Summary:
Unrecognized Southeast Alaska Native Communities Recognition and Compensation Act

Amends the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to permit the Native residents of each of the Native Villages of Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee, and Wrangell, Alaska, to organize as Urban Corporations and to receive certain settlement land pursuant to this Act.

Authorizes those Urban Corporations to establish a settlement trust to promote the health, education, and welfare of the trust beneficiaries, and preserve the Native heritage and culture of their communities.

unrecognized southeast alaska native communities recognition compensation act amends alaska native claims settlement act permit native residents native_villages_of_haines ketchikan petersburg tenakee organize urban_corporations receive certain settlement land pursuant act authorizes urban corporations establish settlement trust promote health education welfare trust beneficiaries preserve native heritage culture communities


Summary: This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the special depreciation rules for property used predominantly within an Indian reservation and to permit a taxpayer to elect not to have such rules apply to any class of property for any taxable year.

bill amends internal_revenue_code permanent special depreciation rules property predominantly indian reservation permit taxpayer elect rules apply class property taxable year


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

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. 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 to continue to use the federal lands taken into trust for the facilities and purposes as in existence on this Act's enactment date.

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

measure amended introduced expanded summary senate reported version repeated 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 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 continue use federal lands taken trust facilities purposes existence act enactment date sec prohibits gaming carried federal lands taken trust act


Summary:
Blackfeet Water Rights Settlement Act of 2015

Authorizes, ratifies, and confirms the Blackfeet-Montana water rights Compact to the extent it does not conflict with this Act.

Requires the Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana and the Fort Belknap Indian Community to enter into an agreement for the exercise of the respective water rights on the respective reservations of the Tribe and the Community in the Milk River.

Requires the Department of the Interior to contract with the Tribe for the delivery of 5,000 acre-feet per year of the St. Mary River water right through Milk River Project facilities to the Tribe or an entity specified by it.

Requires specified appraisal and feasibility studies regarding the management and development of water supplies in the St. Mary River Basin and Milk River Basin. Requires the Bureau of Reclamation to implement the Swift Current Creek Bank Stabilization Project and offer to enter into an agreement with the Tribe to resolve all issues regarding federal Milk River Project property interests located on tribal lands.

Gives the Tribe, subject to specified limitations and only if the St. Mary Storage Unit of the Milk River Project is rehabilitated, the exclusive right to develop and market hydroelectric power from the Unit.

Directs Interior to allocate to the Tribe 50,000 acre-feet per year of water stored in Lake Elwell for use by the Tribe for any beneficial purpose on or off the Reservation. Authorizes the Tribe to enter into leases or other agreements for the use of that water, provided its use occurs within the Missouri River Basin and the agreement does not permanently alienate the allocation.

Requires the Bureau of Reclamation, with respect to the Blackfeet Irrigation Project, to carry out: (1) deferred maintenance; (2) Four Horns Dam safety improvements; and (3) rehabilitation and enhancement of the Four Horns Feeder Canal, Dam, and Reservoir in accordance with the Birch Creek Agreement. Requires the Bureau of Reclamation to construct the water diversion and delivery features of the MR&I System. Requires the Tribe, upon request by Interior, to grant, at no cost to the United States, such easements and rights-of-way over tribal land necessary for the construction of the irrigation activities related to the Blackfeet Irrigation Project and for the design and construction of the MR&I System. Prescribes requirements and funding for the Blackfeet Water, Storage, and Development Project.

Requires the tribal water rights to be held in trust by the United States for the Tribe and its allottees.

Requires the Tribe to enact a tribal water code, subject to Interior approval, in accordance with the Compact and this Act.

Establishes the Blackfeet Settlement Trust Fund.

Confirms the instream flow water rights of the Tribe in the Lewis and Clark National Forest and Glacier National Park.

Requires the Tribe to waive and release water rights claims against Montana and the United States in return for recognition of the tribal water rights and other benefits set forth in the Compact and this Act.

Declares this Act repealed if Interior fails to take certain actions by January 22, 2025.

blackfeet_water_rights_settlement_act authorizes ratifies confirms blackfeet montana water rights compact extent conflict act requires blackfeet tribe montana fort_belknap_indian_community enter agreement exercise respective water rights respective reservations tribe community milk_river requires department interior contract tribe delivery acre feet year mary_river water right milk_river_project facilities tribe entity specified requires specified appraisal feasibility studies management development water supplies requires bureau_of_reclamation implement offer enter agreement tribe resolve issues federal milk_river_project property interests located tribal lands gives tribe subject specified limitations rehabilitated exclusive right develop market hydroelectric power unit directs interior allocate tribe acre feet year water stored lake elwell use tribe beneficial purpose reservation authorizes tribe enter leases agreements use water provided use occurs missouri_river_basin agreement permanently alienate allocation requires bureau_of_reclamation respect blackfeet_irrigation_project carry deferred maintenance dam safety improvements rehabilitation enhancement dam reservoir accordance requires bureau_of_reclamation construct water diversion delivery features requires tribe request interior grant cost united_states easements rights way tribal land necessary construction irrigation activities related blackfeet_irrigation_project design construction system prescribes requirements funding storage requires tribal water rights held trust united_states tribe allottees requires tribe enact tribal water code subject interior approval accordance compact act confirms instream flow water rights tribe lewis clark_national_forest requires tribe waive release water rights claims montana united_states return recognition tribal water rights benefits set forth compact act declares act repealed interior fails certain actions january


Summary:
Native American Languages Reauthorization Act of 2015

 Amends the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to reauthorize through FY2020 and revise a grant program administered by the Administration for Native Americans at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure the survival and continuing vitality of Native American languages.

Decreases the required minimum number of enrollees in educational programs funded by the grant program from:

 10 to 5 enrollees in Native American language nests, and 15 to 10 enrollees in the Native American language survival schools. Changes the duration of grants provided under the program.

amends native american programs act reauthorize fy2020 revise grant program administered department_of_health_and_human_services hhs ensure survival continuing vitality native american languages decreases required minimum number enrollees educational programs funded grant program enrollees native american language enrollees native american language survival schools changes duration grants provided program


Summary:
Alaska Native Energy Assistance Program Act

This bill authorizes a Regional Corporation or Village Corporation in Alaska to establish an energy assistance program that provides to shareholders financial assistance for the payment of residential electric bills, the cost of home weatherization or energy efficiency improvements, or the purchase of transportation fuels.

Any assistance provided to shareholders under such an energy assistance program shall not be subject to federal taxation.

bill authorizes alaska establish energy assistance program provides shareholders financial assistance payment residential electric bills cost home weatherization energy efficiency improvements purchase transportation fuels assistance provided shareholders energy assistance program shall subject federal taxation


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:
Native Language Immersion Student Achievement Act

 (Sec. 3) This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to Indian tribes, tribal colleges or universities, tribal education agencies, local education agencies, specified schools, regional corporations, private or tribal nonprofit organizations, and consortia of any such entities to develop and maintain, or improve and expand, programs that support the use by schools, from prekindergarten through postsecondary education, of Native American languages as their primary language of instruction.

Grant applicants must present ED with specified assurances and demonstrations that the schools they will support have an endorsement to provide education primarily through a Native American language.

