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Senate Committee on Indian Affairs holds business meeting and budget hearing
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Indianz.Com
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs is getting back to work after a long absence in the nation’s capital.
The committee is hosting a business meeting and oversight hearing on Wednesday afternoon. Eight bills are on the agenda for the meeting:
S.236, 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. A hearing on the bill took place on December 17, 2025.
S.1513, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act. The bill places about 1,083 acres in trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe in Washington state. A hearing took place on December 17, 2025.
S.2098, the Southcentral Foundation Land Transfer Act of 2025. transfers land from the Indian Health Service to the Southcentral Foundation to provide health services for the Native community in Anchorage, Alaska. Similar bills have been enacted into law for other tribal health providers in Alaska. A hearing took place on February 4.
S.2735, the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act. The bill places about 265 acres in trust for the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians in California. A hearing took place on December 17, 2025.
H.R.681, 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.
H.R.2302, the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act
H.R.2388, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act
H.R.3620, the Southcentral Foundation Land Transfer Act of 2025
Immediately following the meeting, the committee will hold a hearing to examine the fiscal year 2027 budget request for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service. Two federal officials are providing testimony:
The Honorable William “Billy” Kirkland [PDF: Testimony] Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs
Department of the Interior
Washington, D.C. Mr. Clayton Fulton [PDF: Testimony]
Chief of Staff
Indian Health Service
Department of Health and Human Services
Washington, D.C
Accompanied by Ms. Jillian Curtis, Director, Office of Finance and Accounting, Indian Health Service The committee hasn’t met in Washington, D.C., since an oversight hearing and legislative hearing on tribal water rights March 11. However, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), the Republican chair, hosted two field hearings on May 5 and May 6 to discuss disaster and relocation efforts among Native communities in Alaska.
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Notice
Business Meeting to consider several bills & Oversight Hearing to “Examine the President’s Budget Requests for Fiscal Year 2027 for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service” (May 20, 2026)
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