Legislative Summary:

In summary, legislation regarding Native Americans put forth in the 114th Congress. These are updated monthly, with new bills added as they come online.

S.1937--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. (Last Action: 08/04/2015 Introduced and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry). 

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. (Last Action: 08/04/2015 Passed Senate; Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs )

H.R.511—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). (Last Action: 7/22/2015: introduced and Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote)

H.R.387--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: 07/14/2015: Passed House and received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs).

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. (Last Action: Introduced 7/10/2015 Refereed 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. (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. (Last Action Senate: 7/15/2015: Read Twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Last House Action: NO NEW ACTION 7/15/2015: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means).

H.R.360: Companion Bill S. 710 Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2015 (last action: 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. (Last Action: Passed House and received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on indian Affairs 07/14/2015).

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: Native American Children’s Safety Act (last action: 6/2/15 Status: received in the Senate) House Report: 114-79 [no action since 6/02/2015]

S. 184: Native American Children’s Safety Act (last action 6/1/15 Status: Passed Senate) Senate Report: 114-37 [No action]

S.246: Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children Act (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]

FCC ONAP Tribal Nation Training & Consultation Workshop

 FCC Tribal Broadband, Telecom, and Broadcast Training and Consultation Workshop

The American Indian Policy Institute is happy to be a parter in hosting the FCC’s Office of Native Affairs and Policy (ONAP), Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau Tribal regional workshops and consultation sessions.

This event will be conducted at the ASU SkySong Innovation Center, 1475 N. Scottsdale Road, in Scottsdale, Arizona, on September 1-3, 2015.  

These workshops are aimed at training and assisting Tribal Nations in developing more robust broadband, telecommunications, and broadcast infrastructure to serve those living on Tribal lands. 

This two and a half day program will involve full-day sessions covering a wide range of important federal programs and policies that support the deployment of communications infrastructures in the communities of Tribal Nations. 

These infrastructures support Tribal economic development, Tribal schools and libraries, low-income families, and health care clinics, as well as Tribal radio stations, public safety departments, and Tribal government administrations.  

In addition, the FCC’s Native Learning Lab (Lab) will be open throughout the event.  The Lab is an on-site computer based mobile resource lab designed to support the event’s learning and consultation needs.  The Lab provides small group or individual hands-on assistance with FCC web-based systems, as well as the opportunity for specific training session.

Registration is Open!

Tribal Financial Manager Certificate Program - Fall 2015 Cohort 

Wednesday, November 04, 2015 8:00 AM -Friday, November 06, 2015 5:00 PM

Registration is open now; register here. 

The ASU American Indian Policy Institute (AIPI) & Native American Finance Officers Association (NAFOA) are excited to announce the upcoming Tribal Financial Manager Certificate Program, to be held November 4-6, 2015 at Arizona State University. This professional certificate program for tribal government financial management professionals provides an in-depth background in tribal government finance, Indian law, taxation, and economic development. Attendees can earn up to 20 CPE credits.  

Tribal Financial Manager Certificate Program Features: 

• Principles of federal Indian law and its effect on tribal financial management
• Government accounting standards and principles
• Compliance with the new OMB Uniform Guidance
• Self-determination, self-governance, financial compliance, and record keeping
• Effects of federal, state, and tribal taxation on tribal financial management, including development of a revenue allocation plan
• Best practices for internal controls and procurement policies
• Key tools for developing and managing budgets
• Emerging financial issues in Indian Country

Please do not hesitate to call the American Indian Policy Institute at (480) 965-1055 or email with any questions. Please feel free to share this information.

Upcoming Events in Indian Country 

FCC Office of Native Affairs & Policy Training & Consultation Workshop | September 1-3, 2015 | ASU Skysong Phoenix, AZ

International Conference of Indigenous Archives, Libraries, and Museums  | September 9-15, 2015 | Washington DC

Native American Finance Officers Association Annual Fall Conference | September 14-15, 2015 | Boston, MA

20th Annual First Nations L.E.A.D. Institute Conference | September 22-24, 2015 | Santa Fe, NM 

Navajo Nation Government Reform Listening Session for ASU Students | September 24, 2015 | Tempe, AZ

National Indian Education Association Convention | October 14-17 | Portland, OR 

National Congress of American Indians 72nd Annual Convention | October 18-23 | San Diego, CA 

Partnership for Progress on the Digital Divide International Conference | October 21-22, 2015 | Phoenix, AZ 

Tribal Financial Managers Certification Program Fall 2015 Cohort | November 1-3, 2015 | Tempe, AZ

Reservation Economic Summit New Mexico NCAIED | November 16-19, 2015 | Santa Fe, NM

American Indian Science & Engineering Society National Conference | November 19-21 | Phoenix, AZ