Summary:
Albuquerque Indian School Land Transfer Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to take into trust 4 tracts of federal land in New Mexico, the combined acreage of which is approximately 11.11 acres, that were historically part of the Albuquerque Indian School for the benefit of 19 specified pueblos immediately after the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) have been satisfied regarding the trust acquisition of such federal land.

 Requires the federal lands taken into trust to be used for the educational, health, cultural, business, and economic development of the 19 pueblos.

Requires the federal lands taken into trust to remain subject to any private or municipal encumbrance, right-of-way, restriction, easement of record, or utility service agreement in effect on this Act's enactment date.

Requires the 19 pueblos to allow the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to continue to use the federal lands taken into trust for the facilities and purposes as in existence on this Act's enactment date.

Prohibits gaming from being carried out on the federal lands taken into trust under this Act.

secretary interior trust tracts federal land new_mexico combined acreage approximately acres historically benefit specified pueblos immediately requirements national_environmental_policy_act nepa satisfied trust acquisition federal land requires federal lands taken trust educational health cultural business economic development pueblos requires federal lands taken trust remain subject private municipal encumbrance right way restriction easement record utility service agreement effect act enactment date requires pueblos allow bureau_of_indian_affairs bia continue use federal lands taken trust facilities purposes existence act enactment date prohibits gaming carried federal lands taken trust act


Summary:
Nevada Native Nations Land Act -Title I: Elko Motocross Land Conveyance - (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey to Elko County, Nevada, without consideration, approximately 275 acres of land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Elko District, Nevada. Requires the land conveyed to be used only: (1) as a motocross, bicycle, off-highway vehicle, or stock car racing area; or (2) for any other public purpose consistent with the Recreation and Public Purposes Act.

Title II: Conveyance of Land to Indian Tribes - (Sec. 201) Holds in trust the following lands:

 for the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone Indians of Nevada (the Elko Band), approximately 373 acres of BLM land; for the Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribe of the Fort McDermitt Indian Reservation, approximately 19,094 acres of BLM land; for the Shoshone Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation, approximately 82 acres of Forest Service land; for the Summit Lake Paiute Tribe, approximately 941 acres of BLM land; for the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, approximately 13,434 acres of BLM land; and for the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, approximately 11,719 acres of BLM land. Makes the lands held for the Tribes part of their respective Reservations.

(Sec. 202) Requires the Secretary of the Interior to complete a survey to establish boundary lines of the land taken into trust for each Indian tribe.

Restricts gaming on lands held in trust under this Act.

Permits the Secretary, in consultation with the applicable Indian tribe, to carry out any fuel reduction and other landscape restoration activities (including restoration of the sage grouse habitat) on the land that is beneficial to the tribe and BLM.

elko motocross land conveyance sec directs secretary interior convey elko_county nevada consideration approximately acres land managed bureau_of_land_management blm elko_district nevada requires land conveyed motocross bicycle highway vehicle stock car racing area public purpose consistent recreation_and_public_purposes_act title conveyance land indian tribes sec holds trust following lands moak tribe western shoshone indians nevada elko band approximately acres blm land fort indian reservation approximately acres blm land approximately acres forest_service land approximately acres blm land reno sparks indian colony approximately acres blm land pyramid lake paiute tribe approximately acres blm land makes lands held tribes respective reservations sec requires secretary interior complete survey establish boundary lines land taken trust indian tribe restricts gaming lands held trust act permits secretary consultation applicable indian tribe carry fuel reduction landscape restoration activities including restoration sage grouse habitat land beneficial tribe blm


Summary:
Bill Williams River Water Rights Settlement Act of 2014 - Authorizes, ratifies, and confirms the Big Sandy River-Planet Ranch Water Rights Settlement Agreement between the Hualapai Tribe, the Department of of the Interior, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, the Arizona Department of Water Resources, and the Freeport Minerals Corporation.

 Authorizes, ratifies, and confirms the Hualapai Tribe Bill Williams River Water Rights Settlement Agreement between the Tribe, the United States as trustee for the Tribe, and Freeport Minerals Corporation.

Directs the Secretary of Interior to execute both agreements.

 Sets forth provisions regarding the waiver, release, and retention of specified water rights claims.

river water rights settlement act authorizes ratifies confirms big sandy river ranch water rights settlement agreement arizona_game authorizes ratifies confirms tribe river water rights settlement agreement tribe united_states trustee tribe directs secretary interior execute agreements sets forth provisions waiver release retention specified water rights claims


Summary: Adoption Tax Credit Tribal Parity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow Indian tribes to make the determination that a child is a child with special needs for purposes of the adoption tax credit.

parity act amends internal revenue code allow indian tribes determination child child special needs purposes adoption tax credit


Summary: Alaska Native Conservation Parity Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow Alaska Native Corporations an increased tax deduction for donations of conservation easements related to lands conveyed under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. Permits a 15-year carryover of contribution amounts that exceed annual limitations on the amount of such tax deduction.

amends internal revenue code allow alaska_native_corporations increased tax deduction donations conservation easements related lands conveyed alaska_native_claims_settlement_act permits year carryover contribution amounts exceed annual limitations tax deduction


Summary:
Self Determination Contract Reporting Commitment to Tribes Act - Amends the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to presume absent fraud or mathematical error that the deficiency amounts reported to Congress for contract support costs accurately reflect the minimum damages due to any Indian tribe or tribal organization filing a claim, appeal, or civil action under the Act.

Requires each annual report and accompanying data prepared under the Act to be made available to the public.

self determination contract reporting commitment tribes act amends indian self determination education assistance act presume absent fraud mathematical error deficiency amounts reported congress contract support costs accurately reflect minimum damages indian tribe tribal organization filing claim appeal civil action act requires annual report accompanying data prepared act available public


Summary: Self Determination Commitment to Tribes Act - Changes from discretionary to mandatory the funding for payments to Indian tribes and tribal organizations for contract support costs arising out of self-determination or self-governance contracts, grants, compacts, or annual funding agreements entered into pursuant to the Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.

self determination commitment tribes act changes discretionary mandatory funding payments indian tribes tribal organizations contract support costs arising self determination self governance contracts grants compacts annual funding agreements entered pursuant


Summary:
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to convey specified property (22.98 acres) to the Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation located in Bethel, Alaska, for use in connection with health and social services programs.

Shields the Corporation from liability for any environmental contamination on the conveyed property. Requires the Secretary to: (1) be accorded access to the conveyed property as may be reasonably necessary to satisfy any retained obligations and liability; and (2) comply with requirements of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 regarding the transfer of U.S. real property on which any hazardous substance was stored for one year or more, disposed of, or known to have been released.

directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs convey specified property acres located alaska use connection health social services programs shields corporation liability environmental contamination conveyed property requires secretary accorded access conveyed property reasonably necessary satisfy retained obligations liability comply requirements transfer real property hazardous substance stored year disposed known released


Summary: Amends the Public Health Service Act to make permanent the special diabetes programs for Indians, which provide services for prevention and treatment of diabetes through the Indian Health Service and Indian health programs.

amends public_health_service_act permanent special diabetes programs indians provide services prevention treatment diabetes indian_health_service indian health programs


Summary:
Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas Equal and Fair Opportunity Settlement Act - Amends the Alabama-Coushatta Tribes of Texas Restoration Act to repeal a provision prohibiting the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas from conducting gaming activities on its lands if those gaming activities are prohibited by Texas.

