The Senate Indian Affairs Committee will hold an oversight hearing tomorrowto discuss the American Indian Probate Reform Act.

Congress passed the law in 2004. It created a federal probate code for Indian beneficiaries, who previously had to adhere to state law.

"The federal probate code is intended to limit fractionation, keep land in the hands of the Indian children of the owner, and encourage the drafting of wills," according to the National Congress of American Indians.

The hearing takes place at 2:15pm in Room 628 of the Senate Dirksen Office Building. The witness list follows:

Panel # 1
The Honorable John Berry
Chairman, Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma

Mr. Douglas Nash (Nez Perce)
Adjunct Professor, Institute for Indian Estate Planning and Probate, Seattle University School of Law

Panel # 2
The Honorable Scott Russell
Secretary, Crow Nation and Vice President, National Congress of American Indians

Mr. Majel Russell, Esq. (Crow)
Attorney at Law, Elk River Law Office, on behalf of COLT (Coalition of Large Tribes)

Ms. Sharon Redthunder (Nez Perce)
Acting Director, Indian Land Working Group, Elmer City

Committee Notice:
OVERSIGHT HEARING on "The American Indian Probate Reform Act: Empowering Indian Land Owners" (August 4, 2011)

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Senate Indian Affairs Committee schedules hearing on probate (8/1)