Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 09/14/2007 - Signed by President.

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A bill to provide greater transparency in the legislative process. 9/14/2007--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on July 31, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.)Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 - Title I: Closing the Revolving Door - (Sec. 101) Amends the federal criminal code to extend from one to two years the ban on lobbying contacts by former: (1) very senior executive personnel with any Member, officer, or employee of the entity in which such person served before his or her tenure terminated; and (2) Senators with any Member, officer or employee of either chamber, or employee of any other legislative office.Continues the one-year ban on lobbying contacts by former: (1) Members of the House of Representatives with any Member, officer, or employee of either chamber, or employee of any other legislative office; (2) [...]

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Latest Action: 05/08/2008 - Subcommittee Hearings Held.

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To provide compensation to the Lower Brule and Crow Creek Sioux Tribes of South Dakota for damage to tribal land caused by Pick-Sloan projects along the Missouri River. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Lower Brule and Crow Creek Tribal Compensation Act - Amends the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Infrastructure Development Trust Fund Act to increase the aggregate amount to be deposited into the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Infrastructure Development Trust Fund by the Secretary of the Treasury to provide compensation to the Lower Brule Tribe of South Dakota for damage to tribal land caused by Pick-Sloan projects along the Missouri River. Amends the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe Infrastructure Development Trust Fund Act of 1996 to increase the aggregate amount to be deposited into the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe Infrastructure Development Trust Fund by the Secretary to provide compensation to the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe of South Dakota for such damage. States that this Act shall be considered to be [...]

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Latest Action: 09/25/2008 - Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Dorgan without amendment. With written report No. 110-505.

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A bill to provide for compensation to the Lower Brule and Crow Creek Sioux Tribes of South Dakota for damage to tribal land caused by Pick-Sloan projects along the Missouri River. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Lower Brule and Crow Creek Tribal Compensation Act - Amends the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Infrastructure Development Trust Fund Act to increase the aggregate amount to be deposited into the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Infrastructure Development Trust Fund by the Secretary of the Treasury to provide compensation to the Lower Brule Tribe of South Dakota for damage to tribal land caused by Pick-Sloan projects along the Missouri River. Amends the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe Infrastructure Development Trust Fund Act of 1996 to increase the aggregate amount to be deposited into the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe Infrastructure Development Trust Fund by the Secretary to provide compensation to the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe of South Dakota for such damage. States that this Act shall be considered [...]

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Latest Action: 05/17/2007 - Conference papers: Senate report and manager's statement and message on House action held at the desk in Senate.

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An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2008 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2007 and 2009 through 2012. 5/16/2007--Conference report filed in House.    (There are 4 other summaries) Sets forth the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2008, including the appropriate budgetary levels for FY2007 and FY2009-FY2012. Title I: Recommended Levels and Amounts - (Sec. 101) Lists recommended budgetary levels and amounts, for FY2007-FY2012, with respect to: (1) federal revenues; (2) new budget authority; (3) budget outlays; (4) deficits; (5) debt subject to limit; and (6) debt held by the public. (Sec. 102) Lists the appropriate levels of new budget authority, outlays, and administrative expenses for Social Security and specified major functional categories for FY2007-FY2012. Title II: Budget Process [...]

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Latest Action: 01/08/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

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A bill to provide equitable treatment for the people of the Village Corporation established for the Native Village of Saxman, Alaska, and for other purposes.

1/8/2007--Introduced.

Declares that the Cape Fox Corporation (Cape Fox) of Saxman, Alaska, shall not be required to select or receive conveyance of specified unconveyed federal land.

Allows Cape Fox to select, and requires the Secretary of the Interior to convey, on receiving written notice of the selection, the approximately 99 acres of the surface estate of Tongass National Forest land located outside the exterior selection boundary of Cape Fox.

Requires the Secretary, on conveyance to Cape Fox of the surface estate to such land, to convey its subsurface estate to Sealaska Corporation.

Latest Action: 02/05/2008 - Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Dorgan without amendment. With written report No. 110-260.

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A bill to express the policy of the United States regarding the United States relationship with Native Hawaiians and to provide a process for the recognition by the United States of the Native Hawaiian governing entity. 2/5/2008--Reported to Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2007 - (Sec. 4) Reaffirms that: (1) the United States has a special political and legal relationship with Native Hawaiians; and (2) Native Hawaiians have the right to autonomy in their internal affairs, to self-determination and self-governance, to reorganize a Native Hawaiian governing entity, and to become economically self-sufficient.(Sec. 5) Establishes the U.S. Office for Native Hawaiian Relations within the Office of the Secretary of the Interior.(Sec.[...]

