Members and staff of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee prepare for business meeting. July 29, 2014. Photo © Indianz.Com

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee on Wednesday approved two bills to benefit tribes in Nevada.

S.2479, the Moapa Band of Paiutes Land Conveyance Act, requires the Interior Department to place land into trust for the Moapa Band of Paiute Indians. The original bill identified nearly 26,600 acres but an amendment removed about 600 acres from the measure

At a hearing on July 9, Chairwoman Aletha Tom said the tribe plans to use one segment for housing and another for recreational and conservation purposes. A third would be set aside for cultural purposes and the remaining lands would be used for renewable energy development.

The committee also approved S.2480, the Nevada Native Nations Land Act. The bill requires DOI to place land into trust for seven tribes but an amendment removed the a provision affecting the South Fork Band from the original measure.

Both measures can now be considered on the Senate floor.

Get the Story:
Bill Would Add Thousands Of Acres To Tribal Land (KNPR 7/31)
Senate advances Moapa Paiute reservation expansion (The Las Vegas Review-Journal 7/31)

Committee Notice:
Business Meeting to consider the following legislation (July 30, 2014)

Related Stories:
Senate Indian Affairs Committee passes seven bills at meeting (7/31)
Senate Indian Affairs Committee sets business meeting on bills (07/28)
Moapa Band asks Congress to pass bill to add land to reservation (07/10)
Audio from Senate Indian Affairs Committee's hearing on five bills (07/09)
Witness list for Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing on bills (07/07)
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs plans four hearings in July (06/30)