Senate Passes Bill to Improve Indian Employment and Training

The Senate on Friday passed three bills to improve living conditions for tribes throughout Indian country. Two of them benefit tribes in Oregon and one strengthens and reforms Public Law 102-477 (also known as the 477 program), a comprehensive Native employment and training program.

S.1443, also known as the Indian Employment, Training and Related Services Consolidation Act of 2015, was introduced by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and was unanimously approved by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on October 21, 2015.

The bill was unanimously passed by the Senate and will make the 477 program permanent, while expanding the types of sources of funding available, resolve plan approval and appeal processes, and ensure that funds will be transferred and require only one report. Companion legislation has been introduced by Congressman Don Young in the House of Representatives – where the bill now goes before reaching the President.

Read more at http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2016/07/16/senate-passes-bill-improve-indian-employment-and-training-165167