▶ 0:39:55>> committee will come to order. We are here to consider one bill. S 3383, unlocking native lands and opportunities for commerce and key economic developments act of 2020 five. This is old business from the last congress, it has had a hearing at a markup and was passed by the full senate. We introduced this bill to give all tribes 99 your leasing authority for their trust lands.
▶ 0:40:19In today's economy, a 50 year is often not long enough to secure financing for major infrastructure and economic development projects. It also doesn't make sense for congress to keep passing separate stand-alone bills for individual tribes. We've already done that for about 60 tribes. Later today, we will hear bills that will extend this authority to even more. Lease terms aren't the only obstacle. Many projects are delayed by lengthy bia approvals for right-of-way, essential to development.
▶ 0:40:49The unlock act addresses this barrier by authorizing a self-determination process modeled after the hearth act for tribal leasing regulations. It will allow tribes to move forward more efficiently. This is a good bill. I'm pleased I'm able to cosponsor it with you. I look forward to seeing it enacted so all tribes can fully take advantage of the opportunities available now and into the to the vice chairman fr his opening statement.
▶ 0:41:16>> in the interest of time I will wave my opening statement and insert it into the record. >> we do not have a quorum present at the moment -- >> yes we do -- >> we have a quorum present, so we can move forward.
▶ 0:41:36I now call up agenda item one, s 33 83, unlocking native lands and opportunities for commerce and key and economic developments. Agreed to agenda item, s 3383. All those in favor say aye. Any opposed essay nay. Atyes appears to have it, and that concludes our business. Thank you for getting the business of the committee completed.
▶ 0:42:49Now we move to the legislative hearing. We are here to receive testimony on four bills before the committee. The first, s. 200 36 sponsored by senator markey would authorize 99 your leasing authority for the mashpee wampanoag tribe. And the gay head tribe. The only federal recognized tribes in massachusetts. Providing for the long term authority ensuring purity and allowing for longer lease terms that can spur economic development.
▶ 0:43:21Congress has enacted similar leasing authority from any other federally recognized tribes. The second bill, s. 1508, the expand clarity act, -- shivwits bando paiutes jurisdiction over civil actions arising on indian lands.
▶ 0:43:43This legislative fix would help ensure the band can fully engage in economic development in its land, including for what judicial forms are available when entering into contracts with third parties. The bill also amends the long term leasing act to authorize leases of up to 99 years on land held in trust for the band. Next, s.
▶ 0:44:031513, the lower elwha klallam tribe restoration act sponsored by senator cantwell would place approximately 1082.36 acres on the olympic peninsula in the state of washington into trust for the elwha klallam tribe and designate it as part of its reservation. The land is currently managed by the national park service.
▶ 0:44:31It also prohibits gaming on the transferred land. This transfer represents the final phase of the representation -- restoration of the elwha river and would return stewardship and homelands to the tribe. Finally, s. 27 35, the shingle springs band of miwok indians land transfer act of 2025 sponsored by senator padilla would place two parcels of land in el dorado county, california, totaling approximately 200 625 acres into trust for the shingle springs band of miwok indians.
▶ 0:45:05One parcel, approximately 80 acres, is sponsored by the bureau of land management. 185 acres of land already owned by the tribe. The land would become part of the tribe's reservation and gaming would be prohibited. The tribe intends to use the land to provide much needed housing for tribal members as is is it -- its existing 160 acre reservation is fully developed and landlocked by surrounding private development. I want to thank the witnesses for being here today.
▶ 0:45:31It is never easy traveling to washington, D.C., but we appreciate your time and advocacy and I look forward to your testimony. I will introduce the witnesses that we have. First, we have missed trina locke, the director for the environmental resources office of trust services bureau of indian affairs in washington, D.C. welcome.
▶ 0:45:57We also have the honorable brian weeden, the chairman of the mas hpee wampanoag tribe in massachusetts. We have tina gonzalez, chairman of the shivwits band of paiutes in montana. I will have senator cantwell introduce our next witness, the honorable francis charles.
▶ 0:46:23But before I do so, I want to acknowledge the honorable regina, the chairwoman at shingle springs band of miwok indians in california. If you can introduce your witness. >> thank you, madam chair and chair murkowski, and vice chair schatz for holding this hearing.
