WASHINGTON—The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, chaired by Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), today passed the following two bills at its business meeting:
S. 1211, the Addressing Underdeveloped and Tribally Operated Streets (AUTOS) Act, as amended, sponsored by Senators John Hoeven (R-ND), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Martha McSally (R-AZ); and
H.R. 1388, the Lytton Rancheria Homelands Act of 2019, sponsored by Representative Jared Huffman (D-CA-2).
Senator Hoeven highlighted each bill in his opening remarks:
“The AUTOS Act would provide additional resources at the Department of Transportation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs so that tribes can maintain, repair, replace, or reconstruct damaged roads and bridges,” said Hoeven. “These roads and bridges are used to transport kids to their school, send emergency and first responders to reach those in need, and provide economic opportunity to tribes.”
“I have filed an amendment, in the nature of a substitute to the AUTOS Act. This amendment increases authorization funding for the BIA road maintenance program, at the request of the National Congress of American Indians and Indian Tribes. The substitute amendment also makes technical and conforming changes, at the suggestion of the Department of Transportation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs,” continued Hoeven.
“H.R. 1388 will take 511 acres of land into trust for the benefit of the Lytton Rancheria to provide housing and governmental facilities, and economic development opportunities for its tribal community,” said Hoeven.
One amendment in the nature of a substitute was filed to S. 1211. The Committee adopted this amendment during its consideration of the bill. No amendments were filed to H.R. 1388. The Committee passed S. 1211, as amended, and H.R. 1388 by voice vote.
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