118 HR 6368 IH: Indian Buffalo Management Act U.S. House of Representatives 2023-11-13 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I118th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 6368IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESNovember 13, 2023Mr. LaMalfa (for himself, Mrs. Peltola, Mrs. Torres of California, Mr. Cole, and Mr. Obernolte) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural ResourcesA BILLTo assist Tribal governments in the management of buffalo and buffalo habitat and the reestablishment of buffalo on Indian land.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Indian Buffalo Management Act.

2.

Definitions

In this Act:(1)

Buffalo

The term buffalo means an animal of the genus: Bison, species: bison, subspecies: bison.(2)

Buffalo habitat

The term buffalo habitat means Indian land that is managed for buffalo.(3)

Department

The term Department means the Department of the Interior.(4)

Indian land

The term Indian land has the meaning given the term in paragraph (2) of section 2601 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (25 U.S.C. 3501), except that, in that paragraph, the term Indian reservation shall be considered to have the meaning given the term Indian reservation in paragraph (3) of that section, without regard to the date specified in paragraph (3) of that section.(5)

Indian Tribe

The term Indian Tribe has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).(6)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.(7)

Tribal organization

The term Tribal organization means a legally established organization of Indians that is chartered under section 17 of the Act of June 18, 1934 (commonly known as the Indian Reorganization Act; 25 U.S.C. 5124) with demonstrable experience in the restoration of buffalo and buffalo habitat on Indian land.

3.

Buffalo resource management

(a)

Program established

The Secretary shall establish a program within the Department for the purposes of—(1)promoting and developing the capacity of Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations to manage buffalo and buffalo habitat;(2)promoting the ability of Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations to protect, conserve, and enhance populations of buffalo that are owned by Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations;(3)promoting the development and use of buffalo and buffalo habitat for the maximum practicable benefit of Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations; and(4)promoting the inclusion of Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations in Department, international, national, regional, and local decision making and forums regarding buffalo and buffalo habitat.(b)

Contracts and grants authorized

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with, and award grants to, Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations to enable the Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations to—(A)plan, conduct, or implement a buffalo restoration or management program;(B)plan and execute commercial activities related to buffalo or buffalo products; or(C)carry out other activities relating to buffalo restoration and management.(2)

No diminishment of laws and regulations

Nothing in this subsection diminishes any Federal or State law (including regulations) regarding diseased buffalo or buffalo that escape from Indian land.(c)

Technical assistance

The Secretary shall provide technical assistance to an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization that enters into a contract or cooperative agreement or receives a grant under this section to assist the Indian Tribe or Tribal organization in—(1)carrying out the activities of a buffalo or buffalo habitat restoration or management program; and(2)implementing the activities described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of subsection (b)(1).(d)

Sunset

The program established under this section shall terminate on September 30, 2030.

4.

Consultation; coordination

(a)

Consultation

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and on an ongoing basis thereafter, the Secretary shall consult with Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations on initiatives of the Department that affect buffalo or buffalo habitat, including efforts of the Department to contain or eradicate diseased buffalo.(b)

Coordination

The Secretary shall develop a policy relating to buffalo and buffalo habitat management activities on Indian land, in accordance with—(1)the goals and objectives described in buffalo management programs approved by Indian Tribes; and(2)Tribal laws and ordinances.

5.

Protection of information

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall not disclose or cause to be disclosed any information provided to the Secretary by an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization that is identified by the Indian Tribe or Tribal organization as culturally sensitive, proprietary, or otherwise confidential.

6.

Buffalo from Federal land

(a)

In general

The Secretary may enter into an agreement with an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization to dispose of surplus buffalo on Federal land administered by the Department, as applicable, by transporting such buffalo onto Indian land.(b)

Application

An Indian Tribe or Tribal organization may submit to the Secretary an application to receive buffalo described in subsection (a) at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.(c)

Waiver of charges

The Secretary may waive any charges for the buffalo described in subsection (a), including any deposit or payment for services as described in section 10.2 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation).

7.

Treaty rights retained

Nothing in this Act alters, modifies, diminishes, or extinguishes the treaty rights of any Indian Tribe.