What is Senate Committee on Indian Affairs working on?

Recent hearings

• Oversight hearings to examine Federal policies governing Indian water rights settlements, including S.953, to provide for the settlement of the water rights claims of the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe.

  Mar 11, 2026

  Meeting

• Hearings to examine the Small Business Administration Native 8(a) program.

  Feb 10, 2026

  Meeting

• Hearings to examine S.2098, to provide for the conveyance of certain property to the Southcentral Foundation located in Anchorage, Alaska, S.1055, to amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to modify the notification requirement for emergency contract health services for certain beneficiaries, and S.699, to amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to address liability for payment of charges or costs associated with the provision of purchased/referred care services.

  Feb 4, 2026

  Meeting

• Hearings to examine Title II of the draft of the Native Children's Commission Implementation Act, focusing on justice and safety for native children.

  Jan 28, 2026

  Meeting

• Business meeting to consider S.3383, to amend the Act of August 9, 1955, to make improvements to that Act; to be immediately followed by hearings to examine 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), S.1508, 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, S.1513, to take certain Federal land in the State of Washington into trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, S.2735, to take certain Federal land in the State of California into trust for the benefit of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians.

  Dec 17, 2025

  Meeting

Bills in committee

• S 4276: A bill to reauthorize the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996.

  Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK] · Mar 26, 2026

  In Committee
• HR 3073: Shivwits Band of Paiutes Jurisdictional Clarity Act

  Rep. Maloy, Celeste [R-UT-2] · Apr 29, 2025

  In Committee
• S 953: Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025

  Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ] · Mar 11, 2025

  Active
• S 4053: A bill to take certain land in the State of California into trust for the benefit of the Pechanga Band of Indians, and for other purposes.

  Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA] · Mar 11, 2026

  In Committee
• S 3994: PRIME Meat Processing in Indian Country Act

  Sen. Mullin, Markwayne [R-OK] · Mar 4, 2026

  In Committee
• HR 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

  Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9] · Jan 23, 2025

  In Committee
• HR 5910: To authorize leases of up to 99 years for land held in trust for federally recognized Indian Tribes.

  Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large] · Nov 4, 2025

  In Committee
• S 3859: A bill to amend the Catawba Indian Tribe of South Carolina Land Claims Settlement Act of 1993 with respect to future membership in the Catawba Indian Nation.

  Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC] · Feb 12, 2026

  In Committee

Jurisdiction

The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs has jurisdiction to study the unique problems of American Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native peoples and to propose legislation to alleviate these difficulties. These issues include, but are not limited to, Indian education, economic development, land management, trust responsibilities, health care, and claims against the United States. Additionally, all legislation proposed by Members of the Senate that specifically pertains to American Indians, Native Hawaiians, or Alaska Natives is under the jurisdiction of the Committee.