President Barack Obama signs H.R. 205, the HEARTH Act of 2012, in the Oval Office, July 30, 2012. Standing behind the President, from left, are: Bryan Newland, Senior Policy Advisor at the Department of the Interior; Governor Randall Vicente, Pueblo of Acoma in New Mexico; David Hayes, Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Interior; Jefferson Keel, President of the National Congress of American Indians; Rep. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M.; Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii; interior Secretary Ken Salazar; Cheryl Causley, Chairperson of the National American Indian Housing Council; Governor Gregory Mendoza, Gila River Indian Community of Arizona; and Del Laverdure, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Department of the Interior. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

H.R.205, the Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Homeownership Act (HEARTH) Act is expected to improve Indian housing conditions and boost economic development on reservations.

The new law streamlines the Bureau of Indian Affairs process for leases. It will help tribes build homes faster and approve developments for other projects.

"The measure supports and promotes tribal self-governance and tribal government control over the effective use of their tribal lands. This new law has the potential to change the face of leasing on tribal lands - it's a huge step in the right direction," National American Indian Housing Council Chairwoman Cheryl A. Causley said in a statement.

Under the law, tribes will be able to develop their own leasing regulations. Once approved by the BIA, tribes won't have to go back to the agency for every single project.

"The HEARTH Act underscores President Obama’s commitment to empower Indian nations and strengthen their economies by expanding opportunities for tribal governments,” Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said in a press release.

Get the Story:
Obama signs bill to expedite tribal development (AP 7/30)
President Obama signs HEARTH Act giving Indian tribes more land independence (ABC15 7/30)
BIA Housing Rules Eased Under Heinrich Bill (The Albuquerque Journal 7/31)

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