Requires the United States and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe to execute and file in each applicable court a motion for dismissal of any pending claim arising out of or relating to the aboriginal land of the Tribe or an interest in that land.

Deems any claim by or on behalf of the Tribe against the United States or the state of Texas for the loss of aboriginal title to be extinguished.

fair opportunity settlement act amends alabama coushatta tribes texas restoration act repeal provision prohibiting texas conducting gaming activities lands gaming activities prohibited texas requires united_states execute file applicable court motion dismissal pending claim arising relating aboriginal land tribe interest land deems claim behalf tribe united_states state texas loss aboriginal title extinguished


Summary:
Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to carry out a rental assistance and supportive housing program, in conjunction with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), for the benefit of Indian veterans who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness and who are residing on or near Indian areas.

Requires rental assistance under such program to be: (1) made available to recipients eligible for housing assistance block grants under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996; and (2) awarded based on need, administrative capacity, and any other funding criteria established by the HUD Secretary in a notice published in the Federal Register after consulting with the VA Secretary.

amends united_states housing act authorize secretary housing_and_urban_development hud carry rental assistance supportive housing program conjunction secretary veterans_affairs benefit indian veterans homeless risk homelessness residing near indian areas requires rental assistance program available recipients eligible housing assistance block grants native_american_housing_assistance self determination act awarded based need administrative capacity funding criteria established hud secretary notice published federal_register consulting secretary


Summary:
Northern Cheyenne Lands Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to take approximately 1,567 acres of land in Montana depicted on the map entitled "Northern Cheyenne Lands Act - Fee-to-Trust Lands" and dated March 26, 2014, into trust for the Northern Cheyenne Tribe.

Requires: (1) Great Northern Properties to convey to the Tribe its coal and iron ore mineral interests underlying the land on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation generally depicted on the map entitled "Northern Cheyenne Land Act - Coal Tracts" and dated February 27, 2014, and (2) the Secretary to convey to Great Northern Properties all of U.S. coal mineral interests underlying the land generally depicted as "Bull Mountains" and "East Fork" on the map entitled "Northern Cheyenne Federal Tracts" and dated February 27, 2014.

Conditions those conveyances on the Secretary receiving a notice from the Tribe that: (1) it has a revenue sharing agreement with Great Northern Properties regarding future development of the Northern Cheyenne Federal Tracts, and (2) Great Northern Properties has agreed to convey those coal and iron ore mineral interests to the Tribe.

Directs the Secretary to ensure that the deed for those federal coal mineral interests includes a covenant, running with the land, that precludes surface mining of the coal: (1) absent the written consent of the surface owner, and (2) except as determined to be acceptable for further consideration for leasing in a specified Bureau of Land Management (BLM) document.

Requires the coal and iron ore mineral interests conveyed to the Tribe under this Act to be held, upon the Tribe's request, in trust for the Tribe.

Prohibits Montana from taxing the mineral interests this Act conveys to the Tribe.

Requires that, in return for this Act's mineral conveyances:

 the Tribe must waive all of its claims relating to the failure of the United States to acquire those private coal and iron ore mineral interests in trust for the Tribe as part of its Reservation as directed by Congress in 1900, and Great Northern Properties must waive any claim against the United States relating to the value of the coal mineral interests it receives under this Act. Requires the Northern Cheyenne Trust Fund (Fund) to be transferred to the Tribe and deposited into the Tribe's Permanent Fund. Requires the Tribe, in return for such transfer, to waive all of its claims arising from U.S. management of the Fund.

northern cheyenne lands act directs secretary interior approximately acres land montana depicted map entitled northern cheyenne lands act fee trust lands dated march trust requires great northern properties convey tribe coal iron ore mineral interests underlying land generally depicted map entitled northern cheyenne land act coal tracts dated february secretary convey great_northern_properties coal mineral interests underlying land generally depicted mountains east fork map entitled northern cheyenne federal tracts dated february conditions conveyances secretary receiving notice tribe revenue sharing agreement great_northern_properties future development great northern properties agreed convey coal iron ore mineral interests tribe directs secretary ensure deed federal coal mineral interests includes covenant running land precludes surface mining coal absent written consent surface owner determined acceptable consideration leasing specified bureau_of_land_management blm document requires coal iron ore mineral interests conveyed tribe act held tribe request trust tribe prohibits montana taxing mineral interests act conveys tribe requires return act mineral conveyances tribe waive claims relating failure united_states acquire private coal iron ore mineral interests trust tribe reservation directed congress great_northern_properties waive claim united_states relating value coal mineral interests receives act requires transferred tribe deposited requires tribe return transfer waive claims arising management fund


Summary:
Amends the Claims Resolution Act of 2010 to authorize the Secretary of the Interior (the Secretary) to enter into contracts under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act with eligible Indian tribes to carry out activities related to them under the Land Consolidation Program.

Requires the Secretary to invest the amounts remaining in the Trust Land Consolidation Fund into public debt securities with maturities suitable to the needs of such Fund. Requires invested funds and the interest to be used for the purposes for which the Trust Land Consolidation Fund was established.

Makes the Secretary responsible for ensuring that all payments are made to beneficiaries within one year.

amends claims resolution act authorize secretary interior secretary enter contracts indian_self-determination_and_education assistance act eligible indian tribes carry activities related requires secretary invest amounts remaining public debt securities maturities suitable needs fund requires invested funds interest purposes established makes secretary responsible ensuring payments beneficiaries year


Summary:
Northern Cheyenne Lands Act - (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary of the Interior to take approximately 932 acres of land in Montana into trust for the Northern Cheyenne Tribe.

(Sec. 5) Requires Great Northern Properties to convey to the Tribe its coal and iron ore mineral interests underlying the land on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in exchange for U.S. coal mineral interests underlying the land referred to as Bull Mountains and East Fork. Sets forth conditions on the conveyance to Great Northern Properties.

Directs the Secretary to ensure that the deed for those federal coal mineral interests includes a covenant that precludes surface mining of the coal unless certain conditions are met.

Prohibits Montana from taxing the mineral interests this Act conveys to the Tribe.

Sets forth conditions regarding waiver of claims by the Tribe and Great Northern Properties.

(Sec. 6) Requires the Northern Cheyenne Trust Fund to be transferred to the Tribe in exchange for the Tribe waiving all of its claims arising from U.S. management of the Fund.

(Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary to prepare an inventory of fractionated land interests held by the United States in trust for the benefit of the Tribe or individual Indians on the Tribe's Reservation.

northern cheyenne lands act sec directs secretary interior approximately acres land montana trust sec requires great northern properties convey tribe coal iron ore mineral interests underlying land exchange coal mineral interests underlying land referred east_fork sets forth conditions conveyance great_northern_properties directs secretary ensure deed federal coal mineral interests includes covenant precludes surface mining coal certain conditions met prohibits montana taxing mineral interests act conveys tribe sets forth conditions waiver claims tribe great northern properties sec requires transferred tribe exchange tribe waiving claims arising management fund sec directs secretary prepare inventory land interests held united_states trust benefit tribe individual indians


Summary: American Indian Teacher Loan Forgiveness Act of 2014 - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide up to $17,500 of loan forgiveness to borrowers under the Federal Family Education Loan program or the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program who: (1) are a member of an Indian tribe, and (2) have been employed as a full-time teacher for five consecutive complete school years in an Indian school or in a local educational agency that serves at least 10 Indian students or whose schools have an enrollment of students at least 25% of which are Indians.

american indian teacher loan forgiveness act amends title student assistance higher education act provide loan forgiveness borrowers federal_family_education_loan program federal_direct_loan program member indian tribe employed time teacher consecutive complete school years indian school local educational agency serves indian students schools enrollment students indians


Summary:
Government By the People Act of 2015

Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to allow a refundable credit of 50% of qualified congressional House campaign contributions paid or incurred during the taxable year (contributions of cash by an individual to a House candidate or a political committee established and maintained by a national political party if the contribution is not prohibited under the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 [FECA], to be known as "My Voice Federal" contributions).

Directs the Government by the People Oversight Commission, established by this Act, to launch a pilot program under which it shall select three eligible states to operate a voucher pilot program.

Requires a state under a voucher pilot program to provide each qualified individual during the election cycle, upon his or her request, with a "My Voice Voucher" worth $50, which will be assigned a routing number. Authorizes the individual to submit the My Voice Voucher to qualified federal election candidates, allocating a portion of its value in $5 increments. Requires the Commission to pay any candidate who transmits a My Voice Voucher that portion of its value which the individual allocated to the candidate. Considers this transaction a contribution by the individual to the candidate for purposes of FECA.

Requires a state operating a voucher pilot program also to permit an individual to revoke a My Voice Voucher within two days after submitting it to a candidate. Requires such a state to establish a commission or designate an existing entity to oversee and implement the program in the state, except that no such commission or entity may be composed of elected officials.

Amends FECA with respect to:

 benefits for participating House of Representatives candidates; Federal Election Commission (FEC) payments to such candidates; candidate use of payments; qualified small dollar contributions, expenditures, and fundraising requirements; certification of participating candidates; campaign administration; prevention of the unnecessary spending of public funds; establishment of the Freedom From Influence Fund in the Treasury and of a Government by the People Oversight Commission in the FEC; remittal of unspent funds to the Freedom From Influence Fund after an election; eligibility of participating candidates for additional payments; civil penalties for violation of contribution and expenditure requirements; a Commission action appeals process; and contributions and expenditures by multicandidate and political party political committees on behalf of participating candidates. Prohibits a certified participating candidate's authorized committee from establishing a joint fundraising committee with any political committee other than another authorized committee of the candidate.

Prohibits a certified participating candidate from establishing, financing, maintaining, or controlling a leadership PAC (political action committee).

Prohibits use of contributions by a participating candidate for any purposes other than an election campaign.

Revises bundler disclosure requirements to repeal a specified exception and so require disclosure of persons who provided bundled contributions to the reporting committee.

Amends FECA to empower the FEC to petition the U.S. Supreme Court for a writ of certiorari to appeal a civil action to enforce the Act.

Requires all political committee designations, statements, and reports required to be filed under FECA to be filed: (1) directly with the FEC; and (2) in electronic form accessible by computers. Reduces to 24 hours after their receipt the deadline for the FEC to make designations, statements, reports, or notifications available to the public in the FEC office and on the Internet.

Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to set a station's lowest unit price for preemptible use as the charge for a broadcast by the national committee of a political party for an affiliated candidate.

Authorizes the FEC to revoke a broadcast station license or construction permit only for at least three willful failures to allow reasonable access to, or to permit purchase of reasonable amounts of time for the use of, a broadcasting station or cable system by a legally qualified candidate for federal office.

Amends the IRC to allow taxpayers to designate overpayments of tax for contribution to the Freedom From Influence Fund.

government people act amends internal revenue code irc allow refundable credit qualified congressional house campaign contributions paid incurred taxable year contributions cash individual house candidate political committee established maintained national political party contribution prohibited federal election campaign act feca known voice federal contributions directs government established act launch pilot program shall select eligible states operate voucher pilot program requires state voucher pilot program provide qualified individual election cycle request voice voucher worth assigned routing number authorizes individual submit qualified federal election candidates allocating portion value increments requires commission pay candidate transmits voice voucher portion value individual allocated candidate considers transaction contribution individual candidate purposes feca requires state operating voucher pilot program permit individual revoke voice voucher days submitting candidate requires state establish commission designate existing entity oversee implement program state commission entity composed elected officials amends feca respect benefits participating house_of_representatives candidates federal_election_commission fec payments candidates candidate use payments qualified small dollar contributions expenditures fundraising requirements certification participating candidates campaign administration prevention unnecessary spending public funds establishment freedom influence fund treasury government fec unspent funds freedom influence fund election eligibility participating candidates additional payments civil penalties violation contribution expenditure requirements commission action appeals process contributions expenditures multicandidate political party political committees behalf participating candidates prohibits certified participating candidate authorized committee establishing joint fundraising committee political committee authorized committee candidate prohibits certified participating candidate establishing financing maintaining controlling leadership pac political action committee prohibits use contributions participating candidate purposes election campaign revises disclosure requirements repeal specified exception require disclosure persons provided bundled contributions reporting committee amends feca empower fec petition writ certiorari appeal civil action enforce act requires political committee designations statements reports required filed feca filed directly fec electronic form accessible computers reduces hours receipt deadline fec designations statements reports notifications available public fec office internet amends communications act set station lowest unit price preemptible use charge broadcast national committee political party affiliated candidate authorizes fec revoke broadcast station license construction permit willful failures allow reasonable access permit purchase reasonable amounts time use broadcasting station cable system legally qualified candidate federal office amends irc allow taxpayers designate overpayments tax contribution freedom influence fund


Summary:
Lumbee Recognition Act

 Extends federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, which makes its members eligible for the services and benefits provided to Indians because of their status as members of a federally recognized tribe.

Deems members of the Tribe residing in Robeson, Cumberland, Hoke, and Scotland Counties in North Carolina to be within the delivery area for such services.

Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to take land into trust for the Tribe.

Prohibits the Tribe from conducting gaming activities.

Requires North Carolina to exercise jurisdiction over all criminal offenses committed, and all civil actions that arise, on North Carolina lands owned by, or held in trust for, the Lumbee Tribe or any dependent Indian community of the Tribe.

lumbee recognition act extends federal recognition lumbee tribe north carolina makes members eligible services benefits provided indians status members federally recognized tribe deems members tribe residing robeson cumberland hoke scotland_counties north_carolina delivery area services authorizes secretary interior land trust tribe prohibits tribe conducting gaming activities requires north_carolina exercise jurisdiction criminal offenses committed civil actions arise north_carolina lands owned held trust lumbee tribe dependent indian community tribe


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

amends indian reorganization act applicable federally recognized indian tribes regardless tribe recognized effectively overrules supreme_court decision carcieri salazar held secretary interior land trust specified tribe tribe federal jurisdiction act enacted


Summary:
Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians Restoration Act of 2015

 Extends federal recognition to the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana. Makes the Tribe and each member eligible for all services and benefits provided by the United States to Indians and federally recognized Indian tribes, without regard to the existence of a reservation for the Tribe or the location of the residence of any member on or near an Indian reservation.

Considers the federal service area of the Tribe to be the area comprised of Blaine, Cascade, Glacier, and Hill Counties, Montana.

