New, Updates, and other actions:
 
New:
S.2468: SAFETY Act (Safe Academic Facilities and Environments for Tribal Youth) of 2016: The SAFETY Act would address several education-related facilities needs serving all Native students and teachers - including Impact Aid schools, Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), Department of Education, and Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools. The bill would require the Secretary of the Interior to carry out a 5-year demonstration program to provide grants to eligible Indian tribes for the construction of tribal schools, and for other purposes. Introduced by Senator Jon Tester on 01/27/2016. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
 
Updates:
H.R.387 & S.175:Economic Development Through Tribal Land Exchange Act: A Bill providing for the disposition of four parcels of land in California transferring lands to Morongo Band of Mission Indians. (Last Action: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 348 on 01/12/2016. Senate Report 114-204.   Senate Committee On Indian Affairs Order to be reported without amendment favorably on 10/21/15. Passed House 07/14/2015).
 
H.R.3477  & S.1579: NATIVE Act: To enhance and integrate Native American tourism, empower Native American communities, increase coordination and collaboration between Federal tourism assets, and expand heritage and cultural tourism opportunities in the United States. (Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 345 on 1/12/2016. Senate Report 114-201. Latest Action House: Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs 9/21/2015. Last Action Senate: Referred to Senate Committee on Indian Affairs 10/07/15).
 
S.209: Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act Amendments of 2015: Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to direct the Department of the Interior to provide Indian tribes with technical assistance in planning their energy resource development programs. (Last Action: has been incorporated into S.2012 the Energy Policy Modernization Act as an amendment. Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power on 12/18/15. Passed Senatewith an amendment by Unanimous Consent on 12/10/15. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar 9/30/2015 with report No.114-149). NCAI has been working on this bill and inclusion into S.2012 since July 2015. NOTE: Please read the Tribal position on this Bill in the NCAI 2015 Policy Update Briefing on page 12. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:  NCAI letter of support for S.209; NCAI letter of concern regarding Hydropower Provisions in S.2012; White House Statement on S.2012.
 
No New Action:
HR 3764: Tribal Recognition Act of 2015: This act would make it so that only an Act of Congress can designate an Indian tribe with Federal Acknowledgement. This would take the power away from the Secretary of the Department of the Interior. It also designates what entities are eligible for consideration, denying those Tribes that have petitioned for Federal Recognition previously. (No new action. Last Action: Subcommittee Hearings Held (Part II) held on 12/08/2015. Subcommittee Hearings held on 10/29/2015. Introduced: 10/20/15; Subcommittee Hearings were held on 10/20/15, 10/23/15, and 10/28/15). NOTE: this issue is of particular concern to Tribal Nations and NCAI has yet to put out a perspective on this bill, due to the fact that the Bill was introduced after the Annual Policy Update Briefing.  
 
S.2304: Tribal Early Childhood, Education and Related Services Integration Act of 2015: To provide for tribal demonstration projects for the integration of early childhood development, education, including Native language and culture, and related services, for evaluation of those demonstration projects, and for other purposes. (No new action. Last Action: Introduced, read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on 11/18/2015).
 
H.R.511 & S.248: Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2015: Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide that any enterprise or institution owned and operated by an Indian tribe and located on its lands is not considered an employer (thus excluding such enterprises or institutions from coverage by such Act). (No new action. Last Action: Passed the House on 11/17/2015.  Placed on the Union Calendar and H. Report 114-260 9/10/2015 | S. Report 114-140; Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar 9/10/2015).
 
H.R.3848: Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Reaffirmation Act:This bill reaffirms federal recognition and the rights and privileges of the Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians in Cheboygan County, Michigan. The band is eligible for all federal services and benefits available to other federally recognized Indian tribes. This bill designates the service area for the delivery of federal services to the band and to other Indians nearby. (No new action. Last Action: Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs for Committee Consideration on 10/30/15. Introduced and Referred to House Committee on Natural Resources on 10/28/15).
 
S.2205: Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts Act: This bill seeks to establish a grant program to assist tribal governments in establishing tribal healing to wellness courts, and for other purposes. (No new action. Last Action: Introduced, read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs on 10/22/15).
 
H.R.3599: Eastern Band Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act: To take certain Federal lands in Tennessee into trust for the benefit of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. (No new action. Last Action: Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs on 10/06/2015. Referred to House Committee on Natural Resources 9/24/14).
 
H.R.3487: Respect for Native Americans in Professional Sports Act of 2015: To make the antitrust laws applicable to professional sports leagues that use, or promote or allow member teams or franchisees to use the term “Redskins” or the term “Redskin.” (No new action. Last Action: Referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust law on 10/05/2015.  Introduced in the House 9/10/2015 and Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary).
 
