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Tribal Self-Determination and Co-Management in Forestry Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-3444| House 
| Updated: 6/10/2025
Jared Huffman

Jared Huffman

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (6)
Yassamin Ansari (Democratic)Maxine Dexter (Democratic)Sarah Elfreth (Democratic)Val T. Hoyle (Democratic)Joe Neguse (Democratic)Teresa Leger Fernandez (Democratic)

Federal Lands Subcommittee, Agriculture Committee, Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, known as the Tribal Self-Determination and Co-Management in Forestry Act of 2025 , seeks to enhance Tribal self-determination and co-management of federal lands. It mandates that federal land management agencies within the Department of the Interior, including the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and Bureau of Indian Affairs, develop Tribal Co-Management Plans within one year of enactment. These plans will cover activities, services, or functions on lands identified as historically, culturally, or geographically related to Indian Tribes, ensuring consistency with existing land management plans and environmental laws. Furthermore, the bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to ensure that employees involved in these co-management plans receive training. This training will focus on incorporating indigenous knowledge and practices , educating employees on Tribal history relevant to project areas, and fostering a general understanding of the trust relationship between the U.S. government and Indian Tribes. The Secretary is authorized to consult with Indian Tribes in developing and implementing this training. The legislation also grants the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to enter into agreements with Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations for performing specific Forest Service activities on National Forest System lands. These activities, which include forest and grassland management, research, restoration, and recreational services, must be carried out on lands historically, culturally, or geographically related to the Tribe. The Secretary is required to enter into at least five such agreements within four years of the Act's enactment, utilizing various agreement authorities including the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. When considering proposals for these agreements, the Secretary of Agriculture must evaluate potential effects on other Indian Tribes and existing rights, while also giving special consideration to factors such as the Tribe's historical and cultural affiliation with the land, indigenous knowledge, and the working relationship with the Forest Service. The bill outlines limitations, prohibiting agreements that delegate nondelegable functions, make Tribes reliant on state governments for funding, or conflict with existing stewardship contracts. Denials of requests must include specific reasons and potential courses of action for the Tribe. The bill allows for payments to Tribes or Tribal organizations for carrying out these agreements, with provisions for reducing reporting burdens and protecting Tribal data sovereignty . The Secretary must consult with Tribes to integrate indigenous knowledge into decision-making and safeguard its integrity. Periodic reviews and modifications of agreements are mandated, especially after natural disasters. Finally, the Act authorizes an appropriation of $50,000,000 for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to support these Forest Service provisions, clarifying that it does not diminish existing Tribal rights or limit other agreements.
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Timeline
May 15, 2025
Introduced in House
May 15, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jun 3, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
Jun 10, 2025
Subcommittee Hearings Held
  • May 15, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • May 15, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • June 3, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.


  • June 10, 2025
    Subcommittee Hearings Held

Native Americans

Advisory bodiesCongressional oversightEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchFederal-Indian relationsGovernment information and archivesIndian lands and resources rightsIntergovernmental relationsLand use and conservationNatural disasters

Tribal Self-Determination and Co-Management in Forestry Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-3444| House 
| Updated: 6/10/2025
This bill, known as the Tribal Self-Determination and Co-Management in Forestry Act of 2025 , seeks to enhance Tribal self-determination and co-management of federal lands. It mandates that federal land management agencies within the Department of the Interior, including the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and Bureau of Indian Affairs, develop Tribal Co-Management Plans within one year of enactment. These plans will cover activities, services, or functions on lands identified as historically, culturally, or geographically related to Indian Tribes, ensuring consistency with existing land management plans and environmental laws. Furthermore, the bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to ensure that employees involved in these co-management plans receive training. This training will focus on incorporating indigenous knowledge and practices , educating employees on Tribal history relevant to project areas, and fostering a general understanding of the trust relationship between the U.S. government and Indian Tribes. The Secretary is authorized to consult with Indian Tribes in developing and implementing this training. The legislation also grants the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to enter into agreements with Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations for performing specific Forest Service activities on National Forest System lands. These activities, which include forest and grassland management, research, restoration, and recreational services, must be carried out on lands historically, culturally, or geographically related to the Tribe. The Secretary is required to enter into at least five such agreements within four years of the Act's enactment, utilizing various agreement authorities including the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. When considering proposals for these agreements, the Secretary of Agriculture must evaluate potential effects on other Indian Tribes and existing rights, while also giving special consideration to factors such as the Tribe's historical and cultural affiliation with the land, indigenous knowledge, and the working relationship with the Forest Service. The bill outlines limitations, prohibiting agreements that delegate nondelegable functions, make Tribes reliant on state governments for funding, or conflict with existing stewardship contracts. Denials of requests must include specific reasons and potential courses of action for the Tribe. The bill allows for payments to Tribes or Tribal organizations for carrying out these agreements, with provisions for reducing reporting burdens and protecting Tribal data sovereignty . The Secretary must consult with Tribes to integrate indigenous knowledge into decision-making and safeguard its integrity. Periodic reviews and modifications of agreements are mandated, especially after natural disasters. Finally, the Act authorizes an appropriation of $50,000,000 for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to support these Forest Service provisions, clarifying that it does not diminish existing Tribal rights or limit other agreements.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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Timeline
May 15, 2025
Introduced in House
May 15, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jun 3, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
Jun 10, 2025
Subcommittee Hearings Held
  • May 15, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • May 15, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • June 3, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.


  • June 10, 2025
    Subcommittee Hearings Held
Jared Huffman

Jared Huffman

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (6)
Yassamin Ansari (Democratic)Maxine Dexter (Democratic)Sarah Elfreth (Democratic)Val T. Hoyle (Democratic)Joe Neguse (Democratic)Teresa Leger Fernandez (Democratic)

Federal Lands Subcommittee, Agriculture Committee, Natural Resources Committee

Native Americans

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Advisory bodiesCongressional oversightEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchFederal-Indian relationsGovernment information and archivesIndian lands and resources rightsIntergovernmental relationsLand use and conservationNatural disasters