Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions

STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS -- (Senate - February 16, 2005)

By Mr. DORGAN (for himself and Mr. INOUYE):

S. 412. A bill to reauthorize the Native American Programs Act of 1974; to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a bill that would reauthorize the Native American Programs Act. This Act provides authority for the social and economic development grants that are so critical to Indian Country. Senator INOUYE joins me in sponsoring this measure.

The Native American Programs Act of 1974 is administered by the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) within the Department of Health and Human Services. The purpose of the Act is to promote economic and social self-sufficiency by assisting Native American institutions and tribal governments to exercise control and decision making over their own resources; to foster the development of stable, diversified local tribal economies and economic activities that provide jobs, promote economic well-being, and reduce dependency on public funds and social services; and to support access, control and coordination of services and programs that safeguard the health and well-being of native people that are essential to their communities.

The ANA awards annual grants to tribal entities on a competitive basis and provides many native communities with critical startup funds for social, governance, economic, environmental, and cultural programs that are developed by the communities themselves. The program addresses key needs for native communities by helping them begin and expand businesses, enhancing tribal ability to promote natural environments, and preserving and restoring native languages. The Native American Programs Act supports Native American self-governance in the development of economic, social, and governance capacities of Native American communities.

I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the RECORD.

There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows:

S. 412

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. NATIVE AMERICAN PROGRAMS ACT OF 1974.

(a) INTRA-DEPARTMENTAL COUNCIL ON NATIVE AMERICAN AFFAIRS.-Section 803B(d)(1) of the Native American Programs Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 2991b-2(d)(1)) is amended by striking "There" and all that follows and inserting the following: "There is established in the Office of the Secretary the Intra-Departmental Council on Native American Affairs. The Commissioner and the Director of the Indian Health Service shall serve as co-chairpersons of the Council. The co-chairpersons shall advise the Secretary on all matters affecting Native Americans that involve the Department.".

(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.-Section 816 of the Native American Programs Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 2992d) is amended-

(1) by striking subsections (a) through (c) and inserting the following:

"(a) IN GENERAL.-There are authorized to be appropriated-

"(1) to carry out section 803(d), $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010; and

"(2) to carry out provisions of this title other than section 803(d) and any other provision having an express authorization of appropriations, such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010.

"(b) LIMITATION.-Not less than 90 percent of the funds made available to carry out this title for a fiscal year (other than funds made available to carry out sections 803(d), 803A, 803C, and 804, and any other provision of this title having an express authorization of appropriations) shall be expended to carry out section 803(a).";

(2) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection ©; and

(3) by striking subsection (e).

© REPORTS.-Section 811A of the Native American Programs Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 2992-1) is amended-

(1) by striking the section heading and all that follows through "each year," and inserting the following:

"SEC. 811A. REPORTS.

"Every 5 years, the Secretary shall"; and

(2) by striking "an annual report" and inserting "a report".

SEC. 2. RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

Section 7205(a)(3) of the Native Hawaiian Education Act (20 U.S.C. 7515(a)(3)) is amended-

(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (K) and (L) as subparagraphs (L) and (M), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (J) the following:

"(K) research and educational activities relating to Native Hawaiian law;".

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