H.R. 538: Native American  Energy Act:  Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to allow the Department of the Interior, an affected Indian tribe, or a certified third-party appraiser under contract with the Indian tribe to appraise Indian land or trust assets involved in a transaction requiring Interior approval. Deems an appraised approved if Interior fails to respond in 60 days. Gives tribes the option of waiving such appraisals. (No new action. Last Action: Senate: Read twice and referred to Senate Committee on Indian Affairs 10/19/15. Passed House on 10/08/15). NOTE: Please read the Tribal position on this Bill in the NCAI 2015 Policy Update Briefing on page 13.
  
H.R.872 & S.465: Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2015:  To extend Federal recognition to the Chickahominy Indian Tribe, the Chickahominy Indian Tribe—Eastern Division, the Upper Mattaponi Tribe, the Rappahannock Tribe, Inc., the Monacan Indian Nation, and the Nansemond Indian Tribe. (No new action. Last Action: Subcommittee Hearings Held, House Natural Resources Committee, 9/29/2015 | Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar 9/10/2015; Senate Report. 114-141).
 
H.R.286 & S.35: Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians Restoration Act of 2015. Extends federal recognition to the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana. Makes the Tribe and each member eligible for all services and benefits provided by the United States to Indians and federally recognized Indian tribes, without regard to the existence of a reservation for the Tribe or the location of the residence of any member on or near an Indian reservation. (No new action. Last Action House: Subcommittee Hearings Held, House Natural Resources Committee, 9/29/2015. Senate: S. Report 114-139 and Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar 9/10/2015).
 
S.1937 and H.R. 3502: Tribal Nutrition Improvement Act of 2015 : A bill to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to improve nutrition in Tribal areas and for other purposes. (No new action. Last Action: Passed House 10/22/15. Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the committee on Energy and Natural Resources on 10/26/15. Introduced in Senate and read twice then referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on 08/04/2015).
 
S.286: Department of the Interior Tribal Self Governance Act of 2015: Amends the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (the Act) to change the Department of the Interior's process for approving self-governance compacts and annual funding agreements with Indian tribes. Modifies Interior's process to make it similar to processes used by the Department of Health and Human Service's Indian Health Service. (No new action.  Passed Senate on 08/04/2015; Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs). NOTE: Please read the Tribal position on this Bill in the NCAI 2015 Policy Update Briefing on 46.
 
H.R. 3026: Tribal TANF Fairness Act of 2015: This bill amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to allow a tribal government (including one participating in an intertribal consortium) to lease land held in trust or in fee, at a fair market rate, for the administration of a tribal family assistance grant by the tribal government or the intertribal consortium. (No new action.  Last Action: Introduced 7/10/2015 Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means).
 
H.R.3166: Native American Suicide Prevention Act of 2015: To amend section 520E of the Public Health Service Act to require States and their designees receiving grants for development or implementation of statewide suicide early intervention and prevention strategies to consult with each Federally recognized Indian tribe, tribal organization, and urban Indian organization in a State. (No new action. Last Action: 7/22/2015: introduced and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce)
 
S.1771 & H.R. 3080: Tribal Employment and Jobs Protection Act: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exempt Indian tribal governments and other tribal entities from the employer health coverage mandate. (No new action. Last Action Senate: 7/15/2015: Read Twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Last House Action: 7/15/2015: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means).
 
H.R.360 & Bill S. 710: Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2015 (No new action. Last Action: Senator Barrasso from Senate Committee on Indian Affairs filed S. Report 114-117 on 08/5/2015;  3/24/15 Status: Passed House, received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs; 06/04/2015: Referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs pursuant to the order of May 27, 1988 for a period not to exceed 60 days).
 
H.R. 3043 & S. 1749: Tribal Tax Incentive for Renewable Energy Act of 2015: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow allocation of certain renewable energy tax credits to Indian tribes, and for other purposes. (No new action. Last Action: Passed House and received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs 07/14/2015).
 
H.R. 2174 & S.1163: Native American Languages Reauthorization Act of 2015: To amend the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to provide flexibility and reauthorization to ensure the survival and continuing vitality of Native American languages. (No new action. Last Action: Senate Committee of Indian Affairs hearingheld on 11/18/2015. House Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training on 11/16/2015. Introduced in House and Senate 4/30/2015) NOTE: Please read the Tribal position on this Bill in the NCAI 2015 Policy Update Briefing on 31.
 
S.Res. 62: A resolution designating the week beginning on February 8, 2015, as "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week" (Last action: 2/2/15 Status: passed senate).
 
H.R. 1168 &S. 184:  Native American Children’s Safety Act: Amends the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act to prohibit the final approval of any foster care placement or a foster care license from being issued until the tribal social services agency: (1) completes a criminal records check of each covered individual who resides in the household or is employed at the institution in which the foster care placement will be made, and (2) concludes that each of those individuals meets the tribe's standards established pursuant to this Act. Defines a "covered individual" as an adult and any other individual the tribe determines is subject to a criminal records check. (No new action. Last action: 6/2/15 Status: received in the Senate) House Report: 114-79 [no action since 6/02/2015] (last action 6/1/15 Status: Passed Senate) Senate Report: 114-37 NOTE: Please read the Tribal position on this Bill in the NCAI 2015 Policy Update Briefing on 37.
 
