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H.R. 812: Indian Trust Asset Reform Act

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H.R. 812: Indian Trust Asset Reform Act

114th Congress · introduced 2015-02-09 · Native Americans · Latest: Became Public Law No: 114-178.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2015-02-09 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Simpson, Michael K. [R-ID-2] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Became Public Law No: 114-178. (final step reached)
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Indian Trust Asset Reform Act

Plain summary

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on February 24, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Indian Trust Asset Reform Act TITLE I--RECOGNITION OF TRUST RESPONSIBILITY (Sec. 102) This bill reaffirms the federal government's duty to promote tribal self-determination. TITLE II--INDIAN TRUST ASSET MANAGEMENT DEMONSTRATION PROJECT Indian Trust Asset Management Demonstration Project Act of 2016 (Sec. 203) The Department of the Interior must establish an Indian trust asset management demonstration project that allows tribes to propose Indian trust asset management plans. To be approved by Interior, these plans must establish objectives and priorities for trust assets and allocate sufficient funding for asset management to meet the objectives and priorities. (Sec. 205) Interior may approve a trust asset management plan that allows the Indian tribe to enter into, approve, and carry out a surface leasing transaction or forest land management activity without Interior's approval, under certain conditions. The United States is not liable for losses that result from: (1) a forest land management activity or lease under a trust asset management plan, or (2) management standards under a trust asset management plan that are less-stringent than Interior otherwise requires. TITLE III--IMPROVING EFFICIENCY AND STREAMLINING PROCESSES (Sec. 303) Interior may establish an Under Secretary for Indian Affairs who is to report directly to the Secretary of the Interior and coordinate with the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians (OST) to ensure an orderly transition of the functions of the OST to an agency or bureau within Interior. (Sec. 304) Interior must prepare a transition plan and timetable for the termination of the OST. (Sec. 305) Appraisals and valuations of Indian trust property must be administered by a single administrative entity within Interior. Interior must establish minimum qualifications for individuals to prepare appraisals and valuations of Indian trust property. An appraisal or valuation by a qualified person is considered final without being reviewed or approved by Interior. (Sec. 306) Representatives of entities that advise Interior on Indian program budget or funding issues may make recommendations regarding the use of savings realized from the transfer of the functions of the OST.

Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Indian Trust Asset Reform Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law)

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The strongest published arguments

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Simpson, Michael K. [R-ID-2] · 11 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 812, Indian Trust Asset Reform Act (2016-02-12)

Cosponsors on this site

Tom Cole (R-OK), Suzan K. DelBene (D-WA), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Paul A. Gosar (R-AZ), Dan Newhouse (R-WA)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Simpson, Michael K. [R-ID-2] reported raising $1.4 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (2)
Appraisal
An estimate of what property is worth. In Texas, county appraisal districts set the value that property taxes are based on.
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong114-hr812 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong114 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong114