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FEBRUARY 20, 2001

Over the past few weeks, most of the nation's attention has been focused on George W. Bush: his inauguration, his controversial Cabinet members, and his first major decisions as President of the United States.

But plenty of action has been occurring just down the street from the White House. Congress is back in session too, so that means a number of bills affecting tribes and Native Americans are on the legislative horizon.

So what's in store for Indian Country? A look at some of the recent proposals.

SEN. BEN NIGHTHORSE CAMPBELL:
Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo) hasn't just been eagerly supporting Gale Norton and Slade Gorton in the past weeks, he's also been introducing bills. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, the Northern Cheyenne tribal member has one of the most successful legislative records on Capitol Hill.

Campbell has introduced three bills affecting health care and education. The Indian Health Care Improvement Act Reauthorization (S.212) would extend health care funding for the Indian Health Service (IHS) and for tribes and Campbell is focusing specifically on three areas: urban Indians, diabetes, and facilities construction.

The Native American Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program Consolidation Act (S.210) is directed at helping tribes consolidate and integrate alcohol, substance abuse prevention and treatment, and mental health programs. But since a variety of agencies provide different funds and programs, Campbell wants tribes to be able to cut through the bureaucracy and file a single plan that will enable them to access government services more easily.

A former teacher, Campbell has also introduced the Native American Educational Improvement Act (S.211). Adopting the mantra of Bush -- "No child will be left behind" -- Campbell is proposing amendments to the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 to help tribes control their schools more effectively through development of standards, control of management contracts, and increased access to funding.

NAVAJO / HOPI RELATIONS:
The relationship between the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe of Arizona has often been complicated by their land dispute. During the decades-old conflict, a moratorium on construction or repairs to homes in disputed areas was instituted and has so far lasted about three decades.

Called the Bennett Freeze, Representative J.D. Hayworth (R-Ariz) has introduced a bill (H.R.104) to repeal it. He says the freeze has affected 1.5 million acres of land and nearly 8,000 residents.

NATIVE HAWAIIANS:
After failing to pass last session, a bill to extend federal recognition to Native Hawaiians (H.R.617) has been introduced once again. The Department of Justice and the Department of Interior last year recommended Congress recognize a government-to-government relationship with Native Hawaiians.

Their recommendation came in the wake of the Rice v. Cayetano Supreme Court decision which struck down a vote originally limited to Native Hawaiians and which has opened up other programs to non-Natives. Incidentally, Theodore Olson, Bush's pick for Solicitor General, successfully argued the case on behalf of Hawaiian rancher Harold "Freddy" Rice.

SCHOOL BONDS:
Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) has reintroduced the Indian School Construction Act (S.243) which would allow tribes to issue bonds to help finance construction of BIA schools.

Common in other communities, school districts offer bonds as a way of paying for their educational facilities. Investors buy the bonds, expecting to receive their initial investment as well as interest when the bond matures.

But tribes have had difficulty obtaining financing to undertake a school bond. The bill would eliminate the risks by providing an escrow account to entice investment banks.

Relevant Links:
Thomas, Legislative Information on the Internet - thomas.loc.gov
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs - www.senate.gov/~scia
The House Committee on Resources - resourcescommittee.house.gov

Related Stories:
Tribal school bonds subject of bill (Indian U. 09/11)