Grantees must:

 support Native American language education and development; develop or refine instructional curricula for the schools they support, including distinctive teaching materials and activities; fund training opportunities for school staff that strengthen the overall language and academic goals of their schools; develop a Native Language alignment plan to create or refine assessments of student proficiency; and engage in other activities that promote Native American language education and development.

sec bill amends elementary secondary education act authorize award grants indian tribes tribal colleges universities tribal education agencies local education agencies specified schools regional corporations private tribal nonprofit organizations consortia entities develop maintain improve expand programs support use schools prekindergarten postsecondary education native american languages primary language instruction grant applicants present specified assurances demonstrations schools support endorsement provide education primarily native american language grantees support native american language education development develop refine instructional curricula schools support including distinctive teaching materials activities fund training opportunities school staff strengthen overall language academic goals schools develop alignment plan create refine assessments student proficiency engage activities promote native american language education development


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on February 29, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Nevada Native Nations Land Act

(Sec. 3) This bill requires the United States to hold in trust the following lands for the benefit of:

 the Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribe of the Fort McDermitt Indian Reservation, 19,094 acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land; the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation, 82 acres of Forest Service land; the Summit Lake Paiute Tribe, 941 acres of BLM land; the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, 13,434 acres of BLM land; the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, 6,357 acres of BLM land; and the Duckwater Shoshone Tribe 31,269 acres of BLM land. The lands held for these tribes shall be part of their respective reservations.

(Sec. 4) Gaming is prohibited on these lands.

measure amended reported senate february summary version repeated nevada native nations land act sec bill requires united_states hold trust following lands benefit fort indian reservation acres bureau_of_land_management blm land shoshone-paiute_tribes acres forest_service land acres blm land reno sparks indian colony acres blm land pyramid lake paiute tribe acres blm land shoshone tribe acres blm land lands held tribes shall respective reservations sec gaming prohibited lands


Summary:
Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas Equal and Fair Opportunity Settlement Act

 This bill amends the Alabama-Coushatta Tribes of Texas Restoration Act to repeal the prohibition against gaming activities by the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas on its lands if those gaming activities are prohibited by Texas law.

The United States and the Tribe must execute and file in each applicable court a motion for dismissal of any pending claim arising out of or relating to any interest in the aboriginal lands of the Tribe.

Any claim by or on behalf of the Tribe, or any predecessor in interest or any of its members, against the United States, Texas, or any landowner, that is based on any interest in or right involving any land or natural resources regarding the aboriginal lands, is hereby extinguished.

fair opportunity settlement act bill amends tribes texas restoration act repeal prohibition gaming activities lands gaming activities prohibited texas law united_states tribe execute file applicable court motion dismissal pending claim arising relating interest aboriginal lands tribe claim behalf tribe predecessor interest members united_states texas landowner based interest right involving land natural resources aboriginal lands extinguished


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on April 25, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act or the NATIVE Act

(Sec. 4) This bill requires the Department of Commerce, the Department of the Interior, and federal agencies with recreational travel or tourism functions to update their management plans and tourism initiatives to include Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations.

The plans must outline proposals to:

 improve travel and tourism data collection and analysis, increase the usability of public information and federal websites, support national tourism goals, identify programs that could support tourism infrastructure in Native American communities, develop visitor portals and assets that showcase and respect the diversity of Native Americans, share local Native American heritage through the development of bilingual signage, and improve access to transportation programs for building capacity for Native American community tourism and trade. Interior and Commerce must: (1) work with a facilitator to provide technical assistance to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations regarding participation in the tourism industry, and (2) report on departmental efforts supporting such participation.

(Sec. 5) Federal agencies must: (1) support Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations in showcasing their history, culture, and continuing vitality, enhancing or maintaining their distinctive cultural features, and providing authentic and respectful visitor experiences; (2) assist in interpreting the connections between Native Americans and the national identity of the United States; (3) enhance efforts to promote understanding and respect for diverse cultures in the United States and the relevance of those cultures; and (4) ensure that travelers at airports and ports of entry are welcomed in a manner that both showcases and respects the diversity of Native American communities.

Grants relating to travel, recreation, or tourism for which Indian tribes, tribal organizations, or Native Hawaiian organizations are eligible may be used to: (1) support their efforts to present their story and culture, (2) revitalize Native American communities using the arts and humanities, and (3) carry out this Act.

The Smithsonian Institution must work with Indian tribes, tribal organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations, and nonprofits to share collections and conduct joint research and projects with museums, educational organizations, and cultural organizations.

measure amended passed senate april summary version repeated native american tourism improving visitor experience act native act sec bill requires department_of_commerce department_of_the_interior federal agencies recreational travel tourism functions update management plans tourism initiatives include indian tribes tribal organizations native hawaiian organizations plans outline proposals improve travel tourism data collection analysis increase public information federal websites support national tourism goals identify programs support tourism infrastructure native american communities develop visitor portals assets respect diversity native americans share local native american heritage development bilingual signage improve access transportation programs building capacity native american community tourism trade interior commerce work facilitator provide technical assistance indian tribes tribal organizations native hawaiian organizations participation tourism industry report departmental efforts supporting participation sec federal agencies support indian tribes tribal organizations native hawaiian organizations history culture continuing vitality enhancing maintaining distinctive cultural features providing authentic visitor experiences assist interpreting connections native americans national identity united_states enhance efforts promote understanding respect diverse cultures united_states relevance cultures ensure travelers airports ports entry manner respects diversity native american communities grants relating travel recreation tourism indian tribes tribal organizations native hawaiian organizations eligible support efforts present story culture revitalize native american communities arts humanities carry act smithsonian_institution work indian tribes tribal organizations native hawaiian organizations nonprofits share collections conduct joint research projects museums educational organizations cultural organizations


Summary:
Extracurricular Programs for Indian Children Act of 2015

This bill amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to require the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide grants for before-school, after-school, and summer school programs for Indian and Alaska Native students. Entities eligible for grants include Indian tribes, local educational agencies with more than 10% Indian or Alaska Native students, schools within Indian reservations, tribal colleges and universities, and tribal nonprofit organizations.

Grants may be used for activities that advance or improve student academic achievement and well-being, including education activities, Native language and culture programs, physical fitness activities, programs that promote parental involvement, substance abuse and violence prevention programs, health and mental health services, and transportation services.

The bill amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to make entities that are eligible for the grants in this Act eligible for the school lunch program, summer food service program for children, child and adult care food program, and school breakfast program.

bill amends consolidated_farm rural development act require department_of_agriculture usda provide grants school school summer school programs indian alaska_native students entities eligible grants include indian tribes local educational agencies indian alaska_native students schools indian reservations tribal colleges universities tribal nonprofit organizations grants activities advance improve student academic achievement including education activities native language culture programs physical fitness activities programs promote parental involvement substance abuse violence prevention programs health mental health services transportation services bill amends national school lunch act child nutrition act entities eligible grants act eligible school lunch program summer food service program children child adult care food program school breakfast program


Summary:
Tribal Tax Incentive for Renewable Energy Act of 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow Indian tribes an election to transfer a portion of the energy tax credit to another taxpayer.

bill amends internal_revenue_code allow indian tribes election transfer portion energy tax credit taxpayer


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

(Sec. 1) This bill takes into trust for the benefit of the Susanville Indian Rancheria approximately 301 acres of federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management of the Department of the Interior, including improvements and appurtenances, in Lassen County, California.

Certain gaming on these lands is prohibited.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure sec bill takes trust benefit approximately acres federal land administrative jurisdiction including improvements appurtenances california certain gaming lands prohibited


Summary:
Tribal Employment and Jobs Protection Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the definition of "applicable large employer" for purposes of the employer health care mandate under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA): (1) any Indian tribal government or subdivision, (2) any tribal organization, or (3) any corporation or partnership if more than 50% of the equity interest of such an entity is owned by an Indian tribal government or tribal organization. An applicable large employer is defined by PPACA as an employer who employs 50 or more full-time employees who provide services on average at least 30 hours per week.

jobs protection act bill amends internal_revenue_code exclude definition applicable large employer purposes employer health care mandate patient_protection affordable care act ppaca indian tribal government subdivision tribal organization corporation partnership equity interest entity owned indian tribal government tribal organization applicable large employer defined ppaca employer employs time employees provide services average hours week


Summary:
Tribal Infrastructure and Roads Enhancement and Safety Act or the TIRES Act

(Sec. 3) This bill modifies the approval process used for certain transportation projects on Indian reservations by allowing categorical exclusions from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements.

