Today, the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs held a legislative hearing on four bills that would increase tribal law enforcement officer benefits, amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), establish a formal program at the Department of the Interior (DOI) to support tribal buffalo programs and place tribal land into trust. Subcommittee Chair Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) issued the following statement in response:

“The four bills considered by our committee today will ensure greater safety and further economic opportunity for tribal communities. As we saw in our previous oversight committee hearing, recruiting and retaining good law enforcement officers is a huge concern for tribal police departments. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their community, and we’ll continue to work towards that goal for all native communities. Everyone also deserves the opportunity for a thriving economy. By reducing federal burdens and clearing procedural roadblocks, we can aid these communities in having greater control over their futures.”

Background

Today's hearing focused on various bills that would address substantial challenges faced by tribal communities nationwide. These bills continue the committee's work this Congress to hear from local leaders on issues facing tribes and discuss substantive solutions. 

H.R. 4524, the Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), would authorize tribal law enforcement officers to be considered as federal law enforcement officers for the purposes of federal benefits and pensions, tort claim coverage, and penalties for crimes against tribal law enforcement officers, creating parity between federal and tribal law enforcement officers which can help with retention and recruitment of tribal law enforcement officers.

H.R. 4748, the Unrecognized Southeast Alaska Native Communities Recognition and Compensation Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola (D-Alaska), would amend the ANCSA to allow the Alaska Native communities of Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee, and Wrangell to form Alaska Native urban corporations in Southeast Alaska, and then allow each urban corporation to select one township of land within and near their historical, aboriginal lands in the Tongass National Forest to be owned in fee by the urban corporations.

H.R. 6368, the Indian Buffalo Management Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.), would establish a formal program within the DOI to support tribes and tribal organizations as they create and maintain their own American buffalo programs for the economic and spiritual benefit of American Indians and Alaska Natives.

H.R. 6443, the Jamul Indian Village Land Transfer Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), would place approximately 172.1 acres of fee simple land owned the Jamul Indian Village in San Diego County, Calif. into trust by the United States for the benefit of the tribe.