July 05, 2026 to July 11, 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

• House Natural Resources Committee Markup – Indian Land and Water Rights Legislation: The House Natural Resources Committee will mark up nine bills on July 15, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., including H.R. 726 (Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act), H.R. 2827 (Indian land dispute settlements in Illinois), and H.R. 8658 (Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act) at Longworth House Office Building, Room 1324.
• House Natural Resources Subcommittee Oversight Hearing – MMIP Crisis Initiatives: The Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee will hold a hearing titled 'Innovative Technologies and Initiatives to Tackle the MMIP Crisis in Indian Country' on July 14, 2026 at 2:15 p.m. in Longworth House Office Building, Room 1324.

Federal Government News

BIA Review of Tribal Revenue Allocation Plans

The Bureau of Indian Affairs announced a renewal of information collection for Tribal Revenue Allocation Plans under the Paperwork Reduction Act. Tribes seeking approval for per capita distributions of net gaming revenues must submit plans outlining statutory compliance, allocation breakdowns, eligibility, tax notifications, and protections for shares allocated to minors and legal incompetents. The review affects approximately 20 Tribes annually with an estimated total burden of 2,000 hours. Public commentary is open until September 8, 2026, via Regulations.gov or postal submission to Indian Affairs, RACA, in Albuquerque. The data collection supports oversight of revenue distribution in line with 25 CFR part 290. Steven Mullen, Information Collection Clearance Officer, is the point of contact for inquiries.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Initiates Repatriation of Cultural Items

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection intends to repatriate eight unassociated funerary objects originating from two sites in Sacramento County—CA-SAC-112 and CA-SAC-113—as part of its compliance with NAGPRA regulations. The objects, primarily lithic materials, were collected during archaeological surveys conducted in the 1980s and 1990s and have since been accessioned at departmental headquarters in Sacramento. Cultural affiliation has been identified with the Ione Band of Miwok Indians of California and the Wilton Rancheria, California. Written requests for repatriation may be submitted by eligible parties through August 7, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Repatriation Activities at Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University

The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology announced its intent to repatriate 70 lots of unassociated funerary objects collected from sites in eastern Tennessee, including Sullivan County caves and stone graves, to descendant Tribes under NAGPRA provisions. Items include ceramic vessels, stone tools, shell beads, faunal remains, and pipes, with removals dating from 1872 to 1985 by various collectors. Cultural affiliation has been established with the Cherokee Nation, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, The Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma. The museum is accepting written requests for repatriation through August 7, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Completion of Inventory: History Colorado Repatriation Notices

History Colorado completed inventories for human remains believed archaeological in age from counties across Colorado including Adams, Arapahoe, Denver, and Pueblo. Remains represent 34 individuals with no associated funerary objects. Cultural affiliation was confirmed with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation, and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. Repatriation could proceed after August 10, 2026. Requests from Tribes or eligible parties must be directed to Chance Ward, NAGPRA Collections Specialist.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

University of California, Berkeley Announces Repatriation of Objects of Cultural Patrimony

UC Berkeley's Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology will repatriate 36 lots of objects of cultural patrimony—worked stone, faunal remains, and ceramic fragments—originally removed from Indian Wells, Riverside County, CA and catalogued as CA-RIV-64. Collection records span from 1907 and 1938, with some items potentially subjected to preservation chemicals before 1960. The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians of the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation, California was identified as the group of cultural affiliation. Requests for repatriation may be submitted up to August 7, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Less Bureaucracy, Better Tribal Education Act

Bill 9604, the Less Bureaucracy, Better Tribal Education Act, has been introduced and referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. The bill presents measures aimed at improving tribal education administration by reducing bureaucratic hurdles. Further committee consideration is pending.

Sources: www.congress.gov

CANADA Act

Bill 9601, the CANADA Act, was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means on July 6, 2026. The bill concerns cross-border regulatory and fiscal issues relevant to US-Canada relations. The text is undergoing committee review.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Common Sense 250 Act of 2026

Bill 9600, titled the Common Sense 250 Act of 2026, was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. The legislation introduces provisions impacting public lands and natural resources, including issues pertinent to tribal claims and management.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Big Tech Is Now Targeting Native American Land for Massive Data Centers: Tech companies pursue Native American land for new large-scale data centers.
• Decades Late, Museum Scrambles to Return 2,700 Native Remains: A museum initiates overdue efforts to repatriate thousands of Native American ancestral remains.

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