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

Directs the Secretary to acquire, for the benefit of the Tribe, trust title to 200 acres of land within the Tribe's service area to be used for a tribal land base.

little shell_tribe chippewa indians restoration act extends federal recognition little_shell_tribe chippewa_indians montana makes tribe member eligible services benefits provided united_states indians federally recognized indian tribes regard existence reservation tribe location residence member near indian reservation considers federal service area tribe area comprised glacier montana directs tribe condition receiving recognition services benefits pursuant act submit secretary interior membership roll consisting individual enrolled member tribe requires tribe maintain membership roll directs secretary acquire benefit tribe trust title acres land tribe service area tribal land base


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

Keep the Promise Act of 2015

 Restricts gaming on land within the Phoenix, Arizona, metropolitan area acquired by the Secretary of the Interior in trust for the benefit of an Indian tribe after April 9, 2013. Terminates the restriction on January 1, 2027.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated promise act restricts gaming land phoenix arizona metropolitan area acquired secretary interior trust benefit indian tribe april terminates restriction january


Summary:
American Indian Empowerment Act of 2015

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

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

Gives the laws of a federally recognized Indian tribe that establish a system of land tenure governing the use of the land the tribe holds precedence over any federal law or regulation governing the use of such land, excepting a federal restriction against its alienation and taxation.

american indian empowerment act requires secretary interior transfer land federal government holds trust federally recognized indian tribe tribe restricted fee tribal land subject restriction alienation taxation receiving indian tribe request transfer restricted fee tribal land land tribe holds legal title carries legal restrictions alienation encumbrance allows indian tribes lease grant easement right way restricted fee tribal land period time secretary review approval gives laws federally recognized indian tribe establish system land tenure governing use land tribe holds precedence federal law regulation governing use land excepting federal restriction alienation taxation


Summary:
Indian Employment, Training and Related Services Consolidation Act of 2016

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

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

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

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

(Sec. 14) Funds transferred to a tribe must be treated as non-federal funds for purposes of meeting matching requirements, except funds administered by the Department of Labor or the Department of Health and Human Services. Civil liability limitations apply to approved integration plans.

indian_employment training related services consolidation act sec bill amends indian_employment training related services demonstration act rename act indian_employment training related services act revise program provides integration employment training related services programs indian tribes sec bill revises types programs integrated sec bill revises process federal agencies grant deny tribe request waive statutory regulatory administrative requirements efficiently implement integration plan department_of_the_interior approve disapprove integration plan tribe granted certain hearing appeal rights interior disapproves plan sec tribal authority use funds place participants training positions employers revised sec bureau_of_indian_affairs receive distribute funds use accordance approved integration plan sec funds transferred tribe treated non federal funds purposes meeting matching requirements funds administered department_of_labor department_of_health_and_human_services civil liability limitations apply approved integration plans


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow Alaska Native Corporations an increased tax deduction for donations of conservation easements related to lands conveyed under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. Permits a 15-year carryover of contribution amounts that exceed annual limitations on the amount of such tax deduction.

amends internal revenue code allow alaska_native_corporations increased tax deduction donations conservation easements related lands conveyed alaska_native_claims_settlement_act permits year carryover contribution amounts exceed annual limitations tax deduction


Summary:
Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2015

TITLE I--BLOCK GRANTS AND GRANT REQUIREMENTS

 (Sec. 101) Amends the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA) to require the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to act within 60 days upon a request by an Indian tribe for a waiver of certain local cooperation requirements and an exemption from taxation requirements under the program providing tribes with block grants for affordable and self-determined housing activities.

(Sec. 102) Requires HUD to recommend to Congress standards and procedures for: (1) the waiver of the requirement for an Indian tribe to submit Indian housing plans (IHPs); or (2) alternative IHP requirements, which may include multi-year housing plans. Requires recommendations to describe any legislative and regulatory changes necessary to implement them.

(Sec. 103) Requires HUD to grant a waiver of environmental review requirements if certain conditions are met (currently, the granting of a waiver is discretionary) and to act within 60 days upon a request of an Indian tribe to waive such requirements.

Deems an Indian tribe that is receiving a block grant for an affordable housing project, and is using additional funding from other federal sources that does not exceed 49% of the total project cost, to have satisfied any environmental review requirements attached to those sources if the tribe has assumed environmental review, decision-making, and action responsibilities under NAHASDA and complied with its environmental review requirements.

(Sec. 104) Gives HUD 60 days to approve or deny a request to exceed the maximum total development cost for an affordable housing project.

TITLE II--AFFORDABLE HOUSING ACTIVITIES

(Sec. 201) Makes low-income training and employment requirements under the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 inapplicable to tribal housing activities under the Act.

(Sec. 202) Makes maximum rent and homebuyer payment requirements for housing assisted under NAHASDA inapplicable if the grant recipient has a written policy that includes maximum rent and homebuyer payment requirements.

(Sec. 203) Treats rental housing as affordable housing if it is made available only to a current rental family for purchase as a homebuyer or lease-purchase unit and that family was a low-income family at the time of their original occupancy.

  Makes the requirement that housing assisted under NAHASDA remain affordable throughout the remaining life of the property inapplicable to improvements of a privately-owned home if the cost of those improvements do not exceed 10% of the maximum total development cost for such home.

(Sec. 204) Requires the owner or manager of rental housing assisted under NAHASDA and one or more other federal funding sources to only use leases that require a pre-lease termination notice period.

(Sec. 205) Allows recipients of funding under NAHASDA to use funding from the Indian Health Service (IHS) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the construction of sanitation facilities for housing construction and renovation projects funded under the Act.

TITLE III--ALLOCATION OF GRANT AMOUNTS

(Sec. 301) Reauthorizes appropriations for the NAHASDA block grant program through FY2019.

(Sec. 302) Sets forth notice requirements when an Indian tribe has undisbursed block grants under the Act. Directs HUD to require a justification from any block grant recipient whose total amount of undisbursed block grants in the HUD line of credit control system is more than three times the formula allocation the recipient would otherwise receive, if that formula amount is $5 million or more. Requires HUD to allocate to the recipient, in this case, the initially calculated amount minus the difference between the total undisbursed amount and three times the initial formula amount.

Requires the reallocation of unused grants proportionately to all other Indian tribes not subject to such an adjustment.

TITLE IV--AUDITS AND REPORTS

(Sec. 401) Requires HUD to: (1) issue a final report on an audit or review of Indian tribe housing entities within 60 days of receiving comments from a grant recipient, and (2) make its annual report to Congress on Native American housing assistance publicly available to grant recipients.

TITLE V--OTHER HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR NATIVE AMERICANS

(Sec. 501) Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to require HUD to set aside certain funds to implement a supportive housing and rental assistance voucher program, in conjunction with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), for the benefit of Native American veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Authorizes HUD to waive, or specify alternative requirements, for statutory provision that HUD administers if HUD determines that such waiver is necessary to promote administrative efficiency.

(Sec. 502) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to authorize HUD to guarantee Indian housing loans through FY2019.

TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS

 (Sec. 601) Amends the American Homeownership and Economic Opportunity Act of 2000 to repeal the requirement that sums be appropriated in advance before the Lands Title Report Commission is appointed.

