House Rules Committee Denies Democratic Amendments to Tribal Energy Bill

The House Rules Committee rejected three Democrats amendments to the “Native American Energy Act” (HR 538), a bill introduced by Rep. Don Young (R-AK) which aims to streamline tribal energy regulations.  

One amendment, offered by Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) would have allowed the Interior Department to resume taking lands into trust for all federally recognized tribes.  The bill is set for a vote today in the House.  Environmental organizations are opposed to Section 4 of the bill to limit public comment on environmental impacts of proposed federal actions on Indian lands.  RCRC expressed its concern about the provision to the Natural Resources Committee, resulting in the language being amended to allow state and local governments to also comment on environmental impacts, as allowed in current law.  Indian gaming activities would not be subject to the restriction on public comments.  Similar legislation has not been introduced in the Senate.