House Committee on Natural Resources set to advance more Indian bills

• H.R.1074, a bill to address criminal jurisdiction issues on the settlement of the Meskwaki Tribe. The state of Iowa already enacted a law relinquishing jurisdiction over crimes committed by tribal citizens but Congress must take action as well. The House Committee on Natural Resources held a hearing on the bill on June 7. The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs approved a companion version, S.381, at a business meeting on March 29.
• H.R.1418, a bill to ensure that Alexander Creek in Alaska can organize as a village corporation under the terms of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. The House Committee on Natural Resources has not held a hearing on this bill but similar versions have been considered in prior sessions of Congress.
• H.R.1491, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Land Affirmation Act. The bill ratifies a decision by the Bureau of Indian Affairs to place about 1,400 acres in trust in California for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. A hearing hasn't been held on H.R.1491 but a similar version was considered in the last session of Congress.