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Bill114th CongressFiled Feb 5, 2015Native Americans
S. 383

Indian Trust Asset Reform Act

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Under committee review

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What it doesSummary reported to senate with amendment(s) (Feb 8, 2016)

Indian Trust Asset Reform Act

TITLE I--RECOGNITION OF TRUST RESPONSIBILITY

(Sec. 102) This bill reaffirms the federal government's fiduciary responsibilities to Indians.

TITLE II--INDIAN TRUST ASSET MANAGEMENT DEMONSTRATION PROJECT

Indian Trust Asset Management Demonstration Project Act of 2015

(Sec. 203) The Department of the Interior must establish an Indian trust asset management demonstration project that allows tribes to propose Indian trust asset management plans. To be approved by Interior, these plans must establish objectives and priorities for trust assets and allocate sufficient funding for asset management to meet the objectives and priorities.

(Sec. 205) Interior may approve a trust asset management plan that allows the Indian tribe to enter into, approve, and carry out a surface leasing transaction or forest land management activity without Interior's approval, under certain conditions.

The United States is not liable for losses that result from: (1) a forest land management activity or lease under a trust asset management plan, or (2) management standards under a trust asset management plan that are less-stringent than Interior otherwise requires.

TITLE III--IMPROVING EFFICIENCY AND STREAMLINING PROCESSES

(Sec. 303) Interior may establish an Under Secretary for Indian Affairs who is to report directly to the Secretary of the Interior and coordinate with the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians (OST) to ensure an orderly transition of the functions of the OST to an agency or bureau within Interior.

(Sec. 304) Interior must prepare a transition plan and timetable for the termination of the OST.

(Sec. 305) Appraisals and valuations of Indian trust property must be administered by a single administrative entity within Interior.

Interior must establish minimum qualifications for individuals to prepare appraisals and valuations of Indian trust property. An appraisal or valuation by a qualified person is considered final without being reviewed or approved by Interior.

(Sec. 306) Representatives of entities that advise Interior on Indian program budget or funding issues may make recommendations regarding the use of savings realized from the transfer of the functions of the OST.

What just happenedFeb 8, 2016

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 364.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID](R-ID)Sponsor
2 cosponsors1 D1 R
Read on Congress.gov
2cosponsors1committees6actions1related bills14subjects
  1. Feb 8, 2016Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 364.

  2. Feb 8, 2016Committee

    Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Barrasso with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 114-207.

    Indian Affairs Committee
  3. Feb 8, 2016Committee14000

    Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Barrasso with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 114-207.

    Indian Affairs Committee
  4. Jul 29, 2015Committee

    Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Indian Affairs Committee
  5. Feb 5, 2015IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

    Indian Affairs Committee
  6. Feb 5, 2015IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Reported to Senate with amendment(s)Feb 8, 20161

Indian Trust Asset Reform Act

TITLE I--RECOGNITION OF TRUST RESPONSIBILITY

(Sec. 102) This bill reaffirms the federal government's fiduciary responsibilities to Indians.

TITLE II--INDIAN TRUST ASSET MANAGEMENT DEMONSTRATION PROJECT

Indian Trust Asset Management Demonstration Project Act of 2015

(Sec. 203) The Department of the Interior must establish an Indian trust asset management demonstration project that allows tribes to propose Indian trust asset management plans. To be approved by Interior, these plans must establish objectives and priorities for trust assets and allocate sufficient funding for asset management to meet the objectives and priorities.

(Sec. 205) Interior may approve a trust asset management plan that allows the Indian tribe to enter into, approve, and carry out a surface leasing transaction or forest land management activity without Interior's approval, under certain conditions.

The United States is not liable for losses that result from: (1) a forest land management activity or lease under a trust asset management plan, or (2) management standards under a trust asset management plan that are less-stringent than Interior otherwise requires.

TITLE III--IMPROVING EFFICIENCY AND STREAMLINING PROCESSES

(Sec. 303) Interior may establish an Under Secretary for Indian Affairs who is to report directly to the Secretary of the Interior and coordinate with the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians (OST) to ensure an orderly transition of the functions of the OST to an agency or bureau within Interior.

(Sec. 304) Interior must prepare a transition plan and timetable for the termination of the OST.

(Sec. 305) Appraisals and valuations of Indian trust property must be administered by a single administrative entity within Interior.

Interior must establish minimum qualifications for individuals to prepare appraisals and valuations of Indian trust property. An appraisal or valuation by a qualified person is considered final without being reviewed or approved by Interior.

(Sec. 306) Representatives of entities that advise Interior on Indian program budget or funding issues may make recommendations regarding the use of savings realized from the transfer of the functions of the OST.

Introduced in SenateFeb 5, 2015

Indian Trust Asset Reform Act

Reaffirms the federal government's fiduciary responsibilities to Indians.

Indian Trust Asset Management Demonstration Project Act of 2015

Directs the Department of the Interior to establish a 10 year (but may be extended at Interior's discretion) Indian trust asset management demonstration project that allows Indian tribes to propose Indian trust asset management plans.

Authorizes Interior to establish an Under Secretary for Indian Affairs who is to: (1) report directly to the Secretary of the Interior; (2) assume the functions of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs; and (3) coordinate with the Special Trustee for American Indians to ensure an orderly transition of the functions of the Special Trustee to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, or to any other agency or bureau within Interior.

Requires Interior to prepare a transition plan and timetable for the termination of the Office of Special Trustee for American Indians.

Indian Trust Asset Reform Act — Informed