▶ 0:46:47I want to thank all of them, especially chairwoman francis charles of the lower elwha klallam tribe. I reference your comments about traveling far, I'm not sure you can get much farther in the continental U.S. than where french is charles hails from. Thank you for flying across the country, particularly when our state is in a massive state of emergency, to be here with us and to communicate. You have been chair and served on the council since 1993.
▶ 0:47:16A long time steward of our lands. As a councilmember and chairwoman, she has been on the ground and directly involved in the restoration of the elhwa river since congress first authorized the remover of the elwha dam. I want to thank her for her work over the years. Earlier this year, I introduced s.
▶ 0:47:371513, the lower elwha klallam tribe project lanes restoration act along with senator murray and our colleague from the house, emily randall. This bill would transfer over 1000 acres of elwha river land managed by the park service and the bureau of indian affairs to be held in trust for the lower elwha column tribe.
▶ 0:48:02They are on the boundaries of olympic national park and were originally acquired by the park for the purpose of removing the dams along the river. When chairwoman charles and her leadership of extensive planning and engineering and the legislation that was passed here, the largest dam removal project in U.S. history took place from 2011 2014. Opening up more than 70 miles of salmon habitat.
▶ 0:48:33The department of and your acquired an additional parcels for water infrastructure to support the tribe's new fish hatchery and the house of -- included in this transfer. Since the tribe has remained steadfast, a great steward of these lands, now it is time to return them to the lower elwha klallam tribe.
▶ 0:48:52It would boost habitat restoration led by the lower elwha klallam tribe and federal agencies and aid in the recovery of five species of pacific salmon, other native fish, including chinook, pink, sockeye, steelhead, bull trout, transferring the land back to the tribe would preserve and enhance their culture and natural resources along the river and passing the bill would also be an important action for the tribe in the long efforts to restore the elwha, salmon, and
▶ 0:49:24Tribal ancestral grounds. I appreciate the chairwoman for her longtime leadership in the region. Including chairwoman charles and I first got very acquainted when an unfortunate dot project was planned right on top of their tribal burial grounds.
▶ 0:49:42What was discovered by the tribe was this is a 3000-year-old ancient community, and smartly, we all decided to vacate and let them deal with the reparations of their own people and the historic value of that land. That was incredible leadership by her. This is another incredible leadership, really hard to do these kinds of things. But the elwha dam and salmon recovery is paying dividends.
▶ 0:50:10We appreciate her being here and consideration of the legislation. >> thank you, senator cantwell. I remind our witnesses that we have your full written testimony. It will be part of the official hearing record. We are going to ask you to try to keep your comments brief. You have five minutes allotted, but if you can shorten that, that is good.
▶ 0:50:33We do have another vote that is in the queue here, so it is a disruptive process, but that is what we deal with. Let's go ahead and begin the testimony. Ms. locke, welcome. You may present your testimony. >> chairman murkowski and members of the committee, I'm trina locke, director of environmental and natural resources with the bureau of indian affairs.
▶ 0:50:58I am an enrolled member of the nation from north dakota and a descendant of the -- lakota. I'm currently working out of the bia albuquerque, new mexico office. Thank you for the opportunity to testify today on four bills that affect tribal nations. S. 1508 shivwits band of paiutes jurisdictional clarity act, 2735, shingle springs band of miwok indians, land act of 2025.
▶ 0:51:29S. Project restoration act, and s. 236, to amend the long term leasing act to authorize leases of up to 99 years for the mashpee wampanoag tribe reservation and land held in trust for the tribe of gay head and other purposes. S. 1508 shivwits band of paiutes would extend laws so they can of their laws for extended terms.
▶ 0:52:00The department supports the authority for the band to enter into leases for 99 years as tribal governments are in the best position to determine the duration of such leases in pursuit of economic development. The department takes no position on the provisions of the bill regarding the state of utah's jurisdiction.
▶ 0:52:21S 2735, shivwits band of paiutes land transfer act would take approximately 214 acres of land in el dorado county, california into trust for the benefit of shingle springs band of miwok indians. It would revoke order 3309 and transfer the administrative jurisdiction of 40 acres of federal land utilized by the usda forest service for the secretary of interior.
▶ 0:52:50Those acres in addition to 45.3 acres of lands managed by the bureau of land management and 118.84 acres of tribally owned land would also be placed in trust for the benefit of the tribe. The administration supports conveying these lands in trust for the shingle springs band of miwok indians. S.