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Latest Action: 05/08/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

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To amend the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Equitable Compensation Act to provide compensation to members of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe for damage resulting from the Oahe Dam and Reservoir Project, and for other purposes. 5/7/2007--Passed House without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Equitable Compensation Amendments Act of 2007 - Amends the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Equitable Compensation Act to make member landowners eligible for the additional financial compensation provided to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe for the acquisition by the federal government of 104,492 acres of land of the Tribe and member landowners for the Oahe Dam and Reservoir project. Defines "member landowner" as a member of the Tribe (or an heir of such a member) that owned land on the Cheyenne [...]

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Latest Action: 07/10/2008 - Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Dorgan with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-415.

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A bill to approve the settlement of the water rights claims of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation in Nevada, to require the Secretary of the Interior to carry out the settlement, and for other purposes.

1/31/2007--Introduced.

Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of Duck Valley Water Rights Settlement Act - Approves, ratifies, and confirms, the agreement entitled the "Agreement to Establish the Relative Water Rights of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation and the Upstream Water Users, East Fork Owyhee River," except as specified in this Act.

Directs the Secretary of the Interior to hold tribal water rights in trust. Requires the Tribes to enact a water code to administer such rights.

Establishes the Shoneshone-Paiute Tribes Water Rights Development Fund and the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes Operation and Maintenance Fund.

Latest Action: 10/26/2007 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 449.

Bill Text
To express the policy of the United States regarding the United States relationship with Native Hawaiians and to provide a process for the recognition by the United States of the Native Hawaiian governing entity. 10/24/2007--Passed House without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2007 - (Sec. 4) Reaffirms that: (1) the United States has a special political and legal relationship with Native Hawaiians; and (2) Native Hawaiians have the right to autonomy in their internal affairs, to self-determination and self-governance, to reorganize a Native Hawaiian governing entity, and to become economically self-sufficient.(Sec. 5) Establishes the U.S. Office for Native Hawaiian Relations within the Office of the Secretary of the Interior.(Sec. 6) Establishes [...]

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Latest Action: 09/25/2008 - Committee on Indian Affairs. Date of scheduled consideration. SD-628. 2:15 p.m.

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A bill to expedite review of the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians of Michigan to secure a timely and just determination of whether the Bands are entitled to recognition as a Federal Indian tribe so that the Bands may receive eligible funds before the funds are no longer available.

3/29/2007--Introduced.

Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians of Michigan Referral Act - Provides for an expedited review of the petition of the Grand River Bands of the Ottawa Indians of Michigan for recognition as a federal Indian tribe.

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/05/2008 - Mr. Spratt brought up conference report H. Rept. 110-659 for consideration under the provisions of H. Res. 1214.

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An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2009 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2008 and 2010 through 2013. 5/20/2008--Conference report filed in House.    (There are 4 other summaries) Sets forth the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2009, including the appropriate budgetary levels for FY2008 and FY2010-FY2013. Title I: Recommended Levels and Amounts - (Sec. 101) Lists recommended budgetary levels and amounts, for FY2008-FY2013, with respect to: (1) federal revenues; (2) new budget authority; (3) budget outlays; (4) deficits (on-budget); (5) debt subject to limit; and (6) debt held by the public. (Sec. 102) Lists the appropriate levels of new budget authority, outlays, and administrative expenses for Social Security, U.S. Postal Service discretionary administrative expenses, and specified major functional [...]

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Latest Action: 05/14/2008 - Rule H. Res. 1190 passed House.

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Revising the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2008, establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2009, and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2010 through 2013. 3/13/2008--Passed House without amendment.    (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.) Revises and replaces the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2008. Sets forth the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2009, including the appropriate budgetary levels for FY2010-FY2013. Title I: Recommended Levels and Amounts - (Sec. 101) Recommends budgetary levels and amounts for FY2008-FY2013 for: (1) federal revenues; (2) new budget authority; (3) budget outlays; (4) deficits (on-budget); (5) debt subject to limit; [...]

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Latest Action: 02/12/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Bill Text
To amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to provide an equitable distribution of land to the 13th Alaska Native Regional Corporation. 2/12/2008--Introduced. 13th Regional Corporation Land Entitlement Act - Amends the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to set forth land selection rights of the 13th Regional Corporation. Authorizes the Corporation, within five years, to select up to 1,453,388 acres from specified public lands and directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the Corporation the surface and subsurface estate of no more than 1,162,710 acres of the lands selected. Prohibits any selection within the geographical region of any other Alaska Native Regional Corporation without such Regional Corporation's written approval. Sets forth: (1) limitations on lands that may be selected; (2) restrictions on rights, use, management, and sale of lands conveyed; and (3) requirements for timber and subsurface estate revenue sharing by the 13th Regional [...]