A "categorical exclusion" is a category of actions which do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment and which have been found to have no such effect in procedures adopted by a federal agency in implementing environmental regulations and for which, therefore, neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement is required.

A "tribal transportation safety project" is one that is eligible for assistance under the tribal transportation program and that:

 corrects or improves a hazardous road location or feature, or addresses a highway safety problem. The Department of the Interior shall review existing categorical exclusions for tribal transportation program projects and identify tribal transportation safety projects that meet categorical exclusion requirements.

The bill prescribes requirements for the expedited review and approval of tribal transportation safety projects under NEPA or other federal laws.

(Sec. 4) Interior shall enter into five-year programmatic agreements with Indian tribes that establish efficient administrative procedures for carrying out environmental reviews for tribal transportation projects, including whether any project is categorically excluded from the preparation of an environmental assessment or impact statement under NEPA.

safety act tires act sec bill modifies approval process certain transportation projects indian reservations allowing categorical exclusions national_environmental_policy_act nepa requirements categorical exclusion category actions individually cumulatively significant effect human environment found effect procedures adopted federal agency implementing environmental regulations environmental assessment environmental impact statement required tribal transportation safety project eligible assistance tribal transportation program corrects improves hazardous road location feature addresses highway safety problem department_of_the_interior shall review existing categorical exclusions tribal transportation program projects identify tribal transportation safety projects meet categorical exclusion requirements bill prescribes requirements expedited review approval tribal transportation safety projects nepa federal laws sec interior shall enter year programmatic agreements indian tribes establish efficient administrative procedures carrying environmental reviews tribal transportation projects including project categorically excluded preparation environmental assessment impact statement nepa


Summary: (Sec. 1) All U.S. interests in approximately 80 acres of specified U.S. Forest Service land located in Tuolumne County, California, must be held in trust for the benefit of the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians. Gaming is not permitted on this land.

sec interests approximately acres specified land located california held trust benefit tuolumne_band indians gaming permitted land


Summary:
Native American Voting Rights Act of 2015

This bill prohibits states and local governments from:

 eliminating the only polling place or voter registration site on an Indian reservation; moving or consolidating a polling place or voter registration site located on an Indian reservation to a location one mile or further from the existing one; moving or consolidating a polling place on an Indian reservation to a location across a natural boundary if that makes travel difficult for a voter, regardless of distance; eliminating in-person voting on an Indian reservation by designating an Indian reservation as a permanent absentee voting location, unless the entire state is or becomes a permanent absentee voting state or the Indian tribe requests such a designation; removing an early voting location or otherwise diminishing early voting opportunities on an Indian reservation; or decreasing the number of days or hours that an in-person or early voting location is open on an Indian reservation or changing the dates of in-person or early voting on an Indian reservation. Requirements for exceptions to such prohibitions are prescribed.

Each of the states whose territory contains all or part of an Indian reservation shall designate, for each Indian tribe of each Indian reservation, an officer within that state responsible for compliance with this Act.

Any state whose territory contains all or part of an Indian reservation shall provide one or more polling places for each Indian tribe satisfying certain obligations.

In states that provide for early voting a state or local election official shall provide upon request at least one early voting location on an Indian reservation.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is amended to require the Office of Personnel Management to assign an appropriate number of observers whenever the Attorney General receives a written complaint from an Indian tribe that efforts to deny or abridge the right to vote under the color of law on account of race or color, or in contravention of specified guarantees, are likely to occur.

bill prohibits states local governments eliminating polling place voter registration site indian reservation moving consolidating polling place voter registration site located indian reservation location mile existing moving consolidating polling place indian reservation location natural boundary makes travel difficult voter regardless distance eliminating person voting indian reservation designating indian reservation permanent absentee voting location entire state permanent absentee voting state indian tribe requests designation removing early voting location diminishing early voting opportunities indian reservation decreasing number days hours person early voting location open indian reservation changing dates person early voting indian reservation requirements exceptions prohibitions prescribed states territory contains indian reservation shall designate indian tribe indian reservation officer state responsible compliance act state territory contains indian reservation shall provide polling places indian tribe satisfying certain obligations states provide early voting state local election official shall provide request early voting location indian reservation voting rights act amended require office_of_personnel_management assign appropriate number observers attorney general receives written complaint indian tribe efforts deny right vote color law account race color contravention specified guarantees likely occur


Summary:
Native Educator Support and Training Act or the NEST Act

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

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

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

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

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

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

native educator support training act act bill amends higher education act establish scholarships loan forgiveness plans training programs educators commit teaching native american bureau_of_indian_education schools bill establishes scholarship programs students seeking degrees education school administration institutions higher education commit teaching native american schools indian student educator scholarship program students seeking degrees indian educator scholarship program indian students seeking degrees indian educator graduate fellowship program indian students seeking graduate degrees recipients scholarships commit working school school serving native americans specified schools agencies greater years number school years scholarship funded bill establishes loan forgiveness programs educators native americans taught consecutive years schools local educational agencies high percentages native american students bill extends federal educators teaching schools native american language immersion programs bill authorizes professional development grants native serving elementary secondary schools establishes native american language teacher training program provide grants institutions higher education develop training programs native american immersion language teachers


Summary:
This bill: (1) reaffirms the trust status of land taken into trust by the United States under the Indian Reorganization Act before enactment of this Act for an Indian tribe that was federally recognized on the date the land was taken into trust, and (2) ratifies and confirms any action of the Department of the Interior in acquiring and taking land into trust under such Act as if the action had been specifically authorized and directed by prior Act of Congress.

Any land taken into trust that has been ratified and confirmed by this Act shall remain Indian country.

This bill shall apply to all claims (including claims challenging the validity of title or the effectiveness of any action of Interior acquiring and taking land into trust) pending on, or filed on or after, the date of the enactment of this Act.

bill reaffirms trust status land taken trust united_states indian reorganization act enactment act indian tribe federally recognized date land taken trust ratifies confirms action department_of_the_interior acquiring taking land trust act action specifically authorized directed prior act congress land taken trust ratified confirmed act shall remain indian country bill shall apply claims including claims challenging validity title effectiveness action interior acquiring taking land trust pending filed date enactment act


Summary:
Alaska Native Veterans Land Allotment Equity Act

 Amends the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) to declare that any allotment application pending before the Department of the Interior on December 18, 1971, that was closed by the Department pursuant to the civil action Shields v. United States shall be reopened and considered to be approved.

Revises requirements for the eligibility of Alaska Native Vietnam veterans for an allotment. Extends eligibility for allotments to veterans who served between August 5, 1964, and May 7, 1975.

Allows eligible persons to file for allotments of up to two parcels of federal land (as under current law) totaling up to 160 acres.

Eliminates the limitation of these allotments to lands that were vacant, unappropriated, and unreserved on the date when the person eligible for the allotment first used and occupied them.

Allows allotments to be selected from vacant federal lands or lands that have been selected or conveyed to the state of Alaska or a Native Corporation, if the state or Corporation voluntarily relinquishes or conveys the land to the United States for allotment.

Limits the exclusions from lands that may be selected for allotments to: (1) lands in the right-of-way of the TransAlaska Pipeline; (2) the inner or outer corridor of such a right-of-way; or (3) a unit of the National Park System, a National Preserve, or a National Monument.

