Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs: Bills - Analysis, 1970-1971

The bill H.R. 4353 introduced in the House of Representatives aims to provide for the disposition of funds appropriated to pay certain judgments in favor of the Iowa Tribes of Oklahoma and Kansas and Nebraska. The bill outlines how the funds will be divided between the tribes, how they can be invested or expended, and provisions for per capita distributions. The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to establish rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of the bill.

This bill, introduced in 1971, aims to provide for the distribution of funds appropriated to pay a judgment in favor of the Grand River Band of Ottawa Indians. It outlines eligibility requirements for individuals to receive funds, the process for enrollment, and the distribution of funds per capita. Additionally, it specifies that the distributed funds will not be subject to federal or state income tax and authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish rules and regulations for the implementation of the Act.

The text is a bill introduced by Mr. Aspinall in the House of Representatives in 1971 relating to Indian irrigation projects. The bill specifies that funds for construction or rehabilitation of such projects must be authorized by statute, and outlines requirements for authorization requests. It also limits appropriations for operation and maintenance of Indian irrigation projects and requires them to be assessed as reimbursable charges. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to submit recommendations for making some operation and maintenance costs nonreimbursable.

This bill, introduced by Mr. Aspinall in the House of Representatives, aims to amend the Act of July 1, 1932, regarding the cancellation of debts owed by Indians and Indian tribes. The proposed amendments involve deleting certain clauses related to the conditions under which debts may be canceled. The bill has been referred to the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs for further consideration.

This bill introduced in the House of Representatives aims to repeal a statute related to the supervision of various professions on Indian reservations. It also directs the Secretary of the Interior to submit recommendations for legislation transferring the responsibility for administering Federal services to Indian tribes.

This bill introduced by Mr. Steed in the House of Representatives aims to provide for the distribution of funds appropriated to pay judgments in favor of the Kickapoo Indians of Kansas and Oklahoma in specific Indian Claims Commission dockets. The funds will be divided based on the membership of the respective tribes as of the date of the Act, after deducting attorney fees and litigation expenses.

This bill aims to distribute funds appropriated to pay a judgment in favor of the Pembina Band of Chippewa Indians in Indian Claims Commission dockets numbered 18-A, 113, and 191. It outlines the process for determining eligible descendants, distributing funds to tribal groups, and ensuring tax-exempt status for funds distributed. The bill also authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish rules and regulations to implement the provisions of the act.

H.R. 10846 authorizes the division of a $15,700,000 judgment between three groups of Shoshone Indians, with specific allocations to each group and provisions for distribution. The bill also exempts per capita distributions from Federal and State income taxes and excludes them from consideration as income under the Social Security Act. An amendment was made to delete a provision regarding income for Social Security purposes to align with previous bills and recommendations from the Department of the Interior.

The text discusses a bill introduced in the House of Representatives to authorize the acquisition of a village site for the Payson Band of Yavapai-Apache Indians in Arizona. The bill outlines the process of selecting a suitable site, transferring the land to the band, and recognizing them as a tribe of Indians. The purpose of the bill is to relocate the band to a more suitable site within the Tonto National Forest. Amendments were made to the bill to convey the land to a membership corporation composed of band members and to reserve mineral rights to the United States.

The bill H.R. 8381 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to purchase, sell, and exchange lands on the Kalispel Indian Reservation. The bill outlines the process for acquiring and selling tribal lands, the approval process required, and the permitted uses of sale proceeds. Additionally, the bill allows for the mortgaging and leasing of tribal land. The Subcommittee amendment removed the authority to acquire and exchange lands as the tribe already has such authority.

The text is a bill introduced in Congress in 1971 to authorize the purchase, sale, and exchange of certain lands on the Kalispel Indian Reservation in Washington. The bill aims to consolidate land ownership for the Kalispel Indian Community, address issues of Indian heirship, and assist in the productive use of tribal lands. The Secretary of the Interior is given authority to carry out these actions in accordance with resolutions adopted by the tribe. The bill also addresses the use of funds from land sales, the encumbrance of tribal land, and amends existing legislation related to the Kalispel Indian Reservation.

This is a memorandum from Chairman Wayne N. Aspinall to all members of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, informing them that reports on several bills related to Native American tribes and lands are ready for filing and can be reviewed in the Committee office. The bills cover topics such as judgment funds, land grants, acquisition of village sites, longer term leases, irrigation projects, and grants for education.

H.R. 10352 is a bill introduced in the House of Representatives in 1971 to provide for the disposition of judgment funds for the Pueblo of Laguna in Indian Claims Commission docket numbered 227. The bill allows for the unexpended funds, with interest, to be used for any purpose approved by the tribal governing body and the Secretary of the Interior, with distributed funds exempt from federal and state income taxes. The Department recommends a technical amendment to ensure the funds remain tax-exempt when distributed.

The text discusses a bill introduced in the House of Representatives in 1971 to provide for the disposition of funds to pay a judgment in favor of the Yankton Sioux Tribe in an Indian Claims Commission docket. The bill outlines the distribution of funds, enrollment requirements, tax exemptions, and the role of the Secretary of the Interior in carrying out the provisions of the Act. Amendments were made to the bill, including changes to the withholding of funds and the preparation of a roll of eligible individuals. The Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs recommended the bill for passage with amendments.

H.R. 2185 is a bill introduced in the House of Representatives in 1971 to declare that 40 acres of federally owned land is held in trust for the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. The bill also allows the State of Wisconsin to continue using a fire observation tower on the land. The Indian Claims Commission is directed to consider the value of the land for set-off purposes in any future claims awards.

The text is a bill introduced in the House of Representatives in 1971 called the "Indian Financing Act of 1971". It aims to provide financing for the economic development of Indians and Indian organizations. The bill establishes an Indian Revolving Loan Fund to provide credit for individual Indian borrowers and Indian organizations. Loans can be made for various purposes, and terms and interest rates are determined by the Secretary of the Treasury. The bill also outlines provisions for repayment and administration of the fund.

H.R. 7701 is a bill introduced by Mr. Lujan in the House of Representatives in 1971 to authorize longer term leases of Indian lands located outside the boundaries of reservations in New Mexico. The bill seeks to amend the Act of August 9, 1955 to allow for 99-year leases on trust or restricted Indian lands in New Mexico. This change is necessary to allow for long-term development leases and to meet the requirements of lending institutions and insurance companies.

The text is a bill introduced in Congress to approve an order by the Secretary of the Interior cancelling irrigation charges against non-Indian-owned lands in the Modoc Point unit of the Klamath Indian irrigation project in Oregon. The bill outlines the reasons for the cancellation and the responsibilities of the Modoc Point Irrigation District in assuming future operation and maintenance of the irrigation system. The bill aims to relieve the federal government of administration costs and recommends its enactment.

H.R. 6291 was introduced in the House of Representatives in 1971 to provide for the distribution of funds from Indian Claims Commission dockets in favor of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. The bill authorizes a per capita distribution of the funds, exempts the payments from federal and state income taxes, and protects the interests of minors and incompetents. The Department recommends enacting the bill with amendments to distribute $950 per capita initially, with the remainder to be distributed later, and to recognize that funds have already been appropriated to satisfy one of the awards.

H.R. 9325 is a bill that divides a judgment between the Blackfeet Tribe and the Gros Ventre Tribe on a specific basis. The bill provides for per capita distributions of the funds and outlines how the money can be used by each tribe. The bill also exempts the per capita payments from taxes and public assistance eligibility considerations. Amendments were made to the bill by the Subcommittee to adjust the distribution of funds and how they can be used.