Senate Committee on Indian Affairs to Hold Business Meeting & Oversight Hearing on the Tribal Law and Order Act

WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 2:15 PM EST, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA)will hold a business meeting to consider two bills: S.1879 and S.1125. The Interior Improvement Act, S.1879,dramatically improves the Department of the Interior trust land acquisition process for Indian tribes. In addition to codifying and streamlining portions of that process, this bill restores the Secretary of the Interior’s authority to take land into trust for all federally recognized tribes and reaffirms the status of Indian lands already taken into trust. S. 1879 was introduced by committee chairman John Barrasso (R-WY) in July.

The committee will also consider S. 1125, the Blackfeet Water Rights Settlement Act of 2015. The bill was introduced by committee vice-chairman Jon Tester (D-MT) and Senator Steve Daines (R-MT).

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