Non-Indians in California say they were snookered by a bill that took a year to pass Congress.

The Native American Technical Corrections Act was signed into law earlier this month. It includes several provisions benefiting California tribes, allowing them to acquire new trust lands.

Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.) introduced the bill in March 2003. But non-Indians complain they only learned of if recently. "This isn't the way we do things in a democracy," one local official said "It's like they're trying to pull the wool over a community's eyes."

An explanation of the bill, section-by-section, can be found at http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/Press/
releases/2004/0211nativepoints.htm.

Get the Story:
Indian tribes use influence in Congress to bypass local opposition (AP 3/14)

Get the Bill:
Native American Technical Corrections Act of 2003 (S.523)

Related Stories:
Bush signs bill to take land into trust for Barona Band (3/4)
House approves technical corrections legislation (02/12)
Senate passes Indian technical corrections act (08/01)