit the Native residents of each of the Native Villages of Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee, and Wrangell, Alaska, to organize as Urban Corporations and to receive certain settlement lands and other compensation pursuant to this Act.

S.1178

Title: A bill to extend Federal recognition to the Chickahominy Indian Tribe, the Chickahominy Indian Tribe-Eastern Division, the Upper Mattaponi Tribe, the Rappahannock Tribe, Inc., the Monacan Indian Nation, and the Nansemond Indian Tribe.

Sponsor: Sen Webb, Jim [VA]

Related Bill: H.R.1385

Committees: Senate Indian Affairs

Latest Major Action: 6/3/2009 Referred to Senate committee on Indian Affairs.

Summary: Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2009 - Extends federal recognition to the following Indian tribes (the tribes) in Virginia and establishes their relationship with the federal government as described below: (1) the Chickahominy Tribe; (2) the Chickahominy Indian Tribe--Eastern Division; (3) the Upper Mattaponi Tribe; (4) the Rappahannock Tribe, Inc.; (5) the Monacan Indian Nation; and (6) the Nansemond Indian Tribe. Makes the tribes and their members eligible for all services and benefits provided by the federal government to federally recognized Indian tribes. Establishes the service area of each tribe and requirements for each tribe regarding its membership roll, governing documents, and governing body. Requires the Secretary of the Interior, on request of any of the tribes, to take specified lands into trust for the benefit of that tribe, to be considered part of that tribe's reservation. Prohibits the tribes from conducting gaming activities. Prohibits this Act from affecting the hunting, fishing, trapping, gathering, and water rights of the tribes and their members. Requires Virginia to exercise jurisdiction over criminal offenses and civil actions on lands in Virginia that are owned by or held in trust for the Tribe. Authorizes the Secretary to accept all or any portion of Virginia's jurisdiction over such offenses and actions on verification by the Secretary of a tribe's certification that the tribe possesses the capacity to reassume such jurisdiction.

Related News and Information: House passes bills to recognize seven tribes. (Boston Globe) 6/3/09.

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General Native American Affairs

H.J.Res.20

Title: To honor the achievements and contributions of Native Americans to the United States, and for other purposes.This Act may be cited as the `Native American Heritage Day Act of 2009'.

Sponsor: Rep Baca, Joe [CA-43]

Related Bills: H.J.Res.40

Committeees: House Oversight and Government Reform

Latest Major Action: 2/10/2009, referred to House committee on Oversight and Goverment Reform.

Summary: Native American Heritage Day Act of 2009 - Encourages observing Native American Heritage Day with appropriate activities, including activities relating to the historical status of tribal governments, present day Native American status, cultures, traditions, and languages, and the Native American cultural legacy.

Related News and Information: House passes Baca legislation to establish Native American Heritage Day 2009 (Targeted News Service) 6/5/09.

H.Res.132

Title: Honoring the life and memory of the Chiricahua Apache leader Goyathlay or Goyaale, also known as Geronimo, and recognizing the 100th anniversary of his death on February 17, 2009, as a time of reflection and the commencement of a "Healing" for all Apache people.

Sponsor: Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7]

Committees: House Natural Resources

Latest Major Action: 2/23/2009 Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

Summary: Honors the life of Goyathlay, also known as Geronimo, his extraordinary bravery, and his commitment to the defense of his homeland, his people, and Apache ways of life. Recognizes the 100th anniversary of the death of Goyathlay as a time of reflection of his deeds on behalf of his people.

H.R.725

Title: To protect Indian arts and crafts through the improvement of applicable criminal proceedings, and for other purposes. This Act may be cited as the `Indian Arts and Crafts Amendments Act of 2009'.

Sponsor: Rep Pastor, Ed

Related Bill: S.151

Committees: House Natural Resources, House Judiciary

Latest Major Action: 1/27/2009, referred to House committee on Natural Resources and House Judiciary.

Summary: Indian Arts and Crafts Amendments Act of 2009 - Amends the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 to: (1) authorize any federal law enforcement officer to conduct an investigation of an offense involving the sale of any good that is misrepresented as an Indian produced good or product that occurs within the jurisdiction of the United States; and (2) authorize the Indian Arts and Crafts Board to refer such an alleged offense to any federal law enforcement officer (currently, just to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)) for appropriate investigation. Permits a federal law enforcement officer to investigate such an alleged offense regardless of whether such officer receives a referral from the Board.

H.R.1129

Title: To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide an annual grant to facilitate an iron working training program for Native Americans.

Sponsor: Rep Lynch, Stephen F. [MA-9]

Committees: House Natural Resources

Latest Major Action: 8/6/2009 Senate Committee on Indian Affairs ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.

Summary: Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), to make an annual grant, to the extent funds are made available for such grant, 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.

H.R.1333

Title: To amend chapter 40 of title 18, United States Code, to exempt the transportation, shipment, receipt, or importation of explosive materials for delivery to a federally recognized Indian tribe or an agency of such a tribe from various Federal criminal prohibitions relating to explosives.

Sponsor: Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7]

Committees: House Judiciary

Latest Major Action: 4/27/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Summary: Amends the federal criminal code to extend the exemption from prohibitions on the transportation, shipment, receipt, or importation of explosive materials to federally-recognized Indian tribes or agencies of such tribes.

