May 24, 2026 to May 30, 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

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Senate Indian Affairs Committee Hearing: Tribal Land and Claims Legislation: The Senate Indian Affairs Committee will hold an open hearing on June 3, 2026, in Dirksen Senate Office Building Room 628, examining several bills including S.630 (payments to Quapaw Nation), S.1514/H.R.2389 (Washington Quinault land into trust), S.2796 (San Bernardino land exchange), S.2871/H.R.2400 (Federal lands for Pit River Tribe), S.3219 (New Mexico Pueblos land trust), and S.3475/H.R.2916 (Akwesasne Mohawk Land Claim settlement).
• House Natural Resources Subcommittee Hearing: Fisheries, Sea Otters, and Offshore Regulation: On June 3, 2026, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries will meet in Longworth House Office Building Room 1324 to discuss H.R. 2406 (NOAA Sexual Harassment Prevention), H.R. 8401 (subsistence Alaska sea otter products), H.R. 8542 (Offshore Parity Act), and H.R. 8904 (marine national monument fishing regulation amendments).

Federal Government News

Indian Child Welfare Act: Updated List of Designated Tribal Agents

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) released a notice detailing the names and addresses of current designated Tribal agents for service of notice under the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). The update, effective May 26, 2026, supersedes the July 11, 2025 list. The regulations permit federally recognized Indian Tribes to designate an agent other than the Tribal chairman for service of notice concerning child-custody proceedings. Notice procedures remain unchanged, requiring registered or certified mail with return receipt to parents, Indian custodians, and Tribes, as well as notification to appropriate BIA Regional Directors. The ICWA Designated Agent List will be made available on the Indian Affairs website and updated every three months.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Agency Information Collection: Native American Tribal Insignia Database Comment Request

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued a notice requesting public comments on the renewal of its information collection related to the Native American Tribal Insignia Database (0651-0048). The database, established under the Trademark Law Treaty Implementation Act of 1998 and Senate directives, records official insignias of federally and state-recognized tribes to aid trademark examiners in verifying Section 2(a) compliance and preventing false associations with tribes. Tribes voluntarily submit insignia via written application, tribal resolution, and signed statements. Inclusion does not confer legal rights or trademark protection. The deadline for comments is June 29, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NMFS Determination: Yurok Tribe Tribal Resource Management Plan

The National Marine Fisheries Service finalized its review of the Yurok Tribe's Tribal Resource Management Plan (TRMP) under the Endangered Species Act Tribal 4(d) Rule. The plan covers harvest and monitoring activities for Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast Coho Salmon within the Klamath River on Yurok lands. NMFS found the TRMP consistent with ESA survival and recovery requirements, provided that monitoring, evaluation, and reporting measures in the plan are adhered to. Public comments were received and addressed in the final determination. Future harvest and monitoring activities must comply with impact limits established in the TRMP.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Notice of Inventory Completion: Missouri Department of Natural Resources

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources completed a NAGPRA inventory involving remains from at least 29 individuals and 211 associated funerary objects excavated or donated between the 1950s and 2026 from Pulaski County sites. The objects include shell beads, ceramic sherds, lithic fragments, and faunal bone. Cultural affiliation for the remains and objects is determined with The Osage Nation. Written repatriation requests may be submitted by eligible Indian Tribes or organizations by June 29, 2026. The Department will resolve competing requests.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Missouri, Museum of Anthropology, Columbia, MO

The University of Missouri, Museum of Anthropology has completed inventories of human remains from Pemiscot County, MO, representing seven individuals from four collections, including the Barkshire Collection. Cultural affiliation is recognized for the Quapaw Nation and Osage Nation. No associated funerary objects were found in these collections, and no hazardous substances were used in treatment. Written repatriation requests must be submitted by June 29, 2026. If multiple requests are received, the Museum will determine the appropriate recipient.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Bill 9035: Reclamation Obligations for Oil, Gas, and Coal Companies in Bankruptcy

Bill number 9035 proposes amendments to Title 11 of the U.S. Code, requiring oil, gas, and coal companies undergoing bankruptcy to meet environmental reclamation obligations. The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee and additionally to the Committee on Natural Resources for appropriate consideration.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 9023: Amendments to Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977

Bill number 9023 would strengthen controls on the environmental impacts of surface coal mining by amending the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. The latest action saw the bill referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Sources: www.congress.gov

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