Indianz.Com > News > Senate Committee on Indian Affairs sets business meeting and hearing
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs sets business meeting and hearing
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Indianz.Com
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs is holding a business meeting and legislative hearing as the first half of the 119th Congress comes to a close.
One item is on the agenda for the business meeting. The committee is set to advance S.3383, the Unlocking Native Lands and Opportunities for Commerce and Key Economic Developments Act of 2025.
S.3383 allows tribes to do business on their lands without seeking federal approval for each and every action. Leases can last up to 99 years under the bill.
Following approval by the committee, the bill can be taken up by the Senate for passage.
Immediately following the meeting, the committee will take testimony on four bills. The agenda follows:
• S.236, a bill to amend the Act of August 9, 1955 (commonly known as the “Long-Term Leasing Act”), to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land in the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation and land held in trust for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), and for other purposes.
• S.1508, a bill to confer jurisdiction on the State of Utah with respect to civil causes of action arising on or within the Indian lands of the Shivwits Band of Paiutes, and for other purposes.
• S.1513, a bill to take certain Federal land in the State of Washington into trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, and for other purposes.
• S.2735, a bill to take certain Federal land in the State of California into trust for the benefit of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, and for other purposes.
As part of the hearing, the committee is taking testimony from a panel of federal and tribal witnesses. The witness list follows:
Ms. Trina Locke [PDF: Testimony]Directorate of Environmental and Natural Resources
Office of Trust Services
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Department of the Interior
Washington, DC The Honorable Brian Weeden [PDF: Testimony]
Chairman
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
Mashpee, Massachusetts The Honorable Tina Gonzales [PDF: Testimony]
Chairwoman
Shivwits Band of Paiutes
Ivins, Utah The Honorable Frances Charles [PDF: Testimony]
Chairwoman
Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe
Port Angeles, Washington The Honorable Regina Cuellar [PDF: Testimony]
Chairwoman
Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians
Placerville, California The business meeting and legislative hearing take place in Room 628 of the Senate Dirksen Office Building. A webcast is available on indian.senate.gov. The U.S. Senate is winding down business before the Christmas holiday. The chamber will then resume in January 2026. The 119th Congress began in January 2025. The session will concluded at the end of December 2026.
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Notice
Business Meeting to consider S.3383 & Legislative Hearing to receive testimony on S.236, S.1508, S.1513 & S.2735 (December 17, 2025>
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