H.R.1913

Title: To provide Federal assistance to States, local jurisdictions, and Indian tribes to prosecute hate crimes, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-14]

Related Bill: H.RES.371 S.909 House Report 111-86 (part 1) House Report 111-86 (part 2)

Committees: House Judiciary

Latest Major Action: 4/30/2009 Referred to Senate committee on the Judiciary.

Summary: Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 - (Sec. 2) Adopts the definition of "hate crime" as set forth in the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (i.e., a crime in which the defendant intentionally selects a victim, or in the case of a property crime, the property that is the object of the crime, because of the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, or sexual orientation of any person). (Sec. 3) Authorizes the Attorney General, at the request of a state, local, or tribal law enforcement agency, to provide technical, forensic, prosecutorial, or other assistance in the criminal investigation or prosecution of a violent crime, a hate crime, or a crime that constitutes a felony under state, local, or tribal law. Directs the Attorney General, in providing such assistance, to give priority to cases involving crimes committed in more than one state and to rural jurisdictions that have difficulty covering extraordinary investigation or prosecution expenses.Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies for extraordinary expenses associated with the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes. Requires the Office of Justice Programs of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to work with grantees to address the needs and concerns of all affected parties in implementing grants. Sets forth requirements governing the submission and approval of grant applications. Limits the amount of any grant to $100,000 for any single jurisdiction in any one-year period. Requires the Attorney General to: (1) approve or deny a grant application within 180 days after receipt of such application; and (2) report to Congress by December 31, 2011, on the grant program. Authorizes appropriations for FY2010-FY2011.(Sec. 4) Authorizes the Office of Justice Programs to award grants to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 5) Authorizes appropriations for FY2010-FY2012 to increase DOJ personnel to assist state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies in combating hate crimes. (Sec. 6) Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit willfully causing bodily injury to any person through the use of fire, a firearm, a dangerous weapon, or an explosive or incendiary device because of the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of any person. Imposes a fine and/or prison term of up to 10 years for violations and a life term if a death results from a violation or certain other violent crimes are involved. Requires the Attorney General or other designated DOJ official to certify certain findings before initiating a prosecution for a hate crime. Sets a seven-year statute of limitations on prosecuting such an offense not resulting in death. Prohibits the admission of evidence as substantive evidence in a hate crime prosecution of the expression or associations of a defendant unless the evidence specifically relates to the hate crime offense. (Sec. 7) Provides that any provision of this Act that is held to be unconstitutional shall be severable from the remaining provisions of this Act. (Sec. 8) Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit the exercise of constitutionally-protected free speech.

S.Res.342 added 11/19

Title: A resolution recognizing National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month and celebrating the heritage and culture of American Indians and Alaska Natives and the contributions of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the United States.

Sponsor: Sen Dorgan, Byron L. [ND]

Committees: (none)

Latest Major Action: 11/5/2009 Passed/agreed to in Senate. Status: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

Summary: (none)

Related News Stories: Dorgan introduces and Senate passes resolution to recognize National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. (Senate Committee on Indian Affairs) 11/06/09

S.432

Title: A bill to amend the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental and Native American Public Policy Act of 1992 to honor the legacy of Stewart L. Udall, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Sen Bingaman, Jeff [NM]

Related Bills: H.R.1035 S.1818

Committees: (none)

Latest Major Action: 10/21/2009 Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

Summary: Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Amendments Act of 2009 - Amends the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental and Native American Public Policy Act of 1992 to rename: (1) the Act, the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation Act; (2) the Morris K Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Trust Fund, the Morris K Udall and Stewart L. Udall Trust Fund; (3) the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation, the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation; and (4) Morris K. Udall Scholars, Udall Scholars. Requires the Executive Director of the Foundation to be paid at a senior executive rate. Directs the Foundation to award grants to the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy, at the University of Arizona, to conduct training, research, and other activities with regard to the involvement of Native American and Alaska Native professionals in health care and public policy. Allows the use of reasonable amounts of the Trust Fund for official reception and representation expenses, not to exceed $5,000 for a fiscal year. Sets forth administrative provisions that allow the Foundation to: (1) appoint personnel without regard to federal law provisions governing appointments in the competitive service; (2) pay up to four employees, in addition to the Executive Director, at senior executive pay rates; and (3) rent office space in the District of Columbia or its environs. Authorizes such sums as may be necessary to: (1) the Trust Fund; and (2) the Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund, for the operating costs of the United States Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution.

S.1703

Title: A bill to amend the Act of June 18, 1934, to reaffirm the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to take land into trust for Indian tribes.

Sponsor: Sen Dorgan, Byron L. [ND]

Related Bill: H.R. 3696

Committees: Senate Indian Affairs

Latest Major Action: 2/12/2009 Referred to Senate committee, on Environment and Public Works.

Summary: not yet available

Related News Stories: U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan introduces Indian land bill (Oklahoman) 9/29/09. Dorgan bill responds to carceiri ruling, affrims Secretrary's authority to take Indain land into trust. (Senate Committee on Indian Affairs) 9/29/09. Bill could help tribe secure land for casino (Cape Cod Times) 9/25/09.

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Senate Committee on Indian Affairs - Information on hearings, current bills sent to the Committee and other information.

THOMAS - U.S. Congress on the Internet - (Library of Congress). Search and view current and historical bill information. See article:Searching Bills with THOMAS - Pages 14-17; provides step-by-step instructions with screen shots of the THOMAS web site.

Bills Concerning Indian Affairs - (theorator.com).

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