[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6232654,"mediaKeyId","3425912-4711bccf4eba4e39e24f878e93df54d0","parentId",3425912,"title","Shivwits Band urges Congress to restore jurisdictional clarity, allow longer leases for economic development","audioSeconds",1358,"startMs",1108000,"endMs",2466000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425912-4711bccf4eba4e39e24f878e93df54d0&start=1108&end=2466","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425912-4711bccf4eba4e39e24f878e93df54d0/thumbnail_1108000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6232654/Shivwits-Band-urges-Congress-to-restore-jurisdictional-clarity-allow-longer-leases-for-economic-development","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232654-d786c1df88158d9abb44e0917b1ff7b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770431991&Signature=H~Q7ss8PnxlZe4JnhwF8ov2P3DGGj-tudaov9AnEPcH9yeP2xx~C43CJjjNIQiX9KGlWMnL-UuYEQBDef2qlkx6aZGESgtpDSWOSad9c2r7kpsPPSIjDNPF5L-dvSfs~rM3t3oO546ysT1d5q1IPnr06kMhC~JYEdybzZQeG3-moOFEFCpCF80XgD6s7dpQrv9eaRHZ3MK7mGkp1IkNwWuxh1zViYm5UhZucEzO0V506tJZFL5MMkS6xsJGv0rNjI0DKIg1KiG8Ap8taeEPHiSb4xruB118wng--gKbT7ft-ZG9g4TwCa9mNE2NYB0UkQGzavDm0HWkh09HJU9Y8~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources","date","2025-05-21T16:30:54.93Z","article","Representative (Ms.) Malloy introduced HR 3073, the Shivwits Band of Paiutes Jurisdictional Clarity Act, saying the bill responds to a Tenth Circuit decision that has created uncertainty about whether tribes may consent to state-court jurisdiction for contract disputes on Indian lands.

\"The legislation addresses an urgent issue created by a recent decision from the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals,\" Representative Malloy said, explaining that the court's ruling imposed procedural requirements — including congressional authorization among other barriers — that make it difficult for tribes to rely on state courts in commercial agreements. \"These requirements include congressional authorization, a waiver of sovereign immunity, tribal court resolution, and other bureaucratic obstacles that make it nearly impossible for a tribe to engage in business agreements that require state court oversight,\" Malloy said.

Chairwoman Tina Gonzales of the Shivwits Band of Paiutes described the practical effect: investors have withdrawn or refused projects because they cannot obtain the lease terms or jurisdictional assurances they need. She cited lost opportunities including a solar project and proposals for a medical center and other commercial developments. Gonzales said HR 3073 would confirm the band's sovereign immunity remains intact while allowing the band to waive immunity in specific contracts and to lease trust land for up to 99 years under an amendment to the Long Term Leasing Act.

\"Without changes, the Shivwits Band will be unable to take advantage of current and future development opportunities,\" Gonzales said, adding that the band seeks long-term stability for housing, jobs and tribal scholarship programs.

Members questioned how the bill protects sovereignty while providing forum certainty and how it would affect long-term leases. Witnesses and members agreed the bill is intended to place the Shivwits Band on parity with tribes that already negotiate extended lease terms and to reduce investment risk caused by the Lawrence decision in the Tenth Circuit (2022), which witnesses said limited state-court jurisdiction even when tribes attempted to waive immunity.

No committee vote was taken; members requested additional written materials to the hearing record.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Legislative Hearing | Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee","oneSentenceSummary","Witnesses and lawmakers described HR 3073, which would affirm Utah state-court jurisdiction over civil cases involving the Shivwits Band on tribal trust land and permit longer leases to support investment. Tribal leaders said recent court rulings have deterred outside investors and stalled projects.","taxTitle","Natural Resources: House Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1983,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6232660,"Alaska Native corporation urges Congress to finish ANCSA entitlement via land exchange",1911,1070000,2981000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425912-4711bccf4eba4e39e24f878e93df54d0&start=1070&end=2981","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425912-4711bccf4eba4e39e24f878e93df54d0/thumbnail_1070000.jpg","/articles/6232660/Alaska-Native-corporation-urges-Congress-to-finish-ANCSA-entitlement-via-land-exchange","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232660-7ed99b53c526921859a34f6a139350a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770431991&Signature=YMW8KINaufpMMWvDsjmus5TnpHrzrqIMb3IE53waW2HD6jT20OZ4HifZWjU0mjYZRnekfeOl8~~1ZgZfxnvKqR0ClQogYfMpS4iBA5wnJXSnWtr8YhNB6FIZpRweBAy~MHxX957lcxqGEPqI3FSGdvg4lAbTNi3zaVNK4tYc5H9kGkGeeSZXTGx-UDhLTC5DsQA~pw0MuTAM9kExEO2KwsQY9cvI7ZFow544ZsY3bawygDW-0anXPI4JL~TudHlssPHSJPSSmVJ8HYU3geiBrms255X5B3VQ0Czu2PN~ecnZq~BJNnYqGjm5u8ygQ0cdPeHclxCxxs1jV-YPqMihyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Nick Begich introduced HR 2815, the Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act of 2025, saying that the bill would authorize a land exchange with the U.S. Forest Service to convey acreage that would connect existing Cape Fox parcels and enable development.

