Legislative Hearing to receive testimony on S.236, S.1508, S.1513 & S.2735

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

00:00 Opening Remarks - Sen Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Chair
03:44 Introduction of Frances Charles by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington)
07:57 Testimony of Trina Locke
11:18 Testimony of Brian Weeden
15:53 Testimony of Tina Gonzales
22:52 Testimony of Frances Charles
28:00 Testimony of Regina Cuellar
32:49 Q&A

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