▶ 0:53:081513, lower elwha klallam tribe restoration act would replace approximately 82 acres of federal lands managed by the park service into trust for the benefit of the lower elwha klallam tribe and become part of
▶ 0:53:25The Chairman Tuberville: 's existing reservation. The supports conveying these lands into trust for the lower tribe. The fourth bill, s. 230 six, would extend 99 year leasing authority under the long term leasing act so that the mashpee wampanoag and wampanoag tribe of gay head can agree to leases of their land for extended terms.
▶ 0:53:51The Chairman Tuberville: It is a straightforward amendment on the long term leasing act which would provide parity for other tribes, long-term planning for other needs. The department supports this bill. Thank you and I'm pleased to answer any questions the committee may have. >> thank you. Next, we turn to the honorable brian wheaton. >> I come from ashby. Good day, chairwoman murkowski, distinguished members of the committee.
▶ 0:54:21The Chairman Tuberville: I'm the chairman of the mashpee wampanoag tribe. And asked to amend the act of 1965 commonly known as the long term leasing act. To authorize leases of up to 99 years for land held in trust for the mashpee wampanoag tribe and wampanoag tribe of gay head quinnah.
▶ 0:54:47The Chairman Tuberville: From the commonwealth of massachusetts delegation, senator markey, senator warren, congressman keating. All have been good friends to our tribe and we appreciate their sponsorship and support of s 236 and its house companion bill hr 681. Our tribe played a central role in american history. We are the tribe that greeted the pilgrims for the first thanksgiving in 1621. Yet we suffered for generations as we were stripped of our lands. And ultimately became landless. .
▶ 0:55:15The Chairman Tuberville: Only recently have when -- have we been able to reestablish a modest federally protected reservation within our historical territory on cape cod in massachusetts. The communities around us on cape cod have become luxury tourist destinations. And home prices on the cost of living have skyrocketed. In our own homeland, our people have a very hard time finding affordable housing and otherwise making ends meet. Our tribe has had very few resources with which to develop a tribal economy to support them.
▶ 0:55:45The Chairman Tuberville: We need to generate revenue and create opportunities for employment to ensure that our tribe can achieve self-sufficiency and our members can afford the extraordinarily high cost of living in our own homeland. Our sister tribe, the aquinnah, is in a similar situation on martha's vineyard. Another vacation destination for the wealthy. They need this legislation to ensure that it can financially and sustainably provide for its community.
▶ 0:56:13The Chairman Tuberville: The long term leasing act was enacted in 1955 to allow tribes to enter into leases with the approval of the secretary of the 2 -- interior. It is become clear the longer term leasing authority is necessary to enable tribes to truly and responsibly plan ahead for the next seven generations. Since enactment in 1955, section 415a has been amended something like 50 times to allow around 60 other tribes to enter into leases for up to 99 years.
▶ 0:56:43The Chairman Tuberville: S. 236 would amend section 415a to include the mashpee wampanoag and aquinnah to enter into long-term leases. Providing this opportunity would empower our tribe to diversify its economy. Shorter-term leases of 45 years don't provide stability to attract substantial capital investments. Longer lease terms up to 99 years provide more financial security and may lead to lower cost financing.
▶ 0:57:12The Chairman Tuberville: Without the ability to pry the longer term leases, business investment on indian land is often discouraged. Economic development is especially important to our tribe because revenue generated helps to fund tribal government programs. We are working to provide employment, education, affordable housing, health care, language preservation. However, we need a healthy economy to accomplish these goals. Just as important as economic self-sufficiency is the ability to exercise tribal sovereignty.
▶ 0:57:41The Chairman Tuberville: Every tribe should be allowed to make its own decisions about how it wants to use its land. Tribal leaders best know their community needs. Enacting s. 236 would empower mashpee to make decisions about its future with less federal oversight. Mashpee believes all tribes should be afforded these opportunities equally. There has been in efforts to end the long term leasing act to provide all tribes with this leasing authority as an important self-determination in economic development tool.
▶ 0:58:06The Chairman Tuberville: Mashpee strongly supports the bipartisan unlocked act introduced by vice chairman schatz and cosponsored by chairwoman murkowski. We appreciate the bill also provides tribes with a greater autonomy related to long-term leasing. Thank you for including s. 236. We urge the committee to do what it can to move this legislation forward to ensure its passage in the 119th congress. We thank you all on this committee for the important work you do for all indian country.
