Haskell Indian Nations University Improvement Act
- Bill Number
- S. 2140
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Native Americans
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-23: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Last Updated
- 2026-01-15T07:10:52Z
AI-Generated Summary
Haskell Indian Nations University Improvement Act
Purpose
This legislation establishes Haskell Indian Nations University as a federally chartered corporation to operate independently from the Bureau of Indian Education. It aims to improve educational quality for Indian students, enable private fundraising through charitable tax status, and affirm the Federal Government's treaty and trust responsibilities to Indians.
Key Provisions
- Establishment and Governance: Creates the University as a federally chartered entity with succession until dissolved by Congress. A 15-member Board of Trustees (14 voting members appointed by the President with Senate confirmation, plus 1 nonvoting student body president) oversees policy, management, and operations. Initial appointments prioritize representatives from Bureau of Indian Affairs regions, Kansas Indian Tribes, alumni, and at-large Tribal members.
- Operations: The Board sets policies, establishes academic departments, and manages subdivisions. The University provides tuition-free education leading to degrees and certificates. A President, appointed by the Board, serves as chief executive.
- Staffing and Employment: Exempts most University positions from Title 5 civil service rules. Employees receive Federal-style health and retirement benefits with mandatory contributions. Indian Tribe members receive hiring and enrollment preferences. Background checks are required for staff.
- Endowment and Funding: Establishes a trust fund for endowment contributions, including an initial $5 million Federal contribution and matching requirements for private funds. Authorizes at least $27 million annually in discretionary appropriations, with forward funding provisions.
- Property and Transfers: Conveys all legacy institution property and functions to the University. The Secretary of the Interior provides grants and assistance. The University maintains Lawrence, Kansas, as its headquarters.
- Accountability: Requires annual reports to Congress, budget proposals, master facilities plans, and audits by the Interior Inspector General. The University must comply with specific Federal laws on religious freedom, archaeology, and criminal provisions.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Shifts the University from direct Bureau of Indian Education management and appropriations oversight to an independent federally chartered corporation with its own Board.
- Introduces authority to accept private donations via charitable tax status and to secure loans using endowment funds.
- Terminates existing civil service positions at the University upon enactment while preserving certain employee rights during transition.
- Amends 54 U.S.C. § 200402 to include the University in National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund eligibility.
- Establishes separate accounting for non-Federal funds and limits the University's tort liability to that of a Federal agency under the Federal Tort Claims Act.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Reduces direct administrative role of the Bureau of Indian Education and Department of the Interior in daily operations while maintaining grant funding and oversight responsibilities. The Office of Management and Budget reviews budget proposals.
- Citizens and Students: Supports continued tuition-free education for approximately 900 Indian students from over 140 Tribes. May improve facilities, programs, and campus safety through independent management and private funding.
- International Relations: No direct effects identified, though the legislation reinforces Federal treaty obligations to Indian Tribes.
- Fiscal: Authorizes ongoing appropriations with an initial $5 million endowment contribution; encourages private fundraising to supplement Federal support.
Main Stakeholders
- Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations (including the four Kansas Tribes), who participate in nominations and benefit from educational services and preferences.
- Current and prospective University students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
- Bureau of Indian Education and Department of the Interior.
- Congress (through appropriations, oversight committees, and appointments).
- The President (via Board appointments and removal authority).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Affirms the Federal trust responsibility to Indians through a new governance model intended to address past management issues at the University.
- Creates a hybrid entity with corporate powers (e.g., contracting, suing) while retaining Federal-like tax exemptions, liability limits, and benefit structures.
- Includes fiduciary duties for Board members and mechanisms for removal, background checks, and grievance appeals to balance independence with accountability.
- Political context notes congressional inquiries into prior University administration, with the legislation responding by increasing autonomy and private-sector involvement.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Sen. Mullin, Markwayne [R-OK], Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS]
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-23: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 2025-06-23: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Haskell Indian Nations University Improvement Act — issued 2025-06-23 — PDF (50 pages)