WASHINGTON—The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, chaired by Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), today passed the following two bills at its business meeting:
- S. 886, the Indian Water Rights Settlement Extension Act, as amended, sponsored by Senators Tom Udall (D-NM), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM); and
- S. 2071, A bill to repeal certain obsolete laws relating to Indians, sponsored by Senators Mike Rounds (R-SD), James Lankford (R-OK), and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ).
Senator Hoeven described each bill:
“S. 886 would extend the Reclamation Water Settlements Fund that was established in the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009,” said Hoeven. “This settlement fund pays for certain water supply infrastructure projects, as described in Congressionally-approved Indian water right settlement agreements. This fund is set to begin in 2020 and expire in 2034.”
“S. 2071 would repeal eleven laws relating to Indians that are considered obsolete, have not been enforced by the federal government for several decades, and are inconsistent with federal policy,” said Hoeven. “This bill is intended to help mend relations and further respect the relationship between federal and tribal governments.”
One amendment in the nature of a substitute was filed to S. 886. The Committee adopted this amendment during its consideration of the bill. No amendments were filed to S. 2071. The Committee passed S. 886, as amended, and S. 2071. Both bills will now move to the Senate floor for consideration.
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