 Allows an heir of a deceased eligible veteran, regardless of the cause of death, to apply for and receive the allotment.

Permits any person who made an allotment selection under ANCSA before this Act's enactment to withdraw it and reselect lands if those originally selected were not conveyed to that person before this Act's enactment.

amends alaska native claims settlement act ancsa declare allotment application pending department_of_the_interior december closed department pursuant civil action shields united_states shall reopened considered approved revises requirements eligibility alaska native vietnam veterans allotment extends eligibility allotments veterans served august allows eligible persons file allotments parcels federal land current law totaling acres eliminates limitation allotments lands vacant unappropriated unreserved date person eligible allotment occupied allows allotments selected vacant federal lands lands selected conveyed state alaska native corporation state corporation voluntarily relinquishes conveys land united_states allotment limits exclusions lands selected allotments lands right way inner outer corridor right way unit national_park_system national preserve national_monument allows heir deceased eligible veteran regardless cause death apply receive allotment permits person allotment selection ancsa act enactment withdraw reselect lands originally selected conveyed person act enactment


Summary:
Bring the Ancient One Home Act of 2015

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

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

bring ancient home act bill directs chief army_corps_of_engineers transfer human remains known ancient archaeological collection number condition department disposes remains indian tribes band referred letter secretary secretary army relating human remains dated september corps_of_engineers shall responsible costs associated transfer


Summary:
Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians Water Rights Settlement Act

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

Confirms a Tribal Water Right that must be held in trust by the United States on behalf of the Band and its allottees. (Allottees are individuals who hold a beneficial real property interest in an Indian allotment that is located within the reservation and held in trust by the United States.)

Authorizes allottees to lease their lands together with any water right.

Requires the Band to enact a Pechanga Water Code that governs the storage, recovery, and use of the Tribal Water Right, subject to the Department of the Interior's approval.

Directs the Band and the United States (acting as trustee for the Band and allottees), to waive all claims for water rights within the Santa Margarita River Watershed.

States that the Band and the United States (acting as trustee for the Band), waive specified claims against the RCWD.

Authorizes the waiver of claims by the Band against the United States regarding specified water rights and damages.

Establishes in the Treasury the Pechanga Settlement Fund.

 Makes this Act enforceable on the date Interior publishes specified findings regarding despoits and approved agreements. Repeals this Act and voids any related agreements on May 1, 2021, or an alternative later date agreed to by the Band and Interior, if Interior does not publish those findings.

Prohibits Interior from being liable for failing to carry out any obligation or activity under this Act if there are insufficient appropriations.

pechanga band luiseno mission indians water rights settlement act authorizes ratifies confirms pechanga settlement agreement entered pechanga_band_of_luiseno_mission_indians rancho_california_water_district rcwd united_states extent modified conflicts act confirms tribal water right held trust united_states behalf band allottees allottees individuals hold beneficial real property interest indian allotment located reservation held trust united_states authorizes allottees lease lands water right requires band enact pechanga water code governs storage recovery use tribal_water_right subject department_of_the_interior approval directs band united_states acting trustee band allottees waive claims water rights santa_margarita_river_watershed states band united_states acting trustee band waive specified claims rcwd authorizes waiver claims band united_states specified water rights damages establishes treasury pechanga_settlement_fund makes act enforceable date interior publishes specified findings approved agreements repeals act voids related agreements alternative later date agreed band interior interior publish findings prohibits interior liable failing carry obligation activity act insufficient appropriations


Summary:
Keeping out Illegal Drugs Act of 2015 or the KIDs Act of 2015

This bill prohibits any Indian tribe or a tribal organization from: (1) cultivating, manufacturing, or distributing marijuana on Indian lands; (2) knowingly or intentionally allowing the cultivation, manufacture, or distribution of marijuana on Indian lands; or (3) failing to prosecute, or to notify the appropriate federal official regarding, an individual or entity who is discovered to be cultivating, manufacturing, or distributing marijuana on Indian lands or failing to destroy the relevant marijuana crop in accordance with federal law.

No funds authorized or appropriated by federal law shall be made available to an Indian tribe or a tribal organization determined to have violated this Act until such tribe or tribal organization has remedied the violation and achieved compliance with this Act.

keeping illegal drugs act kids act bill prohibits indian tribe tribal organization cultivating manufacturing distributing marijuana indian lands knowingly intentionally allowing cultivation manufacture distribution marijuana indian lands failing prosecute notify appropriate federal official individual entity discovered cultivating manufacturing distributing marijuana indian lands failing destroy relevant marijuana crop accordance federal law funds authorized appropriated federal law shall available indian tribe tribal organization determined violated act tribe tribal organization remedied violation achieved compliance act


Summary:
This bill amends the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to recognize Alexander Creek as a Native village. Currently, Alexander Creek is recognized as a Native group. (Under the Act, a Native village is entitled to more land than a Native group.)

Alexander Creek must file any amendments to its corporate charter that are necessary to convert from a Native group to a Native village.

The Department of the Interior must negotiate with Alexander Creek to fairly and equitably settle aboriginal land claims and any other claims against the United States.

Alexander Creek must notify its members that the Cook Inlet regional corporation will make future payments to the village instead of to individual members. The regional corporation is not liable for damages related to cessation of payments to individual members of Alexander Creek.

bill amends alaska_native_claims_settlement_act recognize alexander_creek native village currently alexander_creek recognized native group act native village entitled land native group alexander_creek file amendments corporate charter necessary convert native group native village department_of_the_interior negotiate alexander_creek fairly equitably settle aboriginal land claims claims united_states alexander_creek notify members cook inlet regional corporation future payments village instead individual members regional corporation liable damages related cessation payments individual members alexander_creek


Summary:
Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts Act of 2015

This bill permits the Department of Justice (DOJ) to award grants to tribal governments acting in partnership with state or local governments for tribal healing to wellness courts. (A tribal healing to wellness court is a drug court that is a component of a tribal justice system and includes substance abuse treatment and may include cultural activities.)

Courts receiving grants must monitor individuals under their jurisdiction and must periodically test each individual for drug use. DOJ may require these courts to increase punitive or treatment responses for an individual who fails a drug test.

Violent offenders may not be under the jurisdiction of these courts unless the court has received a waiver from DOJ.

wellness courts act bill permits department_of_justice doj award grants tribal governments acting partnership state local governments tribal healing wellness courts tribal healing wellness court drug court component tribal justice system includes substance abuse treatment include cultural activities courts receiving grants monitor individuals jurisdiction periodically test individual drug use doj require courts increase punitive treatment responses individual fails drug test violent offenders jurisdiction courts court received waiver doj


Summary:
Tribal Early Childhood, Education, and Related Services Integration Act of 2015

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

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

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

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

tribal early childhood education related services integration act bill amends require department_of_health_and_human_services hhs establish demonstration program support tribal early childhood education demonstration projects funding projects existing programs purpose consistent purpose demonstration program hhs waive certain provisions law policy procedure related programs providing funding projects demonstration projects carried indian tribe tribal organization consortium tribe tribal organization primary member designed new approaches address tribal community needs improve early childhood education services focused native culture culturally based early childhood education related services hhs grants demonstration projects build upgrade facilities early childhood care development reimburse early childhood educators fulfill period obligated service costs associated obtaining early childhood certification credentials bill amends higher education act revise federal student loan forgiveness loan cancellation teachers increase maximum amounts loan forgiveness cancellation provided early childhood teachers programs operated indian tribes serving large percentage indian children cancellation student loans public service expanded include service indian prekindergarten child care programs early childhood learning development centers


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

(Sec. 1) This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to convey to the Tanana Tribal Council in Tanana, Alaska, all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to certain property (including all land, improvements, and appurtenances) containing 11.25 acres, in the village of Tanana for use in connection with health and social services programs.

