An aerial view of Diné College's center in Chinle, Arizona. Photo from Facebook
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs will hold a business meeting on Wednesday. Eight bills are on the agenda. They are:
S.1928, the Native Educator Support and Training (NEST) Act. The bill extends an existing federal loan cancellation program to Native language immersion instructors. The committee held a hearing on November 18.The business meeting takes place at 2:15pm in Room 628 of the Senate Dirksen Office Building. It will be immediately followed by an oversight hearing on telecommunications issues in Indian Country. Committee Notices:
S.2205, the Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts Act. The bill establishes a grant program for tribal healing to wellness courts. A hearing took place on April 13.
S.2304, the Tribal Early Childhood Education Act. The bill creates a demonstration project for tribes, tribal education institutions and tribal organizations to develop early childhood education programs. The committee held a hearing on April 6.
S.2421, a bill to convey Indian Health Service properties to the Tanana Tribal Council and to the Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation, both in Alaska. A hearing took place on April 13.
S.2468, the Safe Academic Facilities and Environments for Tribal Youth Act (SAFETY ACT). The bill requires the Bureau of Indian Education and the White House Office of Management and Budget to come up with a 10-year plan to bring Indian schools into "good" condition. The committee held a hearing on April 6.
S.2564, the Dine College Act. The bill authorizes funds for new construction at Diné College , a tribal college on the Navajo Nation. A hearing took place on April 13.
S.2643, the Pueblo de Cochiti Self-Governance Act. The bill ratifies a settlement agreement between Cochiti Pueblo in New Mexico and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A hearing was held on April 13.
S.2717, the Dam Repairs and Improvements for Tribes Act (DRIFT ACT). The bill invests $655 million over 20 years to address a $500 million backlog in maintenance at dams across Indian Country. The committee took testimony on April 13.
Business Meeting (April 27, 2016)
Oversight Hearing on "The GAO Report on, "Telecommunications: Additional Coordination and Performance Measurement Needed for High-Speed Internet Access Programs on Tribal Lands." (April 27, 2016) Government Accountability Office Report:
Additional Coordination and Performance Measurement Needed for High-Speed Internet Access Programs on Tribal Lands (January 29, 2016)
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