Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

Southcentral Foundation Land Transfer Act of 2025

Southcentral Foundation Land Transfer Act of 2025 This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to convey approximately 3.4 acres in Anchorage, Alaska, to the Southcentral Foundation (SCF) for use in connection with health and social services programs. The conveyance must be made by warranty deed. The conveyance may not (1) require any consideration (such as payment) from the SCF for the property; (2) impose any obligation, term, or condition on the SCF relating to that property; or (3) allow for any U.S. reversionary interest in the property. HHS must be accorded any easement or access to the property as may be reasonably necessary to satisfy any retained obligation or liability of HHS. The bill prohibits the SCF from being liable for certain environmental contamination that occurred on or before the date on which the property is conveyed to the SCF. In turn, HHS may not be liable for any contamination that occurred after the date that the SCF controlled, occupied, and used the property.

Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act

Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act This bill takes approximately 1,082.63 acres of specified lands in Washington into trust for the benefit of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. Land taken into trust shall be part of the tribe's reservation. Further, the bill prohibits gaming on the land taken into trust.

Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act of 2025

Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act of 2025 This bill takes approximately 265 acres of specified lands in El Dorado County, California, into trust for the benefit of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians. The bill revokes a specified public land order and administratively transfers the land from the Forest Service to the Department of the Interior. (In the public land order, the land was designated for use by the Forest Service as an experiment station.) The bill directs Interior to take the following lands into trust for the benefit of the tribe: (1) approximately 80 acres of federal land managed by Interior's Bureau of Land Management (which includes the land transferred from the Forest Service), and (2) approximately 185 acres of fee land held by the tribe. These combined lands, approximately 265 acres, shall be part of the tribe's reservation. Further, the bill prohibits gaming on the land taken into trust.

Southcentral Foundation Land Transfer Act of 2025

Southcentral Foundation Land Transfer Act of 2025 This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to convey approximately 3.4 acres in Anchorage, Alaska, to the Southcentral Foundation (SCF) for use in connection with health and social services programs. The conveyance must be made by warranty deed. The conveyance may not (1) require any consideration (such as payment) from the SCF for the property; (2) impose any obligation, term, or condition on the SCF relating to that property; or (3) allow for any U.S. reversionary interest in the property. HHS must be accorded any easement or access to the property as may be reasonably necessary to satisfy any retained obligation or liability of HHS. The bill prohibits the SCF from being liable for certain environmental contamination that occurred on or before the date on which the property is conveyed to the SCF. In turn, HHS may not be liable for any contamination that occurred after the date that the SCF controlled, occupied, and used the property.

Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act

Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act This bill takes approximately 1,082.63 acres of specified lands in Washington into trust for the benefit of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. Land taken into trust shall be part of the tribe's reservation. Further, the bill prohibits gaming on the land taken into trust.

Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act of 2025

Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act of 2025 This bill takes approximately 204.14 acres of specified lands in El Dorado County, California, into trust for the benefit of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians. The bill revokes a specified public land order and administratively transfers the land from the Forest Service to the Department of the Interior. (In the public land order, the land was designated for use by the Forest Service as an experiment station.) The bill directs Interior to take the following lands into trust for the benefit of the tribe: (1) approximately 85.3 acres of federal land managed by Interior's Bureau of Land Management (which includes the land transferred from the Forest Service), and (2) approximately 118.84 acres of fee land held by the tribe. These combined lands, approximately 204.14 acres, shall be part of the tribe's reservation. Further, the bill prohibits gaming on the land taken into trust.

To amend the Act of August 9, 1955 (commonly known as the “Long-Term Leasing Act”), to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land in the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation and land held in trust for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), and for other purposes

This bill authorizes the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) to lease their land held in trust for a term of up to 99 years. Both tribes are located in Massachusetts.

A bill to amend the Act of August 9, 1955 (commonly known as the "Long-Term Leasing Act"), to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land in the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation and land held in trust for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), and for other purposes.

This bill authorizes the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) to lease their land held in trust for a term of up to 99 years. Both tribes are located in Massachusetts.

Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act of 2025

Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act of 2025 This bill sets forth requirements for the processing of a proposed residential leasehold mortgage, business leasehold mortgage, land mortgage, or right-of-way document by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). The BIA must notify lenders upon receipt of such documentation, perform a preliminary review of such documents not later than 10 days after receipt, and approve or disapprove of such documents within 20 or 30 days, depending on the type of application. Additionally, the bill sets forth requirements for the BIA regarding (1) response times for the completion of certified title status reports, (2) notification of delays in processing, and (3) the form of notices and delivery of certain reports. The bill also provides relevant federal agencies and Indian tribes with read-only access to the Trust Asset and Accounting Management System maintained by the BIA. The Government Accountability Office must report on digitizing documents for the purpose of streamlining and expediting the completion of mortgage packages for residential mortgages on Indian land. Finally, the bill establishes within the BIA's Division of Real Estate Services the position of Realty Ombudsman.

Pechanga Band of Indians Water Rights Settlement Technical Amendments Act

This bill makes technical corrections to a previous agreement that settled water rights disputes for the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians, a Native American tribe in California. The changes are intended to clarify or fix minor issues in how that water rights settlement operates without fundamentally changing the agreement itself. The bill affects the tribe's access to water resources and how those rights are managed.

Western Tribal Water Act of 2026

The legislation would address water rights and water management issues for Native American tribes in western states, likely establishing new agreements or clarifying existing water allocations that tribes depend on for drinking water, agriculture, and other uses. The bill affects tribal governments, their members, and potentially state and federal water management agencies that work with tribes on shared water resources.

Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act

This legislation would settle long-standing water rights disputes for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians in California by establishing their legal entitlement to a specific amount of water from local sources. The agreement would help the tribe secure reliable water supplies for their reservation and community needs, potentially supporting economic development and improving living conditions for tribal members. The settlement likely involves negotiations between the tribe, state and federal water authorities, and other stakeholders who share water resources in the region.

Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Modernization Act of 2026

This bill would extend federal funding and programs that help Native American tribes build and maintain housing for their communities, as well as support tribal self-governance in housing decisions. The legislation renews a law from 1996 that provides grants and loans to tribes for constructing homes, improving existing housing, and managing their own housing programs. Native American families and tribes would benefit from continued access to these housing resources and the ability to control how they're used in their communities.

Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025

Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 This bill recognizes and settles certain water rights claims in Arizona of the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe. It also provides funding for a water pipeline and three settlement trust funds. Specifically, the bill authorizes, ratifies, and confirms a specified water rights settlement agreement entered into by the tribes, the United States, Arizona, and others, thus satisfying claims to water rights in Arizona (including with respect to the Little Colorado River and the Colorado River). Additionally, the bill outlines the water rights of the tribes. For example, the bill allocates and assigns Colorado River water from Arizona's share to the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe. The bill establishes and provides funding for an implementation fund account for the Bureau of Reclamation to plan, design, and construct a pipeline to deliver water to the tribes. Further, the bill establishes and provides funding for the Navajo Nation Water Settlement Trust Fund, the Hopi Tribe Water Settlement Trust Fund, and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe Water Settlement Trust Fund. The bill also establishes a reservation consisting of approximately 5,400 acres of land in Arizona and Utah for the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe by ratifying and confirming the treaty entered into by the Navajo Nation and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe. The bill outlines waivers, releases, and retention of claims by the tribes and the United States under the settlement agreement.

A bill to take certain land in the State of California into trust for the benefit of the Pechanga Band of Indians, and for other purposes.

This bill would transfer ownership of certain land in California to the federal government to be held in trust for the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, which would allow the tribe to have greater control over that land and potentially use it for tribal housing, economic development, or other community purposes. The change would affect the Pechanga tribe and potentially local governments in the area where the land is located, as trust land is generally exempt from state and local taxes and jurisdiction.

Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act of 2025

Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act of 2025 This bill specifies that the Indian Health Service (IHS) must reimburse patients for their out-of-pocket costs for authorized purchased/referred care services within 30 days. (The IHS provides medical and dental services directly to American Indian and Alaska Native patients whenever possible. However, when services are not available, IHS beneficiaries may be referred to private providers. This is called purchased/referred care.) Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish and implement procedures to allow a patient who paid out of pocket for purchased/referred care services authorized by the IHS to be reimbursed by the IHS for that payment no later than 30 days after the patient submits required documentation. Additionally, the bill requires HHS to update applicable provisions of and exhibits to the Indian Health Manual, contracts with providers, and other relevant documents and administrative authorities to incorporate the provisions of the bill. The bill also replaces statutory references to contract health service with purchased/referred care .

A bill to amend the Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act to modify a provision relating to the extension of certain dates for the completion of the Regional Water System, and for other purposes.

This bill would change deadlines in a long-running water rights settlement agreement involving Native American tribes in New Mexico, giving the parties more time to complete construction of a regional water system that serves both tribal and non-tribal communities. The modification would affect the Aamodt settlement, which has been resolving water disputes between the Tesuque Pueblo and other stakeholders for decades. The bill is currently under review by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

A bill to amend the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act to authorize grants to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations, and for other purposes.

This bill authorizes grants to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations for activities related to recreational travel and tourism. Specifically, the bill authorizes (1) the Bureau of Indian Affairs to make these grants to and enter into agreements with Indian tribes and tribal organizations; (2) the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations to make these grants to and enter into agreements with Native Hawaiian organizations; and (3) other federal agencies to make these grants to and enter into agreements with tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations.

Unlocking Native Lands and Opportunities for Commerce and Key Economic Developments Act of 2025

This bill would make it easier for Native American tribes and individuals to develop and lease their land for business purposes, potentially allowing more commercial projects on tribal lands. The changes could help Native communities generate income and economic growth, though they might also affect how tribes manage their natural resources and traditional lands. The bill has advanced through the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs with approval.

Veterinary Services to Improve Public Health in Rural Communities Act

Veterinary Services to Improve Public Health in Rural Communities Act This bill expands support for public health veterinary services (e.g., disease surveillance or vaccination) in tribal communities to address zoonotic infectious diseases (i.e., diseases that spread between humans and animals). Specifically, the bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Indian Health Service (IHS), to expend funds for public health veterinary services to prevent and control zoonotic disease infection and transmission in IHS areas where the risk for disease occurrence in humans and wildlife is endemic. HHS may assign or deploy veterinary public health officers from the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps to IHS areas. Additionally, HHS must submit a biennial report to Congress on the use of funds, the assignment and deployment of veterinary public health officers from the USPHS Commissioned Corps, data related to the monitoring and disease surveillance of zoonotic diseases, and related services. The bill also includes the IHS as a coordinating agency in the National One Health Framework. (This framework addresses zoonotic diseases and advances public health preparedness in the United States.) The bill requires the Department of Agriculture to conduct a feasibility study on the delivery of oral rabies vaccines to wildlife reservoir species that are connected to the transmission of rabies to tribal members living in Arctic regions of the United States. The study must (1) evaluate the efficacy of the oral rabies vaccines, and (2) make recommendations to improve the delivery of these vaccines.