Shivwits Band of Paiutes Jurisdictional Clarity Act

This bill clarifies who handles certain civil court cases on the Shivwits Band of Paiutes’ lands in southwestern Utah. It lets Utah state courts hear civil cases when the tribe is a party and the dispute starts on the tribe’s trust or restricted lands, making it clearer where people and businesses can file lawsuits and resolve contract issues. It also makes contract disputes tied to these lands eligible for federal court, which can help in bigger, cross‑state deals. At the same time, it does not take away the tribe’s sovereign immunity unless the tribe chooses to waive it, keeping that protection in place .

The bill also allows the tribe to lease its trust land for up to 99 years, which can support long‑term housing, business, and infrastructure projects on tribal land .

• Who is affected: People, companies, and the Shivwits Band involved in civil disputes or contracts on tribal lands held in trust or restricted by the U.S. .
• What changes: Utah courts can hear these civil cases; related contract disputes can also go to federal court; long‑term land leases (up to 99 years) are allowed .
• Important protection: The tribe keeps its sovereign immunity unless it decides to waive it .