This bill, known as the Helping Our People Act of 2026, amends the Puyallup Tribe of Indians Settlement Act of 1989. Its primary purpose is to clarify the management and accessibility of the Tribe's trust fund, ensuring greater tribal control over these resources. Specifically, it explicitly states that the Puyallup Tribe of Indians may withdraw amounts from the Puyallup Tribe of Indians Settlement Trust Fund under a management plan approved by the Secretary, in accordance with the American Indian Trust Fund Management Reform Act of 1994. Furthermore, the bill adds a savings provision to the original Act. This provision ensures that the United States can continue to engage with the Puyallup Tribe under any future federal laws, treating them on the same basis as other federally recognized Indian Tribes.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Native Americans
Helping Our People Act of 2026
USA119th CongressS-3769| Senate
| Updated: 2/3/2026
This bill, known as the Helping Our People Act of 2026, amends the Puyallup Tribe of Indians Settlement Act of 1989. Its primary purpose is to clarify the management and accessibility of the Tribe's trust fund, ensuring greater tribal control over these resources. Specifically, it explicitly states that the Puyallup Tribe of Indians may withdraw amounts from the Puyallup Tribe of Indians Settlement Trust Fund under a management plan approved by the Secretary, in accordance with the American Indian Trust Fund Management Reform Act of 1994. Furthermore, the bill adds a savings provision to the original Act. This provision ensures that the United States can continue to engage with the Puyallup Tribe under any future federal laws, treating them on the same basis as other federally recognized Indian Tribes.