Don Young Doug LaMalfa Indian Buffalo Management Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7954
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Native Americans
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-21: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-24T08:07:27Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation aims to support Tribal governments in managing buffalo and buffalo habitat while facilitating the reestablishment of buffalo on Indian land. It seeks to strengthen the government-to-government relationship between the United States and Indian Tribes, enhance Tribal capacity for buffalo management, and promote cultural, subsistence, and economic benefits for Tribes.
Key Provisions
- The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to coordinate with Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations on buffalo management, including capacity building, protection of buffalo populations, and inclusion in decision-making forums.
- It authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants with Tribes and qualifying Tribal organizations for activities such as buffalo restoration programs, commercial uses of buffalo products, and deployment of mobile meat processing facilities.
- Technical assistance is required to help Tribes implement these programs.
- The Secretary must consult with Tribes on Department initiatives affecting buffalo or habitat, including disease control efforts, and develop policies aligned with Tribal management plans and laws.
- Sensitive Tribal information provided to the Secretary must be protected from disclosure.
- The Secretary may transfer surplus buffalo from Department-administered Federal land to Indian land, with possible waivers of associated charges.
- Treaty rights of Indian Tribes remain unchanged.
- Authority under the Act expires seven years after enactment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill introduces new mechanisms for Federal-Tribal cooperation on buffalo management, including grant and contract authority tailored to buffalo restoration and related commercial activities. It adds requirements for ongoing consultation and information protection not previously codified in this specific context. No major alterations to existing wildlife, land management, or Indian law statutes are specified, though it builds on frameworks like the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: Increases responsibilities for the Department of the Interior in coordination, technical support, and surplus buffalo transfers, potentially affecting resource allocation within the agency.
- Citizens and Tribes: Enables Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations to expand buffalo herds for cultural, health, and economic purposes, including subsistence use and commercial development.
- International relations: No direct effects identified.
- Disease management and escape prevention remain governed by existing Federal and State laws.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations with experience in buffalo restoration.
- The Department of the Interior and its Secretary.
- Members of Indian Tribes benefiting from cultural and economic opportunities.
- Entities involved in Federal land management or wildlife disease control.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The Act emphasizes government-to-government relations and Tribal self-determination in resource management. It includes explicit protections for culturally sensitive information and preserves all existing treaty rights. The seven-year sunset provision limits the duration of new authorities. No constitutional issues are addressed in the bill itself.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (12)
Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3], Rep. Fedorchak, Julie [R-ND-At Large], Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4], Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3], Rep. Cole, Tom [R-OK-4], Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5], Rep. Zinke, Ryan K. [R-MT-1], Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2], Rep. Wied, Tony [R-WI-8], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-21: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2026-05-12: Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs.
- 2026-03-17: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2026-03-17: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-17: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Don Young Doug LaMalfa Indian Buffalo Management Act — issued 2026-03-17 — PDF (9 pages)