This bill, titled the Tribal Forest Protection Act Amendments Act of 2025, significantly modifies the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004. It expands the definition of "Indian forest land or rangeland" to include land with a cover of grasses, brush, or similar vegetation, or land formerly forested but capable of restoration. The definition also now encompasses land held by Alaska Native Corporations under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. These amendments broaden the scope of eligible projects, allowing them not only to protect but also to restore Indian forest land or rangeland , and to carry out protection or restoration projects on Federal land adjacent to these areas. The bill revises the criteria for projects on Federal land, emphasizing those with special geographic, historical, or cultural significance to an Indian tribe. Such projects are prioritized if the Federal land is adjacent to Indian forest land or rangeland, or a watershed, and poses a threat to tribal lands. To support these expanded provisions, the bill authorizes $15,000,000 to be appropriated annually for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031.
Tribal Forest Protection Act Amendments Act of 2024
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-23.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 76.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8689; text: CR S8689)
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Held at the desk.
Native Americans
AlaskaAlaska Natives and HawaiiansFederal-Indian relationsForests, forestry, treesIndian lands and resources rights
Tribal Forest Protection Act Amendments Act of 2025
USA119th CongressS-719| Senate
| Updated: 12/15/2025
This bill, titled the Tribal Forest Protection Act Amendments Act of 2025, significantly modifies the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004. It expands the definition of "Indian forest land or rangeland" to include land with a cover of grasses, brush, or similar vegetation, or land formerly forested but capable of restoration. The definition also now encompasses land held by Alaska Native Corporations under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. These amendments broaden the scope of eligible projects, allowing them not only to protect but also to restore Indian forest land or rangeland , and to carry out protection or restoration projects on Federal land adjacent to these areas. The bill revises the criteria for projects on Federal land, emphasizing those with special geographic, historical, or cultural significance to an Indian tribe. Such projects are prioritized if the Federal land is adjacent to Indian forest land or rangeland, or a watershed, and poses a threat to tribal lands. To support these expanded provisions, the bill authorizes $15,000,000 to be appropriated annually for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031.