The bill states that this conveyance by warranty deed shall supersede and render of no future effect any quitclaim deed to the property executed by HHS and the Council.

 This conveyance: (1) shall be made by warranty deed; and (2) shall not require any consideration from the Council for the property, impose any obligation, term, or condition on the Council, or allow for any U.S. reversionary interest in the property.

 The Council shall not be liable for soil, surface water, groundwater, or other contamination resulting from the disposal, release, or presence of environmental contamination (including oil or petroleum products, hazardous substances, hazardous materials, hazardous waste, pollutants, toxic substances, solid waste, or any other environmental contamination or hazard under any federal or Alaska law).

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

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

(Sec. 2) HHS shall convey to the Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation in Dillingham, Alaska, all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to certain property included in the Dental Annex Subdivision (including all land, improvements, and appurtenances) containing 1.474 acres more or less, also for use in connection with health and social services programs.

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

 This conveyance: (1) shall be made by warranty deed; and (2) shall not require any consideration from the Corporation for the property, impose any obligation, term, or condition on the Corporation, or allow for any U.S. reversionary interest in the property.

 The Corporation shall not be liable for soil, surface water, groundwater, or other contamination resulting from the disposal, release, or presence of environmental contamination (including oil or petroleum products, hazardous substances, hazardous materials, hazardous waste, pollutants, toxic substances, solid waste, or any other environmental contamination or hazard under any federal or Alaska law).

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

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

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure sec bill directs department_of_health_and_human_services hhs convey alaska right title interest united_states certain property including land improvements appurtenances containing acres village use connection health social services programs bill states conveyance warranty deed shall supersede render future effect quitclaim deed property executed hhs council conveyance shall warranty deed shall require consideration impose obligation term condition council allow reversionary interest property council shall liable soil surface water groundwater contamination resulting disposal release presence environmental contamination including oil petroleum products hazardous substances hazardous materials hazardous waste pollutants toxic substances solid waste environmental contamination hazard federal alaska law hhs shall accorded easement access conveyed property necessary satisfy retained obligations liability hhs shall comply requirements comprehensive environmental response compensation liability act respecting certain deeds transfer real property hazardous substance stored year disposed known released sec hhs shall convey alaska right title interest united_states certain property included including land improvements appurtenances containing acres use connection health social services programs bill states conveyance warranty deed shall supersede render future effect quitclaim deed property executed hhs corporation conveyance shall warranty deed shall require consideration corporation property impose obligation term condition corporation allow reversionary interest property corporation shall liable soil surface water groundwater contamination resulting disposal release presence environmental contamination including oil petroleum products hazardous substances hazardous materials hazardous waste pollutants toxic substances solid waste environmental contamination hazard federal alaska law hhs shall accorded easement access conveyed property necessary satisfy retained obligations liability hhs shall comply requirements comprehensive environmental response compensation liability act respecting certain deeds transfer real property hazardous substance stored year disposed known released


Summary:
Safe Academic Facilities and Environments for Tribal Youth Act or the SAFETY Act

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

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

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

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

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

safe academic facilities environments tribal youth act safety act bill directs department_of_the_interior carry award grants indian tribes construction replacement tribal schools program provides additional funding opportunities tribes construct schools tribes interior priority list construction tribal schools receive highest priority grant program bill amends tribally_controlled_colleges universities assistance act revise grant program construction tribal colleges universities bill eliminates requirements interior identify need construction tribal colleges universities provide matching funds restrictions grant amounts use constructed facilities removed bill amends housing act authorize department_of_agriculture award grants indian tribes tribal organizations tribal housing entities construction renovation housing rural areas educators indian schools schools students indian bureau_of_indian_education office_of_management_and_budget develop year plan bring good condition certain bureau_of_indian_education school facilities government_accountability_office report impact aid construction provided local education agencies impacted military dependent children children reside indian lands


Summary:
Reforming American Indian Standards of Education Act of 2016 or the RAISE Act of 2016

(Sec. 3) This bill establishes the Indian Education Agency to replace the Bureau of Indian Education.

(Sec. 4) Functions, authorities, and personnel of the Department of the Interior related to Indian education are transferred to the agency.

(Sec. 5) The President's budget must include a separate request for funds for construction of schools by the agency. In making such funds available, the agency must prioritize schools with the most serious deficiencies in capacity or facility conditions.

(Sec. 7) The agency must give preference in hiring to members of Indian tribes.

(Sec. 8) The agency must annually report on its activities, the effectiveness of this bill, and recommendations for legislation to improve the agency.

(Sec. 9) Regulations promulgated by the agency are not subject to review or approval by Interior.

reforming american indian standards education act raise act sec bill establishes replace bureau_of_indian_education sec functions authorities personnel department_of_the_interior related indian education transferred agency sec president budget include separate request funds construction schools agency making funds available agency prioritize schools deficiencies capacity facility conditions sec agency preference hiring members indian tribes sec agency annually report activities effectiveness bill recommendations legislation improve agency sec regulations promulgated agency subject review approval interior


Summary:
Reservation Land Consolidation Act of 2016

This bill amends the Indian Reorganization Act to have land within or contiguous to an Indian tribe's reservation taken into trust for the benefit of the tribe immediately upon the tribe's submission to the Department of the Interior of an application that contains title evidence for the land. Currently, such applications must be reviewed and approved by Interior before the land is taken into trust.

reservation land consolidation act bill amends indian reorganization act land contiguous indian tribe reservation taken trust benefit tribe immediately tribe submission department_of_the_interior application contains title evidence land currently applications reviewed approved interior land taken trust


Summary: This bill amends the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to provide that nothing in such Actprohibits possessing, selling, bartering, purchasing, shipping, and transporting any authentic Alaska Native handicraft, clothing or art on the basis that it contains a non-edible migratory bird part, so long as the bird was not taken in a wasteful manner.

bill amends migratory bird treaty act provide possessing selling purchasing shipping transporting authentic alaska_native handicraft clothing art basis contains non migratory bird long bird taken wasteful manner


Summary:
Pueblo de Cochiti Self-Governance Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Act of August 26, 1992, to ratify modifications to the settlement agreement between the Pueblo de Cochiti of New Mexico and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In accordance with the amended agreement, the tribe assumes legal and financial responsibility for the operation and maintenance of a drainage system, and gaming is prohibited on land acquired using settlement funds.

pueblo self governance act sec bill amends act august ratify modifications settlement agreement accordance amended agreement tribe assumes legal financial responsibility operation maintenance drainage system gaming prohibited land acquired settlement funds


Summary:
Native American Education Opportunity Act

This bill amends the Education Amendments of 1978 to require the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to reimburse states for grants made to education savings accounts for eligible students who: (1) attended or will be eligible to attend a BIA-funded school, (2) live on the reservation of a tribe, (3) will not be attending a BIA-funded school or other public elementary or secondary school for the applicable school year, and (4) meet applicable eligibility requirements.

From education savings accounts, parents may purchase goods and services related to students' educational needs.

opportunity act bill amends education_amendments require bureau_of_indian_affairs bia reimburse states grants education savings accounts eligible students attended eligible attend bia funded school live reservation tribe attending bia funded school public elementary secondary school applicable school year meet applicable eligibility requirements education savings accounts parents purchase goods services related students educational needs


Summary:
Dam Repairs and Improvements for Tribes Act of 2016 or the DRIFT Act of 2016

TITLE I--INDIAN DAM SAFETY DEFERRED MAINTENANCE FUNDS

Subtitle A--High-Hazard Fund

(Sec. 101) This bill establishes the High-Hazard Indian Dam Safety Deferred Maintenance Fund.