\"Land is at the heart of Alaska's future,\" Begich said. He and Vice President Thomas (Tom) Harris of Cape Fox Corporation described long-standing conveyance obstacles under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and noted that Cape Fox is the only Southeast Alaska village corporation among 13 villages that has not completed its ANCSA settlement.

Begich and Harris said the Bureau of Land Management identified approximately 184.57 acres in the core township and that Cape Fox had identified about 180 acres of alternative land. Testimony also referred to an \"80-acre\" tract in later exchanges; witnesses described differing acre figures when discussing the proposed conveyance and alternatives. The bill would, according to witnesses, provide an access corridor to support a Mahoney Lake hydropower project and improve connections between existing Cape Fox tracts, helping stabilize the local electric grid and support tourism and subsistence access.

Harris said the BLM had previously required Cape Fox to select parcels with little economic value or access, and that HR 2815 would allow a conveyance that makes the corporation's settlement compact and contiguous. Supporters argued the exchange would honor ANCSA's intent to provide usable settlement lands and enable local economic development.

Members questioned how the access corridor could be used for roadways, utilities and a small hydropower project; Harris replied that the conveyance would facilitate a transportation and power corridor to connect Mahoney Lake with the Beaver Falls power grid and support a planned 9-megawatt small hydro installation and longer-term energy projects.

The subcommittee did not vote on the bill during the hearing. Witnesses and staff agreed to supply additional information to the record if requested.

","Cape Fox Corporation and Rep. Nick Begich told a House subcommittee HR 2815 would finalize Cape Fox's ANCSA entitlement by authorizing a land exchange to connect existing parcels and support a hydropower project and other development in Ketchikan, Alaska.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6232665,"Lower Elwha Klallam leaders, lawmakers push bill to transfer park lands into tribal trust",2185,1025000,3210000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425912-4711bccf4eba4e39e24f878e93df54d0&start=1025&end=3210","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425912-4711bccf4eba4e39e24f878e93df54d0/thumbnail_1025000.jpg","/articles/6232665/Lower-Elwha-Klallam-leaders-lawmakers-push-bill-to-transfer-park-lands-into-tribal-trust","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232665-da872ce1d4f7398e6387887a4ad1724e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770431991&Signature=DULrFLuXvWkzHQUuovl6Pd54JTvT-svZkyn2Y5u5m1SkBXnaN29cV3I46v~6lWtbh6sck4hh4SVfqOdtUzdBtPn-7fQz3KQn74cjuhQFxusSSRMuT6L6fFyVABAnI2NFBEU0Ni0wrBjpUhPv4u0NLQ4FqwuYwCktTz4-AkprjeiDnV1Is8~gs8HuLQlENi191txThknjkvb437~RSk5LyT6Sn2fCD5hKuAP3zvX6Uxua~7BLCHi9SYH2Zfj~PqvS1S3aqjMI2Jwcw5Miy7ogOei9sXTTB~xzFzLFSMXCKD7WUweE7gYbfHKlu~2ur6Bp2kislUu24RVT1JJeNr~5bQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Carolyn B. Maloney? (note: transcript identifies as \"Ms. Randall\" — see speakers) and other members introduced HR 2388, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act, which would place approximately 1,100 acres of National Park Service land into trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe.

\"The Elwha River is our lifeblood,\" Chairwoman Francis Charles said in testimony. She described the cultural, ceremonial and ecological importance of lands inundated by the Elwha Dam and the tribe's long campaign for dam removal and restoration. Chairwoman Charles said the tribe has been actively involved in river restoration since the passage of the Elwha River Ecosystem and Fisheries Restoration Act in 1992 and the dam removals completed by 2014.

Charles told the subcommittee the tribe seeks stewardship over ancestral sites and to continue restoration work for salmon fisheries. She said the tribe has received letters of support from the Makah Tribe, the City of Port Angeles and the Washington State Department of Transportation and that section 3 of the bill includes language to protect treaty rights and accommodate sister tribes' interests.