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Latest Action: 09/22/2008 - Received in the Senate.

Bill Text
To approve the settlement of the water rights claims of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation in Nevada, to require the Secretary of the Interior to carry out the settlement, and for other purposes. 2/7/2008--Introduced. Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of Duck Valley Reservation Water Rights Settlement Act - Approves, ratifies, and confirms, and directs the Secretary of the Interior to execute, the Agreement to Establish the Relative Water Rights of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation and the Upstream Water Users, East Fork Owyhee River, except as specified in this Act. Provides that: (1) this Act does not authorize the Tribes to use or authorize others to use tribal water rights off the Reservation other than for storage at Wild Horse Reservoir or on tribal land off the Reservation; (2) execution of such Agreement shall not constitute major federal action under the National Environmental Policy Act; and (3) this Act does not affect [...]

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Latest Action: 07/31/2008 - Became Public Law No: 110-297.

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To approve, ratify, and confirm the settlement agreement entered into to resolve claims by the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians relating to alleged interferences with the water resources of the Tribe, to authorize and direct the Secretary of the Interior to execute and perform the Settlement Agreement and related waivers, and for other purposes. 12/19/2007--Introduced. Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians Settlement Act - Approves, ratifies, and confirms the the Settlement Agreement dated June 7, 2006, between the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians (Tribe) and certain Water Districts relating to the water rights of such Tribe. Establishes in the Treasury: (1) the San Jacinto Basin Restoration Fund to pay costs associated with the construction, operation, and maintenance of the basin recharge project for accommodating supplemental imported water deliveries; and (2) the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians Water Development Fund for costs associated with constructing and maintaining water-related [...]

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Latest Action: 09/09/2008 - Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Dorgan without amendment. With written report No. 110-450.

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A bill to provide for equitable compensation to the Spokane Tribe of Indians of the Spokane Reservation for the use of tribal land for the production of hydropower by the Grand Coulee Dam, and for other purposes. 12/17/2007--Introduced. Spokane Tribe of Indians of the Spokane Reservation Grand Coulee Dam Equitable Compensation Settlement Act - Establishes in the Treasury the Spokane Tribe of Indians Settlement Fund. Requires the payment of compensation to the Spokane Business Council for the use of tribal lands for the generation of hydropower from the Grand Coulee Dam. Requires the use of such funds, in part, for a Cultural Resource Repository and Interpretive Center concerning the culture and history of the Spokane Tribe. Directs the Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration to make specified settlement payments to the Spokane Tribe. Allows payments made to the Spokane Business Council or Spokane Tribe to be used or invested by the [...]

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Latest Action: 04/04/2008 - Reported adversely by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 110-542, Part II.

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To provide for and approve the settlement of certain land claims of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. 4/4/2008--Reported to House without amendment, Part II.    (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on March 6, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.)Requires the Secretary of the Interior to take lands identified as alternative lands in the Settlement of Land Claim (the agreement between the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and the Governor of Michigan executed on December 30, 2002, including the document titled "Addendum to Settlement of Land Claim," executed on November 14, 2007) into trust for the benefit of the Tribe within 30 days after the Secretary has: (1) received a title insurance policy for the alternative lands that shows that such lands are not subject to mortgages, liens, deeds of trust, options to purchase, or other security [...]

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Latest Action: 12/21/2007 - Signed by President.

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To amend the Arizona Water Settlements Act to modify the requirements for the statement of findings.

12/21/2007--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Amends the Arizona Water Settlements Act to make the Southern Arizona Water Rights Settlement effective as of the date the Secretary of the Interior publishes in the Federal Register a statement of findings that specified conditions apply, including that the judgment and decree attached to the Tohono O'odham settlement agreement has been approved by the state court having jurisdiction over the Gila River adjudication proceedings. (Current law requires the judgment and decree to have become final and nonappealable.)

Latest Action: 06/05/2008 - Committee Hearings Held.

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To provide for the use and distribution of the funds awarded to the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe in Minnesota Chippewa Tribe v. United States, Docket Nos. 19 and 188, United States Court of Federal Claims. 9/27/2007--Introduced. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to distribute the funds awarded to the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe in Minnesota Chippewa Tribe v. United States, Docket Nos. 19 and 188 in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims together with all interest and investment income accrued on deposit in trust account JA1041696 in equal shares to each of the following constituent bands of the Tribe: (1) the Bois Forte Band; (2) the Fond du Lac Band; (3) the Grand Portage Band; (4) the Leech Lake Band; (5) the Mille Lacs Band; and (6) the White Earth Band. Requires that the shares of such Bands be made available for use in the manner determined by the governing body of each Band, except that at least 20% of such funds shall be set aside for social and economic development,[...]