(Sec. 602) Amends the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2008 to prohibit the use of funds under that Act for the benefit of the Cherokee Nation unless the Order issued on September 21, 2011, by the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia remains in effect or there is a settlement agreement which ends litigation among the adverse parties.

(Sec. 603) Amends NAHASDA to extend from 50 years to 99 years the limit on the lease of trust or Indian restricted lands for housing purposes.

TITLE VII--DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM FOR ALTERNATIVE PRIVATIZATION AUTHORITY FOR NATIVE AMERICAN HOUSING

 (Sec. 701) Amends NAHASDA to establish a demonstration program that requires a participating Indian tribe to select an investor partner and, with that partner, to develop and implement a HUD-approved plan to address the tribe's housing needs. Requires each participating tribe to obtain assistance from a qualified entity in assessing its housing needs.

Prohibits HUD from approving more than 20 tribes for participation in the demonstration program.

Makes the block grant amounts that would otherwise have been allocated to a participating tribe under NAHASDA available under the demonstration program to: (1) provide investor partners or other investors with a full return on their investment in the tribe's housing needs, (2) cover a tribe's administrative costs, and (3) cover housing infrastructure costs associated with providing affordable housing for the tribe.

Permits a participating tribe, in accordance with the tribe's final plan, to resell any affordable housing developed with assistance under NAHASDA for use other than as affordable housing, but only if the tribe makes certain assurances with respect to those needs. Allows a participating tribe to terminate its participation in the demonstration program at any time.

Requires HUD to report to Congress on the effectiveness of the demonstration program.

TITLE VIII--HOUSING FOR NATIVE HAWAIIANS

(Sec. 801) Amends the Native Hawaiian Homeownership Act to reauthorize the block grant program for affordable housing for Native Hawaiians through FY2019.

(Sec. 802) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to guarantee Native Hawaiian housing loans through FY2019. Authorizes appropriations to the Hawaiian Housing Loan Guarantee Fund for the costs of such guarantees. Sets the maximum aggregate outstanding principal amount of such loans for each of the fiscal years 2015 through 2019 at $41.504 million.

native_american_housing_assistance self determination reauthorization act title block grants grant requirements sec amends native_american_housing_assistance self determination act nahasda require department_of_housing_and_urban_development hud act days request indian tribe waiver certain local cooperation requirements exemption taxation requirements program providing tribes block grants affordable self determined housing activities sec requires hud recommend congress standards procedures waiver requirement indian tribe submit indian housing plans alternative requirements include multi year housing plans requires recommendations describe legislative regulatory changes necessary implement sec requires hud grant waiver environmental review requirements certain conditions met currently granting waiver discretionary act days request indian tribe waive requirements deems indian tribe receiving block grant affordable housing project additional funding federal sources exceed total project cost satisfied environmental review requirements attached sources tribe assumed environmental review decision making action responsibilities nahasda complied environmental review requirements sec gives hud days approve deny request exceed maximum total development cost affordable housing project title affordable housing activities sec makes low income training employment requirements housing_and_urban_development_act inapplicable tribal housing activities act sec makes maximum rent homebuyer payment requirements housing assisted nahasda inapplicable grant recipient written policy includes maximum rent homebuyer payment requirements sec treats rental housing affordable housing available current rental family purchase homebuyer lease purchase unit family low income family time original occupancy makes requirement housing assisted nahasda remain affordable remaining life property inapplicable improvements privately owned home cost improvements exceed maximum total development cost home sec requires owner manager rental housing assisted nahasda federal funding sources use leases require pre lease termination notice period sec allows recipients funding nahasda use funding indian_health_service ihs department_of_health_and_human_services hhs construction sanitation facilities housing construction renovation projects funded act title iii allocation grant amounts sec reauthorizes appropriations nahasda block grant program fy2019 sec sets forth notice requirements indian tribe undisbursed block grants act directs hud require justification block grant recipient total undisbursed block grants hud line credit control system times formula allocation recipient receive formula million requires hud allocate recipient case initially calculated minus difference total undisbursed times initial formula requires reallocation unused grants proportionately indian tribes subject adjustment title audits reports sec requires hud issue final report audit review indian tribe housing entities days receiving comments grant recipient annual report housing assistance publicly available grant recipients title housing assistance native americans sec amends united_states housing act require hud set aside certain funds implement supportive housing rental assistance voucher program conjunction department_of_veterans_affairs benefit native american veterans homeless risk homelessness authorizes hud waive specify alternative requirements statutory provision hud administers hud determines waiver necessary promote administrative efficiency sec amends housing_and_community_development_act authorize hud guarantee indian housing loans fy2019 title miscellaneous sec amends repeal requirement sums appropriated advance appointed sec amends native_american_housing_assistance self determination reauthorization act prohibit use funds act benefit cherokee nation order issued september district_of_columbia remains effect settlement agreement ends litigation adverse parties sec amends nahasda extend years years limit lease trust indian restricted lands housing purposes title vii demonstration program alternative privatization authority native american housing sec amends nahasda establish demonstration program requires participating indian tribe select investor partner partner develop implement hud approved plan address tribe housing needs requires participating tribe obtain assistance qualified entity assessing housing needs prohibits hud approving tribes participation demonstration program makes block grant amounts allocated participating tribe nahasda available demonstration program provide investor partners investors return investment tribe housing needs cover tribe administrative costs cover housing infrastructure costs associated providing affordable housing tribe permits participating tribe accordance tribe final plan resell affordable housing developed assistance nahasda use affordable housing tribe makes certain assurances respect needs allows participating tribe terminate participation demonstration program time requires hud report congress effectiveness demonstration program title viii housing native hawaiians sec amends native hawaiian homeownership act reauthorize block grant program affordable housing native hawaiians fy2019 sec amends housing_and_community_development_act guarantee native hawaiian housing loans fy2019 authorizes appropriations costs guarantees sets maximum aggregate outstanding principal loans fiscal years million


Summary:
American Indian Teacher Loan Forgiveness Act of 2015

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


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

Economic Development Through Tribal Land Exchange Act

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

The City of Banning is granted a 1.76 acre easement for a public right-of-way in exchange for 1.21 acres of land to be held in trust for the Tribe.

measure amended introduced expanded summary house reported version repeated economic development tribal land exchange act sec bill provides disposition parcels land california department_of_the_interior transfer acres designated morongo lands exchange acres owned fields held trust morongo_band_of_mission_indians granted acre easement public right way exchange acres land held trust tribe


Summary:
Indian Health Service Advance Appropriations Act of 2015

This bill amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to authorize advance appropriations for the Indian Health Services and Indian Health Facilities accounts of the Indian Health Service. The advance appropriations provide new budget authority that first becomes available in the first fiscal year after the budget year. The bill requires the President's budget and the supporting documents submitted to Congress to include detailed estimates related to the advance appropriations.

bill amends indian_health_care_improvement_act authorize advance appropriations accounts indian_health_service advance appropriations provide new budget authority available fiscal year budget year bill requires president budget supporting documents submitted congress include detailed estimates related advance appropriations


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

Ratifies and confirms any action taken by the Secretary pursuant to such Act for any Indian tribe that was federally recognized on the date of that action.

amends indian reorganization act apply act federally recognized indian tribes regardless tribe recognized effectively overrules supreme_court decision carcieri salazar held secretary interior land trust specified tribe tribe federal jurisdiction act enacted ratifies confirms action taken secretary pursuant act indian tribe federally recognized date action


