Shivwits Band of Paiutes Jurisdictional Clarity Act
- Bill Number
- S. 1508
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Native Americans
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-17: Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-18T12:03:19Z
Official Summary
Shivwits Band of Paiutes Jurisdictional Clarity Act
This bill confers legal jurisdiction to the State of Utah over certain civil cases involving the Shivwits Band of Paiutes. It also allows the tribe to lease its land held in trust. The tribe is located in southwestern Utah.
Specifically, the bill confers jurisdiction to the State of Utah over any civil cause of action (1) to which the Shivwits Band of Paiutes is a party, and (2) that arises on or within Indian lands. Under the bill, Indian lands are lands of the tribe that are (1) held in trust for the benefit of the tribe, or (2) subject to restrictions by the United States against alienation (i.e., sale or transfer).
Additionally, the bill specifies that any cause of action arising from any contract or agreement (including a lease) to which the tribe is party or that affects or arises on these Indian lands shall be deemed a civil cause of action. Therefore, this bill allows the tribe and third parties to resolve contract disputes in state court.
The bill also authorizes the tribe to lease its land held in trust for a term of up to 99 years.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-17: Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.
- 2025-04-29: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
- 2025-04-29: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Shivwits Band of Paiutes Jurisdictional Clarity Act — issued 2025-04-29 — PDF (4 pages)