Shivwits Band of Paiutes Jurisdictional Clarity Act

This bill clarifies who handles civil lawsuits on the Shivwits Band of Paiutes’ land in southwestern Utah. It lets Utah state courts hear civil cases when the tribe is a party and the dispute happens on tribal land, which is land held in trust for the tribe or restricted from sale by the U.S. It also says that contracts and leases tied to that land, or involving the tribe, can be brought in federal court. The bill does not let people sue the tribe unless the tribe agrees. In addition, it lets the tribe lease its trust land for up to 99 years.

Key points:

• Who is affected: The Shivwits Band of Paiutes, people and businesses with contracts or leases on the tribe’s land in Utah.
• What changes: Utah courts can handle civil cases that involve the tribe and happen on tribal land; contract and lease disputes linked to that land can go to federal court; the tribe keeps its protection from lawsuits unless it agrees to be sued.
• Where this applies: The tribe’s “Indian lands,” meaning land held in trust for the tribe or restricted from sale.