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

(Sec. 1) Allows the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma to lease, sell, convey, warrant, or transfer all or any part of its interests in any real property that is not held in trust by the United States for the tribe.

measure amended introduced expanded summary house reported version repeated sec allows miami tribe oklahoma lease sell convey warrant transfer interests real property held trust united_states tribe


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

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

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

Accords to HHS any easement or access to the conveyed property as may be necessary to satisfy any retained obligations and liability. Requires HHS to comply with Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 requirements in carrying out such conveyance.

sec directs department_of_health_and_human_services hhs convey alaska interest specified property use connection health social services programs declares conveyance shall require consideration impose obligation term condition corporation allow reversionary interest property sec shields corporation liability soil surface water groundwater contamination resulting disposal release presence environmental contamination property conveyed corporation accords hhs easement access conveyed property necessary satisfy retained obligations liability requires hhs comply liability act requirements carrying conveyance


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

Accepts the request of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma to revoke the charter of incorporation issued to that tribe and ratified by its members on June 1, 1940.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated accepts request revoke charter incorporation issued tribe ratified members june


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

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

Requires the USPTO to cancel the registration of a mark containing the term "redskin" or any derivation of that term if: (1) it has been or is used in commerce in connection with references to or images of Native Americans, or (2) the USPTO determines that the term as included in the mark is commonly understood to refer to Native Americans.

amends trademark act conclusively presume mark uses term redskin term consists matter persons intended commerce connection references images native americans uspto determines term included mark commonly understood refer native americans possibility mark persons grounds refusing registration requires uspto cancel registration mark containing term redskin term commerce connection references images native americans uspto determines term included mark commonly understood refer native americans


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on February 24, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Indian Trust Asset Reform Act

TITLE I--RECOGNITION OF TRUST RESPONSIBILITY

 (Sec. 102) This bill reaffirms the federal government's duty to promote tribal self-determination.

TITLE II--INDIAN TRUST ASSET MANAGEMENT DEMONSTRATION PROJECT

Indian Trust Asset Management Demonstration Project Act of 2016

(Sec. 203) The Department of the Interior must establish an Indian trust asset management demonstration project that allows tribes to propose Indian trust asset management plans. To be approved by Interior, these plans must establish objectives and priorities for trust assets and allocate sufficient funding for asset management to meet the objectives and priorities.

(Sec. 205) Interior may approve a trust asset management plan that allows the Indian tribe to enter into, approve, and carry out a surface leasing transaction or forest land management activity without Interior's approval, under certain conditions.

The United States is not liable for losses that result from: (1) a forest land management activity or lease under a trust asset management plan, or (2) management standards under a trust asset management plan that are less-stringent than Interior otherwise requires.

TITLE III--IMPROVING EFFICIENCY AND STREAMLINING PROCESSES

 (Sec. 303) Interior may establish an Under Secretary for Indian Affairs who is to report directly to the Secretary of the Interior and coordinate with the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians (OST) to ensure an orderly transition of the functions of the OST to an agency or bureau within Interior.

(Sec. 304) Interior must prepare a transition plan and timetable for the termination of the OST.

(Sec. 305) Appraisals and valuations of Indian trust property must be administered by a single administrative entity within Interior.

Interior must establish minimum qualifications for individuals to prepare appraisals and valuations of Indian trust property. An appraisal or valuation by a qualified person is considered final without being reviewed or approved by Interior.

(Sec. 306) Representatives of entities that advise Interior on Indian program budget or funding issues may make recommendations regarding the use of savings realized from the transfer of the functions of the OST.

measure amended reported house february summary version repeated indian trust asset reform act title recognition trust responsibility sec bill reaffirms federal government duty promote tribal self determination title indian trust asset management demonstration project project act sec department_of_the_interior establish indian trust asset management demonstration project allows tribes propose indian trust asset management plans approved interior plans establish objectives priorities trust assets allocate sufficient funding asset management meet objectives priorities sec interior approve trust asset management plan allows indian tribe enter approve carry surface leasing transaction forest land management activity interior approval certain conditions united_states liable losses result forest land management activity lease trust asset management plan management standards trust asset management plan stringent interior requires title iii improving efficiency streamlining processes sec interior establish secretary indian_affairs report directly secretary interior coordinate ensure orderly transition functions agency bureau interior sec interior prepare transition plan timetable termination sec appraisals valuations indian trust property administered single administrative entity interior interior establish minimum qualifications individuals prepare appraisals valuations indian trust property appraisal valuation qualified person considered final reviewed approved interior sec representatives entities advise interior indian program budget funding issues recommendations use savings realized transfer functions


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

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

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

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

Prohibits the tribes from conducting gaming activities.

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

Prohibits the use of eminent domain to acquire lands in fee or in trust for an Indian tribe recognized under this Act.

tribes virginia federal recognition act extends federal recognition following indian tribes virginia establishes relationship federal government described chickahominy_tribe chickahominy_indian_tribe--eastern_division upper mattaponi tribe monacan_indian_nation nansemond indian tribe makes tribes members eligible services benefits provided federal government federally recognized indian tribes establishes service area tribe requirements tribe membership roll governing documents governing body requires department interior request tribes specified lands trust benefit tribe considered tribe reservation prohibits tribes conducting gaming activities prohibits act affecting hunting fishing trapping gathering water rights tribes members prohibits use eminent domain acquire lands fee trust indian tribe recognized act


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

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

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

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

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

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

 Authorizes appropriations for such grants through FY2021.

amends native hawaiian education act revise duties composition native_hawaiian_education_council native_hawaiian_education_council coordinates educational related services programs available native hawaiians requires council composed members certain educational governmental trust grant making entities demonstrate years experience consumers providers native hawaiian education cultural activities directs council addition existing duties serve clearinghouse educational related services programs available native_hawaiians provide technical assistance native hawaiian organizations apply receive native_hawaiian_education program grants requires council hold community consultation year islands hawaii maui molokai lanai oahu kauai native hawaiian education program grants education issues eliminates requirement council meet times year island council composed parents students native hawaiian education stakeholders includes charter schools eligible recipients native_hawaiian_education program grants addition native hawaiian education organizations native hawaiian community based organizations public private nonprofit entities gives grant priority programs meet educational priorities established council repair renovate public schools serve high concentrations native hawaiian students meet unique cultural language needs native hawaiian students order help meet challenging state academic achievement standards involve states local educational agencies institutions higher education partnerships consortia requires secretary education use funds available native_hawaiian_education program grants act enactment support development body native hawaiian law repair renovation public schools serve high concentrations native hawaiian students access hawaiian culture history digital archives informal education programs connect traditional hawaiian knowledge science astronomy environment state museums learning centers public charter schools serving high concentrations native hawaiian students authorizes appropriations grants fy2021


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

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

Requires Interior to consider input from owners of private land within or adjacent to such study area.

measure amended introduced expanded summary house reported version repeated amends national_trails_system_act direct department_of_the_interior conduct study feasibility designating national historic trail chief standing bear trail extending approximately miles nebraska oklahoma follows route taken chief standing bear people federal indian removal approximately miles nebraska nebraska follows return route taken chief standing bear people requires interior consider input owners private land adjacent study area


Summary:
Tribal Transportation Self-Governance Act of 2015

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

A funding agreement shall authorize the Indian tribe to plan, conduct, consolidate, administer, and receive full tribal share funding and funding to tribes from DOT-administered discretionary and competitive grants for all programs, services, functions, and activities to carry out tribal transportation programs and DOT-administered programs, services, functions, and activities.

dot shall establish tribal transportation self governance program compact indian tribe subject negotiated annual written funding arrangements tribe funding agreement shall authorize indian tribe plan conduct consolidate administer receive tribal share funding funding tribes dot administered discretionary competitive grants programs services functions activities carry tribal transportation programs dot administered programs services functions activities


Summary:
Building upon Unique Indian Learning and Development Act

Directs the Department of the Interior to establish an in-school facility innovation program contest to encourage institutions of higher education (IHEs) to solve the problem of how to improve Indian school facilities for problem-based learning.

