Utah House passes revised Indian Affairs Act after contentious floor debate and reconsideration

The Utah House passed House Bill 394, the Indian Affairs Act, after a heated floor debate, multiple amendment votes and a successful motion to reconsider that produced a final tally of 49-22 in favor.

Representative Dan Price moved to reconsider the House’s earlier action on HB 394 and place the measure at the top of the third-reading calendar; the motion carried and the House returned to debate. Sponsor Representative Adams told colleagues the bill was put forward at the governor’s request to "reach out and include all of the Indian tribes" in state affairs and to protect the "integrity of the Navajo Trust Fund investment." He urged members that a "yes" vote would bring more tribal voices into state-level decision-making.

Opponents on the floor repeatedly raised concerns about tribal input and jurisdiction. Representative Beverly Evans, speaking in opposition, said the bill "has not had any public hearing" and urged sending the measure to an interim study so tribal leaders could review provisions and the auditor’s office could complete an audit of the Navajo Trust Fund. Evans said the Ute tribal business committee she represents "totally rejected this bill" and highlighted unresolved issues about representation and cross‑boundary chapters.

Representative Adams and other supporters said they had received resolutions and letters from some chapter houses and tribal officials expressing support; Adams cited a letter from William Nakai at Window Rock as evidence of Navajo backing while acknowledging that some urban coalitions and splinter groups remained opposed.

Lawmakers debated a sequence of pink‑sheet amendments dealing with who may serve on boards and whether appointees could be "or designee." Some amendment motions failed on voice votes; others were adopted. An early recorded tally on the day initially showed 29 affirmative and 41 negative votes, and the clerk announced the bill would be filed. After the motion to reconsider and renewed floor debate, the House voted again and approved the bill as amended by a 49-22 vote.

The House record shows the bill passed and will be forwarded for further consideration consistent with the Legislature’s procedural path. The transcript records repeated calls from members asking for more tribal consultation and for the auditor’s review before sweeping changes to how trust funds are administered.

What happens next: HB 394, as passed by the House, will proceed in the legislative process for further consideration; proponents say the measure creates a forum to include more tribes in state Indian affairs, while opponents continue to press for additional study of trust-fund administration and clearer guarantees of tribal input.