(Sec. 102) The Department of the Treasury must make deposits to this fund at least monthly until the fund is terminated at the end of FY2037.

Subtitle B--Low-Hazard Fund

(Sec. 111) This bill establishes the Low-Hazard Indian Dam Safety Deferred Maintenance Fund.

(Sec. 112) The Department of the Treasury must make deposits to this fund at least monthly until the fund is terminated at the end of FY2037.

TITLE II--REPAIR, REPLACEMENT, AND MAINTENANCE OF CERTAIN INDIAN DAMS

Subtitle A--Program Establishment

(Sec. 201) The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) must establish a program to address the deferred maintenance needs of Indian dams that create flood risks or other risks to safety, natural resources, or cultural resources and impede the management and efficiency of Indian dams.

(Sec. 202) To be eligible, a dam must be federally owned and included in the BIA's Safety of Dams program. The low hazard fund and high hazard fund must be used to pay for maintenance, repair, and replacement activities for dams classified under guidelines of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as low hazard and significant or high hazard, respectively.

(Sec. 203) The BIA must: (1) develop programmatic goals and prioritization criteria before expending funds; (2) prioritize dams that serve more than one tribe or highly populated Indian communities; (3) consult with landowners served by the dam before expending funds, except in emergencies; and (4) ensure that, each year, every dam in need of critical maintenance receives funding.

Subtitle B--Management

(Sec. 211) The Department of the Interior must establish in the BIA the Tribal Safety of Dams Committee to study the modernization of the Indian Dams Safety Act of 1994 and develop recommendations for legislation to improve that Act.

(Sec. 212) The BIA must: (1) request that Indian tribes report on dams on their land at least once every 180 days, and (2) report on each dam under BIA jurisdiction at least once each year.

(Sec. 213) The BIA must establish a flood plain management pilot program to provide, upon request, guidance to Indians tribes on best practices for the mitigation and prevention of floods. The program is funded through the funds for high- and low-hazard dams and is terminated four years after enactment of this bill.

(Sec. 214) This bill amends the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 to revise the tribal partnership program, including to permit the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide assistance for any activity relating to the feasibility, planning, design, or construction of a water resources development project.

(Sec. 215) This bill amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to extend to tribes the waiver of cost-sharing requirements for studies and projects.

dam repairs act title indian dam safety deferred maintenance funds subtitle high hazard fund sec bill establishes high hazard indian dam safety deferred maintenance fund sec department_of_the_treasury deposits fund monthly fund terminated end subtitle low hazard fund sec bill establishes low hazard indian dam safety deferred maintenance fund sec department_of_the_treasury deposits fund monthly fund terminated end title repair replacement maintenance certain indian dams subtitle program establishment sec bureau_of_indian_affairs bia establish program address deferred maintenance needs indian dams create flood risks risks safety natural resources cultural resources impede management efficiency indian dams sec eligible dam federally owned included bia program low hazard fund high hazard fund pay maintenance repair replacement activities dams classified guidelines federal_emergency_management_agency fema low hazard significant high hazard respectively sec bia develop programmatic goals prioritization criteria expending funds prioritize dams serve tribe highly populated indian communities consult landowners served dam expending funds emergencies ensure year dam need critical maintenance receives funding subtitle management sec department_of_the_interior establish bia study modernization develop recommendations legislation improve act sec bia request indian tribes report dams land days report dam bia jurisdiction year sec bia establish flood plain management pilot program provide request guidance indians tribes best practices mitigation prevention floods program funded funds high- low hazard dams terminated years enactment bill sec bill amends water_resources_development_act revise tribal partnership program including permit provide assistance activity relating feasibility planning design construction water resources development project sec bill amends water_resources_development_act extend tribes waiver cost sharing requirements studies projects


Summary:
Alaska Native Access Card Act

This bill amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to direct the National Marine Fisheries Serviceand the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to develop and implement a process for issuing an Alaska Native Access Card.

The Alaska Native Access Card authorizes Alaska Natives to import marine mammal products into the United States for noncommercial purposes.

alaska native access card act bill amends marine_mammal_protection_act direct develop implement process issuing alaska native access card authorizes alaska_natives import marine mammal products united_states noncommercial purposes


Summary: This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to exempt Indian tribes from any requirement to provide compensatory mitigation as a condition of a permit to discharge dredged or fill material into waters of the United States when the permitted activity is conducted on Indian land. If the Indian tribe ceases to maintain the permitted activity on that land, or seeks to abandon that activity without a good faith transfer, the Indian tribe must obtain a permit modification from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps of Engineers may require restoration and rehabilitation of the area.

bill amends federal_water_pollution_control_act commonly known clean water act exempt indian tribes requirement provide compensatory mitigation condition permit discharge dredged fill material waters united_states permitted activity conducted indian land indian tribe ceases maintain permitted activity land seeks abandon activity good faith transfer indian tribe obtain permit modification corps_of_engineers require restoration rehabilitation area


Summary:
Tribal Youth and Community Protection Act of 2016

This bill reauthorizes through FY2020, and revises, provisions of the Indian Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1986 and other laws that: (1) support efforts to combat alcohol and substance abuse among tribal members, and (2) authorize the Department of Justice to award grants to enhance the criminal justice systems of tribal governments. The bill also expands and modifies tribal jurisdiction over certain crimes.

bill reauthorizes fy2020 revises provisions substance abuse prevention treatment act laws support efforts combat alcohol substance abuse tribal members authorize department_of_justice award grants enhance criminal justice systems tribal governments bill expands modifies tribal jurisdiction certain crimes


Summary:
Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes Act or the RESPECT Act

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

tribes act respect act bill repeals outdated provisions treatment native americans including provisions hostile tribes alcohol work requirements penalties truancy placement youth reform school consent parent guardian


Summary:
Johnson-O'Malley Supplemental Indian Education Program Modernization Act

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

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

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

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

bill amends establish program bureau_of_indian_affairs bia shall contract eligible entities purpose providing educational benefits indian students eligible entity entity serves indian students indian tribe tribal organization indian corporation school district state consortium entities eligible entity shall use funds establish expand programs provide remedial instruction counseling cultural programs school supplies specified courses activities establish targeted culturally sensitive dropout prevention activities purchase equipment facilitate training trade skills college preparation general bia shall base contract number eligible indian students educated served eligible entity respect contracts bia ensure geographic coverage participation eligible entities


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

(Sec. 1) This bill amends the Indian Long-Term Leasing Act to expand the land of the Pueblo of Santa Clara and Ohkay Owingeh pueblo that may be leased for up to 99 years with the approval of the Department of the Interior, from lands held in trust, to all of the lands of the Pueblo of Santa Clara and Ohkay Owingeh pueblo.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure sec bill amends indian long term leasing act expand land pueblo pueblo leased years approval department_of_the_interior lands held trust lands pueblo


Summary:
Tribal Law and Order Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2016

This bill amends the Indian Law Enforcement Act, the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010, and other laws to: (1) establish, or reauthorize through FY2021 and revise, various public safety programs and services with respect to Indian communities; and (2) modify provisions, and reauthorize through FY2021 various programs, related to Indian youth and juvenile justice.

order reauthorization amendments act bill amends tribal law order act laws establish reauthorize fy2021 revise public safety programs services respect indian communities modify provisions reauthorize fy2021 programs related indian youth juvenile justice


Summary:
Indian Health Service Accountability Act of 2016 or the IHS Accountability Act of 2016