Representative Kim Schrier? (transcript lists Representative Randall) praised Chairwoman Charles's leadership and said the transfer would \"protect sacred and cultural lands, continue restoration efforts for the ecosystem and help address a decade long battle\" tied to the dam removals.

Committee members asked about ongoing restoration activities and the relationship between land stewardship and tribal sovereignty. Chairwoman Charles described interagency work with the National Park Service and NOAA Fisheries and explained that trust transfer would allow the tribe to manage cultural sites and fisheries restoration directly.

A letter of support from the National Parks Conservation Association was entered into the record by unanimous consent. The subcommittee took no final action; members asked witnesses to submit additional written information to the record.

","Witnesses and members testified in support of HR 2388 to transfer about 1,100 acres of National Park Service land into trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe to support cultural stewardship and ecosystem restoration after dam removals.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6232670,"House hearing spotlights bill to set deadlines for Bureau of Indian Affairs mortgage reviews",2583,955000,3538000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425912-4711bccf4eba4e39e24f878e93df54d0&start=955&end=3538","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425912-4711bccf4eba4e39e24f878e93df54d0/thumbnail_955000.jpg","/articles/6232670/House-hearing-spotlights-bill-to-set-deadlines-for-Bureau-of-Indian-Affairs-mortgage-reviews","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232670-6c26ea2ace7d51538055c90354dd9577/orig.mp4?Expires=1770431991&Signature=ZLV2UOvq2BcpBP0c-yzEh3qYi7fTb8tXRRW7bqpzzjmaAPFkQxUcjoRVi8sGb4jw5zz7UMos0ZRdAr1QCQ1BeDalxIizyy0FehbNN4Dy-~PDuj7oeqPnB2HmaVhTM~n~LPOH9uZmslTK3Sbs4xlIVTXiUF6vUz2Tnk1EXcqdeKhw1b3Qg~-sxIuXkikb38fEyLpPFamg~OchD0fBzgjc0CsllR0gQgIf5ZfpcP2DzYe7q7kKirPzB1GSgrVWKma0fBRnMQEMGkW-SnhshovQw7ju~VVfPl3IR93a4SNN55fDsxqT28IS3mIR-kyO~U7dtzlhJ4i5Tkv~a-GerfmZ7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Dusty Johnson opened the hearing by introducing HR 2130, the Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act of 2025, which would require the Bureau of Indian Affairs to process residential and business mortgage packages on Indian trust land within specified timeframes and adopt private-sector standards for review.

The bill \"would establish private industry aligned standards for the review and approval of trust land mortgages,\" Representative Johnson said, noting that \"the current private industry standard for processing a mortgage package is within 1 month.\" He said the measure aims to replicate that timeline in the BIA.

Eric Shepherd, executive director of the Sisseton Wahpeton Housing Authority and vice chair of the South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition, testified that processing delays at the BIA range from months to years and that the bill would modernize and streamline BIA systems. \"Often homebuyers on trust land ... feel like their mortgage packages fall into a black hole somewhere within the depths of the BIA,\" Shepherd said. He told the subcommittee that the BIA's title status reports (TSRs) can take anywhere from three months to up to five years to produce and that some tribes experience delays of up to 365 days.

HR 2130 would establish timelines for processing leasehold mortgages, right-of-way documents, land mortgages and TSRs; require read-only access to the BIA's land management database (TAMs) for tribes and federal agencies; mandate a study on digitization costs; and create a realty ombudsman to report to the Interior Department supervising official, proponents said. Shepherd said the ombudsman should have authority to act on compliance questions.

Committee members pushed for specifics on where delays occur and pressed witnesses about whether staffing and transparency are the underlying causes. Shepherd said that while some regional offices are responsive, many smaller or remote tribes lack consistent access and information and that the bill's timelines would help create accountability.

The hearing record will include additional statements from the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department of Agriculture entered by unanimous consent. The committee took no final votes on HR 2130 during the hearing; members asked witnesses to supply further written responses to follow-up questions.

","A House Natural Resources subcommittee hearing examined HR 2130, which would set timeframes and oversight for Bureau of Indian Affairs mortgage processing on Indian trust land, and heard testimony on long delays that advocates say block homeownership in Indian country.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Shivwits Band urges Congress to restore jurisdictional clarity, allow longer leases for economic development

Alaska Native corporation urges Congress to finish ANCSA entitlement via land exchange

Lower Elwha Klallam leaders, lawmakers push bill to transfer park lands into tribal trust

House hearing spotlights bill to set deadlines for Bureau of Indian Affairs mortgage reviews