▶ 0:58:37The Chairman Tuberville: I'm happy to answer any questions.
▶ 0:58:41Vice Chair Murkowski: We next turned to the honorable tina gonzalez. >> good morning, madam chair and distinguished members of your committee. -- good morning, madam chair and distinguished members of the committee. My name is tina gonzales. I have the honor to sarah -- of the shivwits band of paiutes.
▶ 0:59:05Vice Chair Murkowski: I've submitted testimony that includes my tribe's history, perseverance, and more detailed background explanation of circumstances giving rise to our need for this legislation. Rather than repeating the written testimony, I will focus on my development through long-term investment with developer partners, opportunities which can only be realized when developers have certainty that they can access a state court form to resolve disputes arising under contracts
▶ 0:59:35Vice Chair Murkowski: Or agreements with the shivwits band of paiutes. The shivwits band of paiutes needs congress' helped to remove legal and bureaucratic barriers to our economic progress. My ancestors were members shivwits band of paiutes of the, one of several southern paiutes tribes since time immemorial.
▶ 0:59:57Vice Chair Murkowski: An area that once covered more than 30 million acres across what is now southern utah, northern arizona, and southern nevada in the mid-1800s, settlers arrived and forcibly displaced my ancestors from their traditional homelands, which drastically limited access to water for their historical farming practices.
▶ 1:00:22Vice Chair Murkowski: A loss of access to food and water, resulted in the band was first recognized by the federal government in 1891 with the establishment of our reservation in 1916. The reservation was expanded to nearly 27,000 acres with over 1000 acres being added to the reservation in 1937.
▶ 1:00:53Vice Chair Murkowski: Today, the reservation covers about 28,000 acres in southern southwestern utah and -- an area much smaller than our aboriginal territory. The journey for the present-day shivwits band has been difficult.
▶ 1:01:12Vice Chair Murkowski: The relationship with the government in 1954 during the termination area with congress adopting various laws and terminating federal obligations to indian tribes despite termination and before our federally recognized status as the tribe was later restored. The shivwits band continued to forge onward, holding steadfast to our lands and culture, eventually the federal government walked back many termination era policies.
▶ 1:01:40Vice Chair Murkowski: In 1980, congress passed legislation, restoring the shivwits band federal recognition as a tribe. Since restoration, we worked diligently to strengthen our sovereignty while restoration has yielded notably improvements in our members' quality of life, it did not bring substance of economic development to shivwits band lands.
▶ 1:02:02Vice Chair Murkowski: As a result, the shivwits band has remained focused on identifying opportunities that will allow us to provide governmental services and employment options to shivwits band members and become independent from reliance on federal funding.
▶ 1:02:22Vice Chair Murkowski: Today, rapid growth in southwestern utah has created new economic opportunities that our ability to put the lands to the highest use is hindered by the lack of clear legal framework that allows for resolution of civil disputes on our lands and the ability to offer longer lease terms that are comparable to standard lease terms for non-indian lands.
▶ 1:02:46Vice Chair Murkowski: Without changes, the shivwits band will be unable to take control of current and future development opportunities. Senate bill 1508 requires corrections necessary to allow utah state court jurisdiction over civil cases involving shivwits band that occur on our lands when the shivwits band decides to waive tribal sovereign immunity to facilitate investment.
▶ 1:03:15Vice Chair Murkowski: Civil disputes will have a clear dispute resolution option in a utah state court form if the shivwits band -- tribe, jurisdiction, this removes a huge obstacle to development partnerships between the shivwits band and private sector investment. The legislation also ensures the shivwits band's sovereign immunity remains intact, unless explicitly waived by the tribe.
▶ 1:03:42Vice Chair Murkowski: This means that the shivwits band remains immune from uncontested lawsuit while having the option to consent to state court jurisdiction in individual contracts with private developers. The legislation also confirms federal court is a forum option for civil suits involving the shivwits band without senate bill 1508, even if the shivwits band wants to waive immunity and choose a federal or state court form to facilitate investment.
▶ 1:04:13Vice Chair Murkowski: Federal and state courts do not have player jurisdiction. Informing the -- affirming the shivwits band's to submit to state court jurisdiction in individual contracts and agreements is essential to ensuring that we can attract outside businesses for long-term economic development.