S.246: Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children Act: Establishes the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children in the Office of Tribal Justice of the Department of Justice. (No new action. Last action: 6/19/15 Status: Passed Senate and referred to the House Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs) Senate Report: 114-39[No Action] NOTE: Please read the Tribal position on this Bill in the NCAI 2015 Policy Update Briefing on 37.
 
LAW S.501(PL 114-255): New Mexico Navajo Water Settlement Technical Corrections Act: Amends the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to expand the current authorization for the construction or rehabilitation and operation and maintenance of conjunctive use wells in the San Juan River Basin, Little Colorado River Basin, and Rio Grande Basin in New Mexico to include the planning and design of those wells. Became Public Law 114-57 on 9/30/2015
 
State of Arizona:
 
House: Representative Hale bills introduced:
 
HB 2311: tribal colleges; expenditure limitation; exemption
Exempts community colleges that are owned, operated, or chartered by Indian tribes from expenditure limitations.
 
HB 2312: advisory council; Indian health care
Reorganizes the Arizona advisory council on Indian health care to add greater representation and to better serve the indigenous communities. (see companion bill in Senate SB1238).
 
HB 2313: Indian tribes; JTED expenses
Provides funding for the operation, maintenance, renewal and capital expenses of the Northeast Arizona Technological Institute of Vocational Education District, the only Joint Technical Education District in an Indian Nation. JTEDs provide career and technical education for native students.
 
HB 2314: appropriation; Navajo nation court complex
Allocates $7.5 million to help build a Supreme Court Complex on the Navajo Nation.  The entire construction project is expected to cost about $15 million, and the Navajo Nation is expected to contribute the other $7.5 million.
 
HB 2315: TPT; Indian tribes; motor vehicles
Allows enrolled members of Indian Nations to qualify for vehicle sales tax exemptions when they purchase a vehicle even if they reside within the boundaries of an Indian Nation where they are not enrolled.
 
HB 2316: appropriation; water projects; Navajo nation
Appropriates $3.4 million from the state general fund to the Navajo Nation for planning and developing water supply and infrastructure projects.  These projects are crucial to support community growth and economic development on Native American land.
 
HB 2317: state transportation board; tribal representation
Requires the State Transportation Board to include a representative from an Indian Nation. The board is responsible for planning for the transportation needs of the state. The population of the 22 federally recognized Indian nations in Arizona exceeds 250,000. These Indian nations have unique transportation needs that are not currently being met.
 
HB 2318: central Arizona project board; membership
Requires that the CAP board of directors include one non-voting member, who is a tribal elected official, to ensure Indian nations are included in discussions about CAP Colorado River water use. The member would be appointed by the governor and selected from a list of three nominees. The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona would be responsible for identifying two nominees, and the Navajo Nation would be responsible for the third nominee. These Indian nations should have a seat at the table for discussions regarding water availability and use.
 
HB 2319: Indian tribes; TPT revenues
Allocates Transaction Privilege Tax money, or sales tax, back to the Native American lands where it was collected. These funds would be used for infrastructure and community development, including telecommunication infrastructure development and roads on Indian reservations. Currently, TPT money is collected from businesses not owned by enrolled members operating on Native American lands. The tax money is distributed to the state, counties and municipalities incorporated under state law. Indian nations are not included in this distribution formula. Native American nations would be authorized to use the TPT money as collateral to fund projects.
 
HCM 2005: veterans’ homes; tribal lands 
Asks Congress to enact legislation that would allow construction reimbursement and per diem payments for veterans nursing care homes built on Native American nation lands. Current federal law provides for a 65 percent construction reimbursement and per diem payments to veterans nursing care homes built on land owned by states, territories or land the U.S. possesses. Veteran homes built on Native American nation lands are not eligible for the reimbursement and per diem payments.
 
Senate: Senator Begay bills introduced:
 
SB1224: Amending Indian Reservation Tobacco Tax. Arizona preempts the area of Indian reservation tobacco taxation. This bill would eliminate State, county, city, or town preemption.  It also leaves tribes open to imposing its own tobacco tax or a similar levy.
 
SB1237: Extending Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs sunshine date to July 1, 2024.  This legislation continues the Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs in order to assist and support Indians and tribal councils in this state, and to enhance government‑to‑government relations between the twenty‑one Arizona Indian tribes or nations and this state.
 
SB1238: Advisory Council; Indian Health Care. This bill expands on the old statute increasing the number of representatives from state tribes which was at 20 to 22 and also includes and appointment of a representative of the Intertribal Council of Arizona and one representative from an urban Indian health organization. (see companion bill in House HB2312)