Legislative Activity

The "Unrecognized Southeast Alaska Native Communities Recognition and Compensation Act" allows Alaska Natives in Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee, and Wrangell to form Urban Corporations and receive settlement land under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. It ensures these new Urban Corporations' shareholders remain eligible for distributions from the Regional Corporation for Southeast Alaska. The Act authorizes the conveyance of approximately 23,040 acres of federal land to each Urban Corporation and addresses land use considerations, including subsistence, recreation, and existing special use authorizations. It also enables the establishment of settlement trusts to support the health, education, and welfare of trust beneficiaries and preserve Native heritage.

The Chugach Alaska Land Exchange Oil Spill Recovery Act of 2025 authorizes a land exchange between the Chugach Alaska Corporation and the U.S. government. This exchange aims to consolidate federal ownership of lands acquired through the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Habitat Protection Program. In return for approximately 231,000 acres of Chugach's subsurface land, the federal government will convey about 65,374 acres of federal land to the Corporation. The Secretary of the Interior is directed to complete this exchange within one year of enactment.

The Protect Future Dividends Act amends the federal tax code to exclude payments received from state sovereign wealth funds from an individual's gross income. This legislation ensures that residents receiving periodic distributions from state-maintained permanent funds are not subject to federal income tax on those payments.

This Act directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey approximately 180 acres of surface land within the Tongass National Forest to the Cape Fox Village Corporation. The conveyance fulfills Cape Fox's land entitlement under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, while also waiving certain selection requirements. The transfer requires reserving a public access easement across the land for continued public use.

The Fishing Vessel Financing Improvement Act of 2026 expands federal loan guarantees and direct loan programs to support the U.S. fishing industry and seafood trade. This legislation specifically modifies financing rules to include the purchase of used fishing vessels and sets new funding limits based on vessel type. Furthermore, it ensures that new financing remains consistent with the wise use and conservation of vital fishery resources.

The Bycatch Reduction and Research Act of 2026 mandates significant research into Alaska salmon life history, ecosystem impacts, and fishing gear effectiveness. It establishes new partnerships and funding mechanisms to develop and test technology aimed at reducing bycatch and minimizing damage to marine habitats. Furthermore, the bill streamlines requirements for electronic monitoring and enhances transparency regarding observer coverage in federal fisheries.

This bill, the Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Extension Act of 2025, extends the deadline for the Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Program. Specifically, it amends existing law to change the application period from five years to ten years. This extension provides more time for eligible veterans to participate in the program.

The Airport Regulatory Relief Act of 2025 allows nonprimary airports serving smaller aircraft to utilize state highway specifications for pavement construction and improvement projects. This legislation aims to streamline infrastructure development by permitting the use of state standards, provided the Secretary of Transportation determines that safety will not be compromised.

This bill seeks to reauthorize the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System through fiscal year 2029. It specifically authorizes funding for the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to operate and maintain the system.

This bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to transfer specific parcels of federal land in Anchorage, Alaska, to the Southcentral Foundation (SCF). The transfer is generally made without monetary consideration, contingent on SCF using the land exclusively for health care and related services. Furthermore, the Act shields SCF from liability for pre-existing environmental contamination on the conveyed property.

This joint resolution expresses the disapproval of Congress regarding a specific rule issued by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) concerning the "Central Yukon Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan." By invoking the Congressional Review Act, this action immediately nullifies the BLM's submitted rule. Consequently, the Central Yukon Resource Management Plan will not take effect as a regulation.

This joint resolution seeks to disapprove the Bureau of Land Management's rule regarding the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision. If enacted, this disapproval would prevent the submitted rule from taking effect.

The Public Lands Military Readiness Act of 2025 extends the military withdrawal period for key training lands in Alaska, New Mexico, and California until 2051. This legislation also corrects the official acreage descriptions for the McGregor Range and Fort Irwin military lands. The bill ensures continued federal land availability necessary for Department of Defense training operations.

The Cold Weather Diesel Reliability Act of 2025 mandates that the EPA require a cold weather operability additive in diesel fuel between November and March to prevent fuel gelling above 5°F. Additionally, the Act allows manufacturers to temporarily suspend emissions-related engine shutdowns below 32°F when necessary for safety or essential transport. It also grants year-round exemptions from Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) system requirements for vehicles operating in extremely cold or high-latitude regions.

This bill amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act to allow for the importation of polar bear trophies from sport hunts in Canada. It mandates the Secretary of the Interior to issue permits for trophies legally harvested before specific dates in 1997 or 2008. These provisions apply even if the polar bear was later listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.

The Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act clarifies federal law regarding authentic Alaska Native articles of handicraft. This bill amends the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to permit the possession and sale of these handicrafts, even if they contain nonedible migratory bird parts. The exception applies unless the bird part was taken illegally or wastefully. The Act also requires the State Department to establish procedures with treaty partners to reflect this clarification.

The Alaska’s Right To Ivory Sales and Tradition Act (ARTIST Act) creates specific exemptions under federal law for Alaska Natives residing on the coasts of the North Pacific or Arctic Oceans. This bill defines authentic Alaska Native handicrafts made using traditional skills and allows coastal Natives to take marine mammals for subsistence or to create and sell these authentic crafts. Furthermore, the Act prohibits states from restricting the import, sale, or possession of marine mammal ivory or bone incorporated into these certified Alaska Native handicrafts.

This joint resolution expresses the disapproval of Congress regarding a specific rule issued by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) concerning the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Integrated Activity Plan. By utilizing the Congressional Review Act process, this action invalidates the BLM's recently finalized decision. Consequently, the disapproved rule will have no force or effect.

The Alaska Native Settlement Trust Eligibility Act temporarily changes eligibility rules for certain federal assistance programs for aged, blind, or disabled individuals. For five years following enactment, distributions or interests from a Settlement Trust will not count against an individual when determining their eligibility for these specific benefits. This aims to ensure that Alaska Natives receiving trust distributions can still qualify for necessary aid.

The Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2025 clarifies and updates the process for land held in trust by the State of Alaska for the establishment of Native village municipal corporations under ANCSA. This Act allows Village Corporations to reclaim land previously conveyed into trust if a municipal corporation was never formed, subject to existing public rights-of-way. Furthermore, it eliminates any future requirement for Village Corporations to convey additional land for the purpose of establishing these municipal entities.