Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2023

12/18/2024, 9:05 AM

Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2023

This bill removes the requirement that Alaska Native village corporations must convey lands to Alaska to be held in trust for future municipal governments. 

The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) requires all Alaska Native village corporations that receive land under the ANCSA to convey certain lands to the existing municipality in the village or, if no municipality exists, to Alaska in trust for any municipality that may be established in the future. This bill removes the requirement for conveyance. Additionally, the bill allows village corporations to regain title to the lands held in trust by dissolving the trust through formal resolution by the village corporation and the residents of the Native village.   

The Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2023, also known as Bill 118 hr 6489, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to restore and transfer certain lands in Alaska to Alaska Native villages that were previously excluded from the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971.

The bill aims to correct past injustices and provide Alaska Native villages with the opportunity to reclaim and manage their traditional lands. It would allow for the transfer of lands that were originally intended for Alaska Native villages but were not included in the original settlement act.

If passed, the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2023 would provide Alaska Native villages with greater control over their lands and resources, allowing them to better preserve their cultural heritage and promote economic development within their communities. Overall, this bill seeks to address historical land disputes and empower Alaska Native villages to govern their lands in a way that benefits their communities and preserves their way of life.
Congress
118
Number
HR - 6489
Introduced on
2023-11-28
# Amendments
0
Sponsors
+5
Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

11/28/2023
Text
PDF
XML

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2023

This bill removes the requirement that Alaska Native village corporations must convey lands to Alaska to be held in trust for future municipal governments. 

The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) requires all Alaska Native village corporations that receive land under the ANCSA to convey certain lands to the existing municipality in the village or, if no municipality exists, to Alaska in trust for any municipality that may be established in the future. This bill removes the requirement for conveyance. Additionally, the bill allows village corporations to regain title to the lands held in trust by dissolving the trust through formal resolution by the village corporation and the residents of the Native village.   

The Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2023, also known as Bill 118 hr 6489, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to restore and transfer certain lands in Alaska to Alaska Native villages that were previously excluded from the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971.

The bill aims to correct past injustices and provide Alaska Native villages with the opportunity to reclaim and manage their traditional lands. It would allow for the transfer of lands that were originally intended for Alaska Native villages but were not included in the original settlement act.

If passed, the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2023 would provide Alaska Native villages with greater control over their lands and resources, allowing them to better preserve their cultural heritage and promote economic development within their communities. Overall, this bill seeks to address historical land disputes and empower Alaska Native villages to govern their lands in a way that benefits their communities and preserves their way of life.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to provide that Village Corporations shall not be required to convey land in trust to the State of Alaska for the establishment of Municipal Corporations, and for other purposes.
Policy Areas
Native Americans
Potential Impact
Alaska•
Alaska Natives and Hawaiians•
Indian lands and resources rights•
Land transfers

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary6/27/2024

Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2023

This bill removes the requirement that Alaska Native village corporations must convey lands to Alaska to be held in trust for future municipal governments. <...

Latest Action12/16/2024
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 720.