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

Amends part A (Indian Education) of title VII (Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native Education) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to establish a program awarding grants to local educational agencies (LEAs), IHEs, or nonprofit organizations to create or expand teacher and administrator pipelines for teachers and administrators of Native American students.

Amends the school improvement program, under part A of title I of the ESEA, to require states to develop standards-based assessments and classroom lessons that accommodate diverse learning styles.

Directs: (1) ED to expand programs for Native American school children to support learning in the children's Native language and culture and provide English language instruction, and (2) the Comptroller General to conduct research on culture- and language-based education to identify the factors that improve education and health outcomes.

Excepts Native language teachers from the requirement that teachers be highly qualified. Requires states to develop an alternative licensure or certification process for those teachers.

Directs the Administration for Native Americans in the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a program providing grants to public and nonprofit private agencies to assist Native Americans in ensuring the survival and continuing vitality of Native American languages.

Requires ED assistance programs for elementary and secondary schools or early learning programs to reserve at least 0.5% of their funding for Indian elementary and secondary schools or early learning programs.

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

Authorizes and appropriates additional funds for the Impact Aid program, under title VIII of the ESEA, through FY2018. (The Impact Aid program compensates LEAs for the financial burden of federal activities affecting their school districts.)

Authorizes appropriations for FY2016, for use through FY2017, for: (1) the tribally controlled postsecondary career and technical institutions program under the Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities Assistance Act of 1978; (2) the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development; (3) institutional operations grants for the Haskell Indian Nations University and Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute under the Snyder Act; and (4) scholarships and adult education and special higher education scholarships under the Snyder Act.

building unique indian learning development act directs department_of_the_interior establish school facility innovation program contest encourage institutions higher education ihes solve problem improve indian school facilities problem based learning requires interior establish department_of_the_interior_and_department_of_education_joint_oversight_board coordinate indian education policies assistance amends indian education title vii indian native hawaiian alaska_native_education elementary secondary education act esea establish program awarding grants local educational agencies leas ihes nonprofit organizations create expand teacher administrator pipelines teachers administrators native american students amends school improvement program title esea require states develop standards based assessments classroom lessons accommodate diverse learning styles directs expand programs native american school children support learning children native language culture provide english language instruction comptroller general conduct research culture- language based education identify factors improve education health outcomes excepts native language teachers requirement teachers highly qualified requires states develop alternative licensure certification process teachers directs administration native americans department_of_health_and_human_services establish program providing grants public nonprofit private agencies assist native americans ensuring survival continuing vitality native american languages requires assistance programs elementary secondary schools early learning programs reserve funding indian elementary secondary schools early learning programs requires establish program improve school environments student skill development healthy choices native american students establish program school dropout prevention native american students collaborate department_of_agriculture establish tribal school specific school gardens nutrition programs tribal cultural context authorizes appropriates additional funds impact aid program title viii esea fy2018 impact aid program compensates leas financial burden federal activities affecting school districts authorizes appropriations fy2016 use fy2017 tribally controlled postsecondary career technical institutions program tribally_controlled_colleges universities assistance act alaska native culture arts development institutional operations grants snyder act scholarships adult education special higher education scholarships snyder act


Summary:
Hunter and Farmer Protection Act

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

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

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must submit to the Department of the Interior a report on changes to normal agricultural practices across the range of crops grown by agricultural producers in each region of the United States in which USDA harvest practice recommendations are provided to agricultural producers.

hunter farmer protection act bill amends migratory bird treaty act revise standards determining constitutes baiting purposes prohibition taking migratory game birds baited area case waterfowl cranes coots includes standing unharvested crop manipulated activities mowing rolling activities normal agricultural practices area considered baited area treated normal agricultural practice standing crops manipulated standing crops flooded department_of_agriculture usda submit department_of_the_interior report changes normal agricultural practices range crops grown agricultural producers region united_states usda harvest practice recommendations provided agricultural producers


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

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

Makes those tribes eligible for grants from the Secretary for the construction of state homes.

defines state homes include homes established federally recognized indian tribes veterans reason disability incapable earning living requires secretary veterans_affairs pay tribes hospital nursing home domiciliary medical care provide veterans homes makes tribes eligible grants secretary construction state homes


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

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

 No gaming may be conducted on the land.

mission indians land transfer act sec bill directs department_of_the_interior specified lands california trust subject valid existing rights terms certain stipulated judgment relating specified easement tribe transfers title land united_states placing land trust removes certain restrictions property california law transferred land shall gaming conducted land


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

Native American Children's Safety Act

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

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

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

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

Excepts emergency foster care placements from such requirements.

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

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

measure amended introduced expanded summary house reported version repeated safety act amends indian child protection family violence prevention act act prohibit final approval foster care placement foster care license issued tribal social services agency completes criminal records check covered individual resides household employed institution foster care placement concludes individuals meets standards tribe required establish defines covered individual adult individual tribe determines subject criminal records check requires standards include requirements tribal social services agency perform criminal records checks including fingerprint based checks national crime information databases check abuse registries maintained indian tribe check child abuse neglect registry maintained state tribal abuse registries maintained state individual resides request state individual resided preceding years enable agency check registry additional requirements indian tribe determines necessary permissible existing authority creation voluntary agreements state entities order facilitate sharing information related performance criminal records checks prohibits foster care placement ordered investigation reveals covered individual found guilty federal state tribal court felony involving child abuse neglect spousal abuse crime child violence drugs excepts emergency foster care placements requirements requires indian tribe establish procedures recertify homes institutions foster care placements requires procedures include minimum periodic intervals home institution subject recertification ensure safety home institution covered individual resides home employed institution subject criminal records check directs secretary interior issue guidance procedures criminal records check covered individual resides home employed institution child placed investigations preceded placement occurred self reporting requirements foster care homes institutions knowledge covered individual residing premises fail criminal records check promising practices indian tribes address emergency foster care placements procedures certifying compliance act


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

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

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

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

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

sec bill amends approve ratify settlement agreement dated january approved california river california united_states departments interior justice execute agreement amendments approved parties consistent act execution shall constitute major federal action national_environmental_policy_act interior authorized steps necessary implement agreement act tribes continue possess federally reserved rights water rights held trust united_states proceeding involving assertion enforcement defense rights united_states shall required party decision united_states participation proceeding shall subject judicial review rise claim relief united_states congress confirms benefits allottees agreement equitable fully satisfy water rights sec limit set allocated annually


Summary:
New Mexico Navajo Water Settlement Technical Corrections Act

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

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

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

amends omnibus_public_land_management_act expand current authorization construction rehabilitation operation maintenance conjunctive use wells san_juan_river_basin little colorado_river_basin rio_grande_basin new_mexico include planning design wells revises percentages funds authorized navajo-gallup_water_supply_project conjunctive use wells projects available specified purposes increasing portion funds survey recovery protection preservation display archaeological resources area project facility conjunctive use decreasing portion funds purchasing land constructing maintaining facilities mitigate loss improve conditions propagation fish wildlife


Summary:
Cow Creek Umpqua Land Conveyance Act

 Requires all interest of the United States in approximately 17,519 acres of land (Council Creek land) to be held in trust for, and to be part of the reservation of, the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians.

Applies federal law relating to the export of unprocessed logs harvested from federal land to any unprocessed logs that are harvested from such land. Prohibits gaming on such land. Requires any forestry activity on such land to be managed in accordance with applicable federal laws.

Directs the Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior to identify any land conveyed under this Act that is Oregon and California Railroad grant land. Directs Interior to: (1) identify public domain land in Oregon that is approximately equal in acreage and condition to such Oregon and California Railroad grant land, and (2) reclassify the public domain land as Oregon and California Railroad grant land.

land conveyance act requires interest united_states approximately acres land council_creek land held trust reservation cow creek band umpqua_tribe indians applies federal law relating export unprocessed logs harvested federal land unprocessed logs harvested land prohibits gaming land requires forestry activity land managed accordance applicable federal laws directs identify land conveyed act oregon california railroad grant land directs interior identify public domain land oregon approximately equal acreage condition oregon california railroad grant land reclassify public domain land oregon california railroad grant land


Summary:
Oregon Coastal Lands Act

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

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

Directs the Tribes to consult with the Department of the Interior and other parties to develop agreements to provide for access to such land that provide for: (1) honoring existing reciprocal right-of-way agreements, (2) administrative access by the Bureau of Land Management, and (3) management of any such land acquired or developed under the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965.

Directs the Department of Agriculture and Interior to identify any land conveyed under this Act that is Oregon and California Railroad grant land. Directs Interior to: (1) identify public domain land in Oregon that is approximately equal in acreage and condition to such Oregon and California Railroad grant land, and (2) reclassify the public domain land as Oregon and California Railroad grant land.

oregon coastal lands act requires interest united_states approximately acres land land held trust reservation confederated tribes coos lower umpqua siuslaw indians tribes applies federal law relating export unprocessed logs harvested federal land unprocessed logs harvested land prohibits gaming land requires commercial forestry activity land managed accordance applicable federal laws exempts land land use planning requirements federal_land_policy_and_management_act directs tribes consult department_of_the_interior parties develop agreements provide access land provide honoring existing reciprocal right way agreements administrative access bureau_of_land_management management land acquired developed land_and_water_conservation_fund_act directs department_of_agriculture interior identify land conveyed act oregon california railroad grant land directs interior identify public domain land oregon approximately equal acreage condition oregon california railroad grant land reclassify public domain land oregon california railroad grant land


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax credit for producing electricity from an Indian coal production facility, to eliminate: (1) the requirement that such a facility be placed in service before January 1, 2009, and (2) the limitation on the period during which such coal is required to be produced and sold.

amends internal revenue code respect tax credit producing electricity indian coal production facility eliminate requirement facility placed service january limitation period coal required produced sold


Summary:
Tribal Adoption Parity Act

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow Indian tribes to make the determination that a child is a child with special needs for purposes of the adoption tax credit.

parity act amends internal revenue code allow indian tribes determination child child special needs purposes adoption tax credit


Summary:
Samish Indian Nation Land Conveyance Act of 2015

 Directs the Department of the Interior to take into trust for the benefit of the Samish Indian Nation the 17 parcels of approximately 97 acres of specified land owned by the Tribe in Skagit County and San Juan County, Washington.

Prohibits the Tribe from conducting gaming on such land.

directs department_of_the_interior trust benefit samish_indian_nation parcels approximately acres specified land owned tribe san_juan_county washington prohibits tribe conducting gaming land


Summary: This bill amends the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to provide that nothing in such Act prohibits possessing, selling, bartering, purchasing, shipping, and transporting any authentic Alaskan Native article of handicraft or clothing on the basis that it contains a nonedible migratory bird part. The exemption is inapplicable with respect to any handicraft or clothing containing any part of a migratory bird that was taken in a wasteful manner.

bill amends migratory bird treaty act provide act prohibits possessing selling purchasing shipping transporting authentic alaskan native article handicraft clothing basis contains migratory bird exemption inapplicable respect handicraft clothing containing migratory bird taken wasteful manner


Summary:
Amends the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to recognize Alexander Creek, Alaska, as a Native village eligible for land and benefits under the Act.

Requires Alexander Creek to file any amendments to its corporate charter in Alaska that are necessary to convert from a Native group to a Native Village Corporation.

Directs the Secretary of the Interior to open negotiations with Alexander Creek to reach an agreement to settle Alexander Creek's aboriginal land claims and any other claims of such Native Village Corporation against the United States fairly and equitably.

Requires Alexander Creek to notify each member of the Native village that: (1) all of them will cease to receive benefits from Cook Inlet Region Incorporated (CIRI) individually as at-large shareholders, and (2) all future resource payments from the Region will be made to the Village Corporation. Relieves CIRI from liability under any state, federal, or local law for damages related to that payment cessation.

amends alaska native claims settlement act recognize alexander_creek alaska native village eligible land benefits act requires alexander_creek file amendments corporate charter alaska necessary convert native group native village corporation directs secretary interior open negotiations alexander_creek reach agreement settle alexander_creek aboriginal land claims claims united_states fairly equitably requires alexander_creek notify member native village cease receive benefits cook inlet region incorporated individually large shareholders future resource payments region village_corporation relieves liability state federal local law damages related payment cessation


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Albuquerque Indian School Land Transfer Act

 (Sec. 3) Directs the Department of the Interior to take into trust 4 tracts of federal land in New Mexico, the combined acreage of which is approximately 11.11 acres, that were historically part of the Albuquerque Indian School for the benefit of 19 specified pueblos immediately after the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 have been satisfied regarding the trust acquisition of such federal land.

Requires the federal lands taken into trust to: be used for the educational, health, cultural, business, and economic development of the 19 pueblos; and remain subject to any private or municipal encumbrance, right-of-way, restriction, easement of record, or utility service agreement in effect on this Act's enactment date. Requires the 19 pueblos to allow the Bureau of Indian Affairs to continue to use the federal lands taken into trust for the facilities and purposes in existence on this Act's enactment date.

(Sec. 4) Prohibits gaming on the federal lands taken into trust under this Act.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure sec directs department_of_the_interior trust tracts federal land new_mexico combined acreage approximately acres historically benefit specified pueblos immediately requirements national_environmental_policy_act satisfied trust acquisition federal land requires federal lands taken trust educational health cultural business economic development pueblos remain subject private municipal encumbrance right way restriction easement record utility service agreement effect act enactment date requires pueblos allow bureau_of_indian_affairs continue use federal lands taken trust facilities purposes existence act enactment date sec prohibits gaming federal lands taken trust act