The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs holds a legislative hearing on December 17, 2025.

Four bills are on the agenda:

S.236, a bill to authorize the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe to lease their lands for up to 99 years

without seeking federal approval.

S.1508, the Shivwits Band of Paiutes Jurisdictional Clarity Act. The bill addresses civil jurisdiction issues for the Shivwits Band

of Paiutes in Utah and authorizes the tribe to lease its lands for up to 99 years without seeking federal approval.

S.1513, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act. The bill places about 1,082 acres in Washington in trust for the Lower

Elwha Klallam Tribe.

S.2735, the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act of 2025. The bill places about 265 acres in California in trust for the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians.

Witness List:

Ms. Trina Locke

Directorate of Environmental and Natural Resources

Office of Trust Services

Bureau of Indian Affairs

Department of the Interior

Washington, DC

The Honorable Brian Weeden

Chairman

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe

Mashpee, Massachusetts

The Honorable Tina Gonzales

Chairwoman

Shivwits Band of Paiutes

Ivins, Utah

The Honorable Frances Charles

Chairwoman

Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe

Port Angeles, Washington

The Honorable Regina Cuellar

Chairwoman

Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians

Placerville, California