Sponsors (8)
The bill substantially expands tribal authority, resources, and protections to restore buffalo populations and associated cultural, economic, and ecological benefits on tribal lands, but does so at the cost of increased federal spending, added administrative complexity, potential conflicts with non‑tribal stakeholders, reduced transparency in some cases, and uncertainty because the programs sunset after seven years.
Indigenous tribal governments gain clearer and broader authority to manage buffalo and habitat on their lands, strengthening tribal sovereignty and government-to-government decisionmaking.
Tribal treaty rights and legal protections are explicitly preserved, reducing legal uncertainty and protecting existing entitlements.
Supports tribal economic development by providing funding, technical assistance, and opportunities for buffalo-related commercial activities (meat, products, mobile processing), creating jobs and local revenue in tribal and rural communities.
Implementing restoration grants, capacity programs, technical assistance, and potential fee waivers will likely increase federal spending and administrative costs that may affect taxpayers or require budget offsets.
New authorities, consultation requirements, altered definitions, and application procedures create administrative complexity and transitional implementation burdens for the Department, tribes, and state/local partners, potentially slowing actions and increasing agency workloads.
Expanding herds and tribal management could produce land‑use conflicts and coordination tensions with non‑tribal landowners, state agencies, and local jurisdictions, and could complicate uniform disease‑control measures.
Based on analysis of 9 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes the Interior Secretary to partner with Tribes to restore, manage, transfer, and commercially use buffalo and buffalo habitat, including grants and technical assistance.
Introduced March 17, 2026 by Jeff Hurd · Last progress March 17, 2026
Creates a federal framework for partnering with Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations to restore, manage, and increase buffalo (Bison bison bison) and buffalo habitat on Indian land. It directs the Secretary of the Interior to build tribal capacity, provide grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and technical assistance, consult with Tribes on buffalo-related initiatives, transfer surplus federal buffalo to Tribes, and protect tribal confidentiality for culturally sensitive information. The Act preserves treaty rights and sets a seven‑year sunset for its authorities.