WASHINGTON – The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA), chaired by Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), today passed the following bills at its business meeting:
S. 772, the AMBER Alert in Indian Country Act of 2017, introduced by Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and co-sponsored by Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Jon Tester (D-MT) and Tom Udall (D-NM); and
S. 825, the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium Land Transfer Act of 2017, introduced by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).
During the business meeting, Senator Hoeven highlighted what each piece of legislation intends to accomplish:
“S. 772 intends to enhance tribal integration with existing state and regional AMBER alert systems, reauthorize the AMBER alert program, and promote the development of new communications technologies.
“S. 825 would require the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to transfer certain lands in Sitka, Alaska to the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium. This transfer would facilitate the Consortium’s ability to secure financing to carry out renovations and construction of health care facilities and improve services for Alaska Natives in the region.”
The SCIA held a listening session to examine both bills on May 10, 2017. The listening session was given the full faith and credit of a legislative hearing.
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