H.R. 5515

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To amend the Indian Trust Asset Reform Act.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · September 19, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Hurd of Colorado · Committee: Committee on Natural Resources

Table of contents

• H.R. 5515
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Amendments to Indian Trust Asset Reform Act

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the Indian Trust Asset Reform Amendment Act.

SEC. 2. Amendments to Indian Trust Asset Reform Act

• (a) Definitions
  • Section 202 of the Indian Trust Asset Reform Act () is amended— 25 U.S.C. 5611
    • by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
    • by adding at the end the following:
• (b) Indian Trust Asset Management Project
  • Section 203 of the Indian Trust Asset Reform Act () is amended to read as follows: 25 U.S.C. 5612
    • (a) In general
      • The Secretary shall carry out an Indian trust asset management project in accordance with this title.
    • (b) Participation
      • (1) In general
        • To participate in the project, an Indian tribe shall submit to the Secretary a proposed Indian trust asset management plan as described in section 204 of this title, and a copy of a resolution or other appropriate action by the governing body of the Indian tribe in support of or authorizing the submission.
      • (2) Tribal organizations
        • A tribal organization may participate in the Project on behalf of an Indian tribe if the tribal organization—
          • submits a proposed Indian trust asset management plan that identifies the Indian tribe, the trust assets of which are included in the plan;
          • submits a copy of a resolution or other appropriate action by the governing body of the Indian tribe that is the owner of the trust assets included in the Indian trust asset management plan that supports or authorizes the tribal organization to carry out the plan; and
          • complies with the other provisions of this title.
• (c) Indian trust asset management plan
  • Section 204 of the Indian Trust Asset Reform Act () is amended— 25 U.S.C. 5613
    • in subsection (a)—
      • by striking paragraph (1);
      • by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (1) and (2) respectively; and
      • in paragraph (1), as so redesignated—
        • (i) in subparagraph (D)(i), by striking may includeand inserting may include, but are not limited to,; and
        • (ii) in subparagraph (G), by striking planand inserting plan, including regulations administered by the head of another Federal department or agency;
    • in subsection (b)(1)(B)(i), by striking (a)(2)and inserting (a)(1);
    • by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e);
      • (d) Amendment of approved plan
        • (1) In general
          • An Indian tribe, or a tribal organization participating in an Indian trust asset management plan on behalf of an Indian tribe under section 203(b)(2) of this title, may propose amendments to the Indian trust asset management plan that the Secretary has approved or that is otherwise in effect pursuant to this title; and
        • (2) Applicable provisions
          • The Secretary shall review any proposal by an Indian tribe, or a tribal organization administering an Indian trust asset management plan pursuant to section 203(b)(2), using the criteria set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of this section.
    • by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
      • (f) Eligibility for funding
        • An Indian tribe operating under an approved Indian trust asset management plan shall continue to be eligible for, and shall not be disqualified from receiving, Federal funding to support the Indian tribe’s activities under an approved Indian trust asset management plan, in the same manner and subject to the same considerations as Indian tribes without an Indian trust asset management plan.
    • by adding at the end the following:
• (d) Trust asset management
  • Section 205 of the Indian Trust Asset Reform Act () is amended— 25 U.S.C. 5614
    • in subsection (a)—
      • by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (3) and (4) respectively;
        • (2) Forest management plan
          • The term forest management plan has the meaning given the term in Section 304 of the National Indian Forest Resources Management Act of 1990 (). 25 U.S.C. 3103
      • by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
        • (5) Trust assets
          • The term trust assets means—
            • trust lands, natural resources, trust funds, or other assets held by the Federal Government in trust for Indian tribes and individual Indians; or
            • any resource that is, or has previously been, included in an integrated resources management plan or other management plan approved by the Secretary.
      • by adding at the end the following:
    • in subsection (b)—
      • by striking carry outand all that follows through and inserting would require;
      • in subparagraph (B)—
        • (i) by striking with respect to forestand inserting with respect to forest management plans and forest;
        • (ii) in clause (ii)(II)(aa), by striking the public isand all that follows through and inserting the proposed; and
        • (iii) in clause (ii)(II)(bb)—
        • by striking public commentsand inserting comments from interested parties; and
        • by striking forest landand inserting forest management plan or forest land;
      • (c) Types of transactions
        • At the discretion of the applicable Indian tribe, an Indian trust asset management plan may authorize the Indian tribe to manage any and all of that Indian tribe’s trust assets, and undertake any transactions and activities related thereto, including but not limited to adopting or amending a forest management plan, carrying out a surface leasing transaction, and carrying out a forest land management activity, and the Secretary shall defer to any such discretionary trust asset management decision by the Indian tribe to the extent such decision is consistent with both the Indian trust asset management plan and this section.
    • by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:
    • in subsection (f)—
      • by striking executes a surfaceand all that follows through and inserting pursuant to tribal regulations;
      • in paragraph (1), by striking the surface leasing transaction or forest land management activity documentsand inserting activity or transaction documents; and
      • in paragraph (2), by striking a surface leasing transaction, or forest land management activitiesand inserting or an activity or transaction related to a trust asset; and
    • in subsection (g)(1)(A), by striking the execution of any forest land management activityand inserting any activity or transaction related to a trust asset and undertaken by the Indian tribe.
• (e) Trust responsibility
  • Section 206(f) of the Indian Trust Asset Reform Act () is amended to read as follows: 25 U.S.C. 5615(f)
    • (f) Trust responsibility
      • Nothing in this title enhances, diminishes, or otherwise affects the trust responsibility of the United States to Indian tribes.