This bill amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, the Public Health Service Act, and other laws to:

 allow the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to remove, transfer, or demote certain employees of the Indian Health Service (IHS) based on performance or misconduct; allow HHS to establish certain incentives related to IHS employee recruitment and retention; require HHS to modify the pay system for certain IHS employees; establish requirements for IHS and its employees with respect to retaliation and other conduct; and revise other provisions regarding IHS hiring practices, liability protections, accountability, and transparency.

indian_health_service accountability act bill amends indian_health_care_improvement_act public_health_service_act laws allow department_of_health_and_human_services hhs remove transfer demote certain employees indian_health_service ihs based performance misconduct allow hhs establish certain incentives related ihs employee recruitment retention require hhs modify pay system certain ihs employees establish requirements ihs employees respect retaliation conduct revise provisions ihs hiring practices liability protections accountability transparency


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on September 27, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

(Sec. 1) This bill amends the White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act of 2010 to specify that settlement funds may be used for the planning, design, and construction of the tribe's rural water system.

measure amended reported senate september summary version repeated sec bill amends specify settlement funds planning design construction tribe rural water system


Summary:
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Improvement Act of 2016

This bill amends the Barrow Gas Field Transfer Act of 1984 to require the Department of the Interior to convey to the Ukpeagvik Inupiat Corporation, an Alaska Native village corporation, sand and gravel deposits underlying a surface estate owned by the corporation.

Interior must grant the Shishmaref Native Corporation, a village corporation, an easement between Shishmaref, Alaska, and the area of Ear Mountain, Alaska.

Shee Atika Incorporated, an urban Native corporation, may opt to receive credits from the Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the sale of Cube Cove in Admiralty Island, Alaska, that may be used to acquire federal property sold at public sales.

The bill authorizes a land exchange between the USDA and the Sealaska Corporation, an Alaska Native regional corporation.

Cook Inlet Region, Inc., a regional corporation, may satisfy its claim land under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA).

The bill amends ANCSA to require Interior to convey: (1) a surface estate to Kian Tr'ee Corporation, a village corporation, for the Native village of Canyon Village; and (2) a subsurface estate to Doyon Limited, a regional corporation.

Upon application by the village of Kaktovik or Nagamut, Interior must convey land within the National Wildlife Refuge System to the village.

The bill makes land held by Alaska Native corporations subject to the National Historic Preservation Act, the Tribal Forest Protection Act, and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.

Native residents of the villages of Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee, and Wrangell, Alaska, may organize as urban corporations. Upon incorporation, Interior must offer each corporation 23,040 acres of land.

Alaska Native veterans who served during the Vietnam War may receive an allotment of federal land.

bill amends transfer act require department_of_the_interior convey alaska_native village corporation sand gravel deposits underlying surface estate owned corporation interior grant village corporation easement alaska area alaska urban native corporation opt receive credits department_of_agriculture usda sale cove alaska acquire federal property sold public sales bill authorizes land exchange usda alaska_native regional corporation cook inlet region regional corporation satisfy claim land alaska native claims settlement act ancsa bill amends ancsa require interior convey surface estate village corporation native village subsurface estate regional corporation application village kaktovik interior convey land national_wildlife_refuge_system village bill makes land held alaska_native corporations subject national_historic_preservation_act native american graves protection repatriation act native residents villages ketchikan petersburg tenakee organize urban corporations incorporation interior offer corporation acres land alaska_native veterans served vietnam war receive allotment federal land


Summary:
Salish and Kootenai Water Rights Settlement Act of 2016

This bill authorizes, ratifies, and confirms a specified water rights settlement entered into by the United States, Montana, and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation of Montana. Specified claims of the tribes against the United States are waived and released.

The Department of the Interior shall allocate specified amounts of storage water in Hungry Horse Reservoir for use by the tribes.

In addition, the bill: (1) establishes provisions related to the development of hydroelectric power within the reservation; (2) requires the Bureau of Reclamation to carry out specified activities related to the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project; (3) establishes, for purposes of carrying out the bill, the Selis-Qlispe Ksanka Settlement Trust Fund and the Salish and Kootenai Compact Fund; and (4) confirms certain instream flow water rights of the tribes.

bill authorizes ratifies confirms specified water rights settlement entered united_states montana confederated tribes reservation montana specified claims tribes united_states waived released department_of_the_interior shall allocate specified amounts storage water use tribes addition bill establishes provisions related development hydroelectric power reservation requires bureau_of_reclamation carry specified activities related establishes purposes carrying bill confirms certain instream flow water rights tribes


Summary:
Tribal Forestry Participation and Protection Act of 2016

This bill amends the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004 and the National Indian Forest Resources Management Act to establish:

 a timeframe for consideration of tribal requests to protect Indian forest land or rangeland; a tribal forest management demonstration project; and pilot authority for the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service to, upon request of an Indian tribe, treat certain federal forest land as Indian land for purposes of specified land management activities.

bill amends tribal_forest_protection act establish timeframe consideration tribal requests protect indian forest land rangeland tribal forest management demonstration project pilot authority bureau_of_land_management forest_service request indian tribe treat certain federal forest land indian land purposes specified land management activities


Summary:
Plymouth 400th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to issue up to 100,000 $5 gold coins, 500,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the landing and settlement of Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts, the signing of the Mayflower Compact, and the role of the indigenous Wampanoag tribes in the realization of the settlement.

These coins may be issued only during a two-year period beginning January 1, 2020.

Sales of such coins shall include specified surcharges, which shall be paid by Treasury as follows:

 50% to Plymouth 400, Inc., to support the its work to develop, implement, and provide oversight for the commemorations surrounding the events of 2020-2021 and to be distributed, at the organization's discretion, to local historical preservation and cultural organizations to support their work in educating the public about the settlement of 1620 and their continued existence for the benefit of future generations; 15% to Plimoth Plantation to support its effort to maintain the replica of the 1627 Plantation, the Mayflower II, and the replica of the Wampanoag Village; 15% to a Wampanoag tribal organization to continue programs to educate people about the life of the Wampanoag people prior to the Plymouth settlement and their interactions with the settlers; 10% to the General Society of Mayflower Descendants to support the continued restoration of the main facility in Plymouth, to provide funding for its research library at that site, and for educational purposes; and 10% to the Pilgrim Society to continue its work in displaying the story of the settlement and settlement artifacts.

400th anniversary commemorative coin act bill directs department_of_the_treasury issue gold coins silver coins half dollar coins emblematic landing settlement massachusetts signing compact role indigenous tribes settlement coins issued year period beginning january sales coins shall include specified surcharges shall paid treasury follows support work develop implement provide oversight surrounding events distributed organization discretion local historical preservation cultural organizations support work educating public settlement continued existence benefit future generations support effort maintain tribal organization continue programs educate people life people prior settlement interactions support continued restoration main facility provide funding research library site educational purposes continue work displaying story settlement settlement artifacts


Summary:
Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2016

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

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

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

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

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

safeguard tribal objects bill increases maximum term imprisonment years years individuals convicted illegal trafficking native american human remains cultural items bill bans export illegally obtained native american cultural objects sets penalties violations ban person immune criminal prosecution laws native american cultural objects person voluntarily appropriate tribe native american cultural objects person possession later years enactment bill immunity apply person active investigation prosecution relating native american cultural objects government_accountability_office gao report number native american cultural objects illegally trafficked extent department_of_justice prosecuted cases trafficking gao recommend actions eliminate trafficking secure repatriation native american cultural objects department_of_the_interior facilitate convention working group contribute information gao report advise implementation gao recommendations


Summary:
Alaska Economic Development and Access to Resources Act

This bill addresses oil and gas production on federal lands in Alaska.