▶ 1:04:32Vice Chair Murkowski: Benefiting not only the shivwits band community, but local utah communities as well by passage of senate bill 1508, you would be championing legislation to assist the shivwits band and resolving barriers to economic development so that the shivwits band and surrounding community can enjoy the benefits of long-term stability and financial security. I'ld also like to take this time to support another bill here today, senate bill --
▶ 1:05:04Chair Murkowski: I'm going to ask that you wrap. We have two more witnesses, and we have a vote here that we will try to get to.
▶ 1:05:13Ms. Gonzales: I do apologize. I'd also like to take the time to voice my support for another bill considered here today. Senate bill 236. This bill seeks to extend permissible lease terms beyond those limitations set forth in the long term leasing act. Thank you.
▶ 1:05:34Chair Murkowski: Thank you. I'm sorry to cut you off, but we are trying to get everybody in. Let's move to chairman francis charles, welcome. >> chair murkowski and vice chair schatz and distinguished members of the committee on indian affairs, thank you for the opportunity to testify on senate 1513 to transfer federal lands to the lower tribe interest and reservation status.
▶ 1:06:04Chair Murkowski: I also want to thank senator cantwell for introducing the bill and the national park service is for the work and our partner to contribute to the development of this bill. My name is francis charles, I'm the tribal chairwoman of the lower maccallum tribe in the tribal council. I have been on tribal council since 1993 and present as a chairwoman for the past 20 years.
▶ 1:06:26Chair Murkowski: I flew 3000 miles to be here today for one reason, to spend the next five minutes with you in person telling you how important this bill is to our tribe, how long we have waited, and how hard we have worked for it. Our reservation lands on located on the elwha river that flows into the -- on the beautiful land of the olympic peninsula. The elwha river is the lifeblood of our tribe.
▶ 1:06:55Chair Murkowski: The elwha people have lived here for thousands of years, sustained by the elwha river abundance, once 100 pounds and look salmon runs, which provided the ceremony for our people. This battle began in 1913 when the elwha dam was built a few miles upstream from our homes. No one told us and no one asked us. The dam blocked 95% of the river and almost overnight, the salmon runs were destroyed, reduced to small fractions of what they had been.
▶ 1:07:26Chair Murkowski: Since then, we have been working to get the dams removed for many years. No one has given us a chance. In 1982, congress had passed the elwha river act and set in motion the process that led to the dam's removal. The dam removal process began in 2011 and was the last dam removed in 2014.
▶ 1:07:51Chair Murkowski: We are grateful for each partnership we developed that lead to the 1992 elwha river act and actual removal of the dams. We still have so much work to do to fulfill the restoration river runs throughout the entire habitat that are now accessible to the wake of the dam removal. I'm going to focus the remaining minutes on the statements for the land transfer on this bill.
▶ 1:08:18Chair Murkowski: Because my written testimony details our tribe's leading roles of achieving the dam removal's. The foundation of senate 1513 was established in 1992 elwha river act, which specifically names our tribe as an eligible recipient of the formal reserve lands. None of the other entities named in the 1992 act wanted the land, national park service, national wildlife, or the state of washington. Only lower elwha does.
▶ 1:08:50Chair Murkowski: The large piece of the land to be transferred by the bill is an old reservoir site a little over 1000 acres. These lands are outside of the boundary of the olympic national park and a short distance from our reservation. The national park service no longer wants to hold lands at issue now and the dam removal is complete. This land is an area of a great cultural significance to the lower elwha tribe. It includes our creation site spiritually that submerged for over 100 years.
▶ 1:09:20Chair Murkowski: It is difficult to explain how important it is to have our creation site restored to us. Since the dam removal, our tribe has led an effort to re-vegetate the site with natural shrubs and trees and remove the invasive plants. We also worked to improve the fish habitat by -- logjams in the water. It also transfers some small parcels of land that touch upon our reservation boundary.
▶ 1:09:49Chair Murkowski: These parcels are needed for the water line and delivers water to our reservation hatchery, an important part of the elwha fisheries restoration. We need to move this along and get it passed in congress. Last week, the U.S. house of representatives passed the bill. Now it is time for the senate to act. Elwha has waited for years for this. The lands included are sacred and since real grounds and creation site.
▶ 1:10:16Chair Murkowski: We have been the leading tribes putting our resources and knowledge into the dam removal and fisheries restoration process for the past few decades. We look forward to working and continuing to work with senator cantwell, this committee, and in park service to bring the last piece of the dam removal project to closure. I would also like to thank all of those who helped put a hand in making this transfer successful. Thank you.
