May 10, 2026 to May 16, 2026

This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning tribal affairs, the BIA, reservation lands, tribal statistical areas, and treaty rights. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to see GR activities in areas related to Tribal Affairs? Don't miss this week's updates in Social Issues and Environment. Also consider subscribing to our Indigenous Affairs - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Senate Indian Affairs Committee: Business Meeting and Budget Hearing: The Senate Indian Affairs Committee will meet May 20 at 628 Dirksen for a business meeting on bills authorizing long-term leasing and land-to-trust transfers, followed by a hearing on the FY27 budget request for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service.
• House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs: Legislative Hearing: A legislative hearing is scheduled for May 21 at 1324 Longworth to review H.R. 1010 (BADGES for Native Communities Act), H.R. 7954 (Indian Buffalo Management Act), H.R. 8483 (Barona Land Transfer Act), and H.R. 8658 (Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act).

Federal Government News

HEARTH Act Approval for Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians of California

The Assistant Secretary–Indian Affairs has approved the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians of California Leasing Ordinance under the HEARTH Act, authorizing leases up to 75 years without further federal approval. This process grants the Tribe autonomy to lease tribal trust lands for various purposes, provided leasing regulations comply with federal standards, including environmental reviews. Federal regulations preempt state and local taxation on improvements, leasehold interests, and activities affecting leased tribal trust lands. The Department of the Interior retains oversight through approval of leasing regulations and technical assistance. Improvements and leasehold interests on these lands may be subject to tribal taxation by the Buena Vista Rancheria.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

The University of Michigan completed an inventory under NAGPRA, identifying one ancestral individual with cultural affiliation to several Michigan-based Tribes including the Bay Mills Indian Community and Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. The remains, discovered in museum collections in 2018, have no known hazardous treatments. Requests for repatriation will be accepted until at least June 11, 2026, with competing claims resolved by the university, and joint repatriation requests treated as a single submission.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Notice of Inventory Completion: California State University, Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA

California State University, Channel Islands has completed its NAGPRA inventory regarding human remains and associated funerary objects, collected from Camarillo, CA, the ancestral homeland of the Chumash people. Collections include materials dating from 1000–1500 CE, gathered through projects from 2009–2022 by Dr. Delaney. The university has identified the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians as the affiliated Tribe. Written repatriation requests are due by June 11, 2026, with the university handling competing submissions.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Agency Information Collection: Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program and Native Entities Grant Program

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is accepting comments for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program and Native Entities Grant Program information collection request through OMB. The collection supports application evaluation and program alignment, encompassing Indian Tribes, Alaska Native entities, and Native Hawaiian organizations, with an estimated 7,200 burden hours among 400 respondents. The request is mandated by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and other federal statutes, with comments accepted via www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain until mid-June.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Notice of Intended Repatriation: Bureau of Indian Affairs and Arizona State University

Bureau of Indian Affairs and Arizona State University's Center for Archaeology and Society Repository plan repatriation of 28 cultural items from Gila Farms sites in Pinal County, Arizona. The items include unassociated funerary objects and sacred objects, removed during fieldwork in 1977, with affiliation to several Arizona Tribes including the Ak-Chin Indian Community and Gila River Indian Community. Requests for repatriation are open until June 11, 2026, with competing requests managed jointly.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

BADGES for Native Communities Act

H.R. 1010, the BADGES for Native Communities Act, was referred to the House Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs. The bill addresses key safety and data gaps affecting Native communities.

Sources: www.congress.gov

National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

Senate Resolution 726 designates May 5, 2026, as 'National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.' The resolution was agreed to in the Senate without amendment and includes a preamble.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Barona Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Act of 2026

H.R. 8483, the Barona Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Act of 2026, was referred to the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs for further consideration.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act of 2025

The Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act of 2025 (H.R. 741) was ordered to be reported in the nature of a substitute, amended, by unanimous consent, advancing legislative actions regarding Indian health.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Tribal Warrant Fairness Act

H.R. 3041, the Tribal Warrant Fairness Act, was ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute by the House Committee on the Judiciary, reflecting continued review of tribal criminal justice matters.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• How a ‘Model’ for Climate Migration Became a Cautionary Tale: The Isle de Jean Charles relocation raises questions about tribal land and climate migration policy outcomes.

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