House Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs holds first hearing

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House Committee on Natural Resources: House Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs – Legislative Hearing on H.R. 410, H.R. 412, H.R. 504 & H.R. 741 – February 5, 2025

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Indianz.Com

The House Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs is holding its first hearing of the 119th Congress.

Four bills are on the agenda for the hearing on Wednesday morning. They follow:

• H.R.410, the Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Extension Act of 2025. The bill extends the Alaska Native Vietnam-Era Veterans Land Allotment Program for another five years to ensure the Bureau of Land Management can reach out to Alaska Native veterans who are entitled to land selections.

• H.R.412, to authorize the Bay Mills Indian Community of the State of Michigan to convey land and interests in land owned by the tribe. The bill ensures that the Bay Mills Indian Community can make decisions affecting its fee lands in Michigan without seeking approval from the Bureau of Indian Affairs for every transaction. Similar bills have been enacted for other tribes in prior sessions of Congress.

• H.R.504, the Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act. The bill adds an area known as Osceola Camp to the reservation of the Miccosukee Tribe. The land is located within the Everglades National Park in Florida.

• H.R.741, the Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act of 2025. The bill elevates the Director of the Indian Health Service to the position of Assistant Secretary of Indian Health within the Department of Health and Human Services.

Documents: Legislative Hearing on H.R. 410, H.R. 412, H.R. 504 & H.R. 741

iiahearingnotice020525 PDF: Hearing Notice

iiahearingmemo020525 PDF: Hearing Memo

The witness list follows:

Mr. Nelson Angapak [H.R.410]
Alaska Federation of Natives
Anchorage, Alaska

Ms. Whitney Gravelle [H.R.412]
President
Bay Mills Indian Community
Brimley, Michigan

Mr. Talbert Cypress [H.R.504]
Chairman
Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida
Miami, Florida

Mr. A.C. Locklear [H.R.741] [Minority Witness]
Interim Chief Executive Officer
National Indian Health Board
Washington, D.C.

The hearing takes place at 10:15am Eastern in Room 1324 of the Longworth House Office Building. A livestream is available on naturalresources.house.gov.

Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-Colorado) is the new chair of the House Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs for the 119th Congress. Photo: House Committee on Natural Resources Republicans

The subcommittee’s chair for 119th Congress is Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-Colorado). He is a new member of the U.S. House of Representatives, having won election in Colorado’s 3rd congressional district in November 2024.

“I am honored to serve as Chairman of the Indian and Insular Affairs subcommittee, and to build upon the great work of past chairwoman Rep. Hageman,” Hurd said in a January 9 news release, referring to his predecessor, Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyoming). “This chairmanship will give the people of the Third District, Colorado and the west a voice on issues that are pivotal to our country.”

The subcommittee is part of the House Committee on Natural Resources.

House Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs Notice

Legislative Hearing on H.R. 410, H.R. 412, H.R. 504 & H.R. 741 (February 5, 2025)