▶ 1:10:43Chair Murkowski: Thank you, chair warren. Appreciate the work on the restoration. Next turning to the honorable regina cuellar. >> good afternoon, chairwoman murkowski, thank you for holding the hearing on the opportunity to satisfy. I am the chairwoman of the shingle springs band of miwok indians. I'm joined by our general councilwoman. I'm here to express our strong support for s. 2735.
▶ 1:11:11Chair Murkowski: Legislation that would take certain federal lands in el dorado county, california into trust for the benefit of my tribe. This bill is critical to my future, advancements tribal determination, urges housing crisis, and the historic land use decisions that continue to affect our community. The shivwits band of paiutes is a federally -- shingle springs band of miwok indians is in the western foothills of the sierra nevada. Our tribe includes more than 582 tribal citizens, about 140 of whom live on our reservation.
▶ 1:11:42Chair Murkowski: We have worked diligently to rebuild our land base, growing our trust lands from the original 100 60 acres to approximately 370 acres today. Our tribe has endured displacement. In the mid-19th century, we lived in two villages, one located along the sacramento river near what is now downtown sacramento, and one located near present-day verona. In 1920, the U.S. purchased land for our tribe and informed our communities they would have to move to this new location.
▶ 1:12:12Chair Murkowski: This new home near shingle springs was known as the verona tribe and was adjacent to a parcel known as an el dorado tract, land set aside for another try. When the U.S. purchased this for us, decisions made by the bureau of indian affairs and the state of california soon deprived us of access to that land. In the 1960's, the bureau of indian affairs signed off on the construction of U.S. highway 50. Through an adjoining parcel of land belonging to the other indian tribe. It provided our only legal access to our reservation.
▶ 1:12:44Chair Murkowski: Our neighboring tribe was terminated and the remaining land passed to individual members or wasn't sold. As a result, our tribe was effectively landlocked for decades. No tribal members lived on the reservation and our lands were unusable. It took more than 40 years for the tribe to restore meaningful access, ultimately by constructing a direct offramp from highway 50. While that finally allowed us to begin rebuilding, the consequences of those historic decisions continue to limit our ability to meet the needs of our people.
▶ 1:13:12Chair Murkowski: Today, we face a severe housing crisis. We currently have 198 families on their housing weightless. For nearly 20 years, the only way a tribal member could receive a home wasn't through inheritance. Because no new housing was available. Only in the past year were we able to build 20 new homes, which falls far short of meeting the demand.
▶ 1:13:32Chair Murkowski: We attempted to address this need by purchasing homes in nearby subdivisions, but that approach is inefficient, expensive, and diverse tribal resources away from infrastructure and essential services. We need land where we can plan and build housing in a sustainable and culturally appropriate way. S. 27 35 provides that opportunity. It would place into trust approximately 85 acres of bureau management land as well as the 180 eight acre indian creek property, which the tribe already owns.
▶ 1:14:02Chair Murkowski: Indian creek ranch is located less then a five minute drive from our tribal headquarters and was approved by el dorado county in 2009 for a subdivision of 75 residential lots. Those approvals remain in place, making this property a rare and timely solution to our housing needs. This adjacent bill has never been developed and poses a wildfire risk. The tribe has already taken responsibility for managing and maintaining this land.
▶ 1:14:28Chair Murkowski: If transferred into trust, it would remain open space with no plans for development and continue to be managed responsibly to reduce fire danger. While we have generally had positive expanses with the bureau of indian affairs, the current backlog can delay projects for years. We have a feeder trust application that has been pending for over a decade.
▶ 1:14:49Chair Murkowski: Including these lands and legislation allows us to move forward c1 we worked with el dorado county which has provided a form of support. This bill represents a thoughtful response to a long-standing problem created by historic federal actions. That will allow a tribe to provide safe and affordable housing, manage land responsibly , and plan for the future with dignity and self-determination.
▶ 1:15:20Chair Murkowski: I want to thank our senators for sponsoring this bill and the members of the committee for their commitment to tribal sovereignty and delay in consolidation. Thank you again for this opportunity to testify. I respectfully urge the committee to advance this bill and I welcome any questions. Thank you. >> I want to thank our tribal leaders who have traveled here today.
