A bipartisan bill in the Senate has been introduced to amend and improve the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA.)
The bill, introduced by Senators John Hoeven and Tom Udall is called the “The Practical Reforms and Other Goals to Reinforce the Effectiveness of Self-Governance and Self-Determination (PROGRESS) for Indian Tribes Act.” It would simplify and remove red tape from Interior Department rules on self-governance, and increase sovereignty, allowing tribes more say in administering federal programs. At present 270 tribes participate in the department’s self-governance programs.
Hoeven declared, “Self-governance empowers Indian tribes by reducing bureaucracy, promoting local decision-making and ultimately strengthening programs to better serve tribal communities.” He added, “This legislation builds on the foundation of successful tribal self-governance policy and makes key improvements to enhance efficient tribal administration of federal programs and services.”
One facet of this bill as it relates to Indian gaming would be that it would require that auditing principles be included tribal state compacts and clarify “final offers” in negotiating compacts.