The bill also authorizes the establishment of a state forest in Alaska.

access resources act bill addresses oil gas production federal lands alaska bill authorizes establishment state forest alaska


Summary: This bill repeals the act entitled "An Act to confer jurisdiction on the State of Iowa over offenses committed by or against Indians on the Sac and Fox Indian Reservation."

bill repeals act entitled act confer jurisdiction offenses committed indians


Summary:
Columbia River In-Lieu and Treaty Fishing Access Sites Improvement Act

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

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

columbia river lieu treaty fishing access sites improvement act bill authorizes bureau_of_indian_affairs bia assess sanitation safety conditions bia land set aside provide columbia river treaty tribes access traditional fishing grounds federal agency carry assessment bia enter contracts tribes tribal organizations improve sanitation safety conditions access electricity sewer water infrastructure land


Summary:
Indian Community Economic Enhancement Act of 2016

This bill amends the Native American Business Development, Trade Promotion, and Tourism Act of 2000 to establish duties for the Office of Native American Business Development (ONABD), including: (1) advising the Department of Commerce regarding the relationship between the United States and Indian tribes; and (2) serving as the point of contact for tribes, tribal organizations, and members of tribes regarding economic development.

The ONABD, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, and the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund must coordinate to support economic development in Native American communities.

CDFI Fund assistance for Native American communities provided through certain entities does not require matching funds.

For purposes of financing and economic or community development, the essential governmental functions of a tribe are the same as those of a state or local government with general taxing authority.

The bill establishes the Indian Economic Development Fund to provide credit subsidies for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) loan guarantee program and for certain community development financial institutions.

This bill amends the Buy Indian Act, including to require the Department of Health and Human Services to use Native American labor and purchase Native American products.

This bill amends the Indian Trader Act to permit the BIA, under specified conditions, to waive the requirement for persons to be licensed to engage in trade with a tribe.

This bill amends the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to permit the BIA to provide financial assistance to certain community development financial institutions for Native American projects.

bill amends tourism act establish duties including advising department_of_commerce relationship united_states indian tribes serving point contact tribes tribal organizations members tribes economic development office assistant secretary indian_affairs coordinate support economic development native american communities assistance native american communities provided certain entities require matching funds purposes financing economic community development essential governmental functions tribe state local government general taxing authority bill establishes provide credit subsidies bureau_of_indian_affairs bia loan guarantee program certain community development financial institutions bill amends buy indian act including require department_of_health_and_human_services use native american labor purchase native american products bill amends indian trader act permit bia specified conditions waive requirement persons licensed engage trade tribe bill amends permit bia provide financial assistance certain community development financial institutions native american projects


Summary:
Native American Business Incubators Program Act

This bill requires the Department of the Interior to establish a grant program in the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development for establishing and operating business incubators that serve Indian reservation communities, including Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs. A business incubator is an organization that: (1) provides physical workspace and facilities resources to startups and established businesses, and (2) is designed to accelerate the growth and success of businesses through a variety of business support resources and services.

Interior must facilitate the establishment of relationships between grant recipients and educational institutions serving Native American communities.

bill requires department_of_the_interior establish grant program establishing operating business incubators serve indian reservation communities including native businesses native entrepreneurs business incubator organization provides physical facilities resources startups established businesses designed accelerate growth success businesses variety business support resources services interior facilitate establishment relationships grant recipients educational institutions serving native american communities


Summary:
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Improvement Act of 2016

This bill amends the Barrow Gas Field Transfer Act of 1984 to require the Department of the Interior to convey to the Ukpeagvik Inupiat Corporation, an Alaska Native village corporation, sand and gravel deposits underlying a surface estate owned by the corporation.

 Interior must grant the Shishmaref Native Corporation, a village corporation, an easement between Shishmaref, Alaska, and the area of Ear Mountain, Alaska.

Shee Atika Incorporated, an urban Native corporation, may opt to receive credits from the Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the sale of Cube Cove in Admiralty Island, Alaska, that may be used to acquire federal property sold at public sales.

The bill authorizes a land exchange between the USDA and the Sealaska Corporation, an Alaska Native regional corporation.

Cook Inlet Region, Inc., a regional corporation, may satisfy its claim land under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA).

The bill amends ANCSA to require Interior to convey: (1) a surface estate to Kian Tr'ee Corporation, a village corporation, for the Native village of Canyon Village; and (2) a subsurface estate to Doyon Limited, a regional corporation.

Upon application by the village of Kaktovik or Nagamut, Interior must convey land within the National Wildlife Refuge System to the village.

The bill makes land held by Alaska Native corporations subject to the National Historic Preservation Act, the Tribal Forest Protection Act, and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.

Native residents of the villages of Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee, and Wrangell, Alaska, may organize as urban corporations. Upon incorporation, Interior must offer each corporation 23,040 acres of land.

Alaska Native veterans who served during the Vietnam War may receive an allotment of federal land.


Summary: This bill amends the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to transfer investment and interest income from the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes Water Rights Development Fund and Operation and Maintenance Fund to the tribes for use in accordance with the Water Rights Development Fund and Operation and Maintenance Fund.

bill amends omnibus_public_land_management_act transfer investment interest income tribes use accordance


Summary:
Hualapai Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2016

This bill: (1) ratifies and modifies the Hualapai Tribe water rights settlement agreement negotiated between the tribe, the United States, Arizona, and others; and (2) satisfies the claims of the tribe for water rights and injury to water rights under all law with respect to the Hualapai land.

The bill enumerates the tribe's water rights in the Bill Williams, Colorado, and Verde River basins. The tribe may divert, use, and store the tribe water from the Central Arizona Project, but the tribe must pay charges associated with the delivery of the water as well as the tribe's water project costs.

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) must plan, design, and construct the Hualapai Water Project, which must be designed to divert, treat, and convey no less than 3,414 acre-feet per year of water from the Colorado River for municipal, commercial, and industrial uses on the Hualapai Reservation. Reclamation must convey to the tribe title for the project once it is substantially complete.

The bill establishes the: (1) Hualapai Water Project Account for constructing the project; and (2) Hualapai OM&R Trust Account for the operation, maintenance and replacement charges associated with the project.

The Department of the Interior must accept certain parcels of land to hold in trust for the benefit of the tribe. In the future, land located outside the boundaries of the reservation may only be taken into trust by the United States for the benefit of the tribe through an act of Congress.

The bill outlines: (1) waivers, releases, and retentions of claims by the tribe and the United States under the settlement agreement; and (2) a limited waiver of sovereign immunity by the United States and the tribe with respect to certain claims.

bill ratifies modifies tribe water rights settlement agreement negotiated tribe united_states arizona satisfies claims tribe water rights injury water rights law respect land bill enumerates tribe water rights colorado basins tribe divert use store tribe water tribe pay charges associated delivery water tribe water project costs plan design construct designed divert treat convey acre feet year water colorado_river municipal commercial industrial uses reclamation convey tribe title project substantially complete bill establishes water project account constructing project trust account operation maintenance replacement charges associated project department_of_the_interior accept certain parcels land hold trust benefit tribe future land located outside boundaries reservation taken trust united_states benefit tribe act congress bill outlines waivers releases claims tribe united_states settlement agreement limited waiver sovereign immunity united_states tribe respect certain claims


Summary:
Native American Health Savings Improvement Act

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

bill amends internal_revenue_code specify receiving hospital care medical services medical care program indian_health_service tribal organization disqualify individual eligible health savings account


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

bill amends internal_revenue_code employee retirement income security act erisa treat employee benefit pension plans maintained indian tribes domestic relations orders issued pursuant tribal law manner plans maintained states domestic relations orders issued pursuant state law