▶ 1:15:49Chair Murkowski: You will have different scenarios but the common thread is matters that have been at issue for years and years. Now the opportunity to finally address them through legislation is what brings you here. Some of these matters can be addressed administratively.
▶ 1:16:18Chair Murkowski: As has been noted with the legislation that would just advance in a business meeting prior to this hearing. We recognize that we have the need to step up by putting some of these fixes into statute. You mentioned is a backlog for land and trust applications.
▶ 1:16:50Chair Murkowski: As a reason why the tribe has sought legislation. I want to address this question to you. A statement was made about the length of time. Can you share with the committee what the understanding is of the backlog?
▶ 1:17:26Chair Murkowski: >> thank you for your question. There are 862 pending cases. We recognize this can be a long process. We updated this that governs the land action.
▶ 1:17:58Chair Murkowski: The updated process reduce the average time across those from 1000 days to 650 days.
▶ 1:18:13Sen. Murkowski: You are making progress. You admit you have not yet reached your goal. I acknowledge that. When you speak to the backlog in front of you, is that average? Is that high? It seems like a lot to me, particularly considering how long this is taking. >> it is a little high.
▶ 1:18:45Sen. Murkowski: If the backlog is high, you're making progress in reducing the time it takes. Is it resourcing to the department? What would allow you to address these complications in a more timely manner?
▶ 1:19:15Sen. Murkowski: Legislation is not quick either. We know you have to sometimes move to a legislation because you feel like you're spinning your wheels through a never-ending administrative process. >> thank you for your question. I do not have a specifics at this time.
▶ 1:19:33Sen. Murkowski: I am not only chairman of this committee, I am also chairman of the interior appropriations. So this is right in our account. If it is failure to adequately resource positions, we need to be making the difference. We have put a little fire under the administration when it comes to probate.
▶ 1:20:03Sen. Murkowski: I don't know if you have the same challenges. I think we have the secretaries attention to it. As we are looking at this. Sometimes we need to be knowing how to do this with you.
▶ 1:20:32Sen. Murkowski: I also wanted to ask you, it is very clear what was being outlined here. You said the department is not taking a position on the legislation.
▶ 1:21:01Sen. Murkowski: Can you share what the hesitation or concern is? Is there concern that this is precedent-setting for other tribes that are seeking jurisdiction? What is the position on this? >> the department is supportive of this bill.
▶ 1:21:31Sen. Murkowski: We do not take a position.
▶ 1:21:43Sen. Murkowski: With the department oppose the bill going forward. >> many tribes are interested in this. The department is not take a position on the jurisdiction provisions. But it understands that the boundary is here today and to be speaking on this.
▶ 1:22:05Sen. Murkowski: I'm still not clear what position you would take. We will be working with you further on this. Let me ask one more question regarding technical assistance.
▶ 1:22:29Sen. Murkowski: With regards to any of the bills that have been presented here, are we considering that for any of these bills at this time? >> the department will be happy to provide technical assistance.
▶ 1:22:47Sen. Murkowski: We will look forward to that. This is a question directed to you. You have outlined in your testimony why this is a priority.
▶ 1:23:15Sen. Murkowski: Is there anything that your tribe is looking at right now that would require this to be in place? >> thank you for that question. We are looking at several opportunities. I think we heard from the majority of the panel on the housing costs.
▶ 1:23:47Sen. Murkowski: That is an issue for a lot of tribes. Thank you.
▶ 1:23:50Sen. Murkowski: Ok. I am looking through my list of questions. What has been outlined in terms of the history that we have heard on these matters has been good. And comprehensive. Not only in your oral statement today but it what you have provided to the committee.
▶ 1:24:25Sen. Murkowski: These are matters that we will advance for full consideration. I know we have committee members who are coming and going throughout the day. I don't think you should take it as a reflection for lack of interest in your particular issue. As we are trying to close out at the end of the year, there are probably a few different committees as well as floor votes going on.
▶ 1:24:57Sen. Murkowski: We will allow for our colleagues here to submit follow-up questions for the record. We will hold that open for a couple of weeks. Do not be surprised if you get more questions directed to you for other members of the committee. Or the vice chair here. I thank you all for being here today. For traveling. I appreciate 3000 miles. I understand you have some blizzards going on.
▶ 1:25:28Sen. Murkowski: Hopefully it clears up before I have to go back to alaska. I thank you all for your participation today. This hearing is adjourned. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap.org] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2025]