[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 161 (Wednesday, October 18, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1969]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




A BILL TO AMEND THE ALASKA NATIVE CLAIMS SETTLEMENT ACT, AND FOR OTHER 
                                PURPOSES

                                 ______


                             HON. DON YOUNG

                               of alaska

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 18, 1995

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce a bill to 
amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 at the request of 
the Alaska Federation of Natives. This bill is the result of the work 
of the legislative council of the Alaska Federation of Natives to 
correct existing technical problems with the Alaska Native Claims 
Settlement Act [ANCSA]. I am introducing the bill to begin the review 
process and to receive input of the State of Alaska, various Federal 
agencies, Native entities, and individuals affected by this bill. I 
fully expect the input process to refine and expand the legislation, 
and invite such input.
  I expect to work closely with George Miller, my ranking minority 
member to resolve any differences we may have with specific provisions 
in the bill. Further, we look forward to receiving further suggestions 
for additions to this package and working with Alaska Senators Ted 
Stevens and Frank Murkowski to perfect the package. Ultimately, it is 
our intention to investigate and resolve controversial provisions which 
would prevent final passage of this bill.
  This bill makes a number of technical changes to ANCSA which 
addresses issues not anticipated at the time of passage of ANCSA. As 
the legislation is designed to resolve specific problems, it contains 
several provisions, and will probably contain more as a result of the 
hearing and input process. To offer a flavor of the nature of the 
legislation, a few illustrations are in order.
  For example, the bill would reinstate approximately 50,000 acres 
which were taken away by an Executive order in 1929 to the Elim Native 
Corp. This provision would reinstate and allow the Elim Native Corp. to 
receive their land entitlement selections.
  Another provision would extend the exemption period from estate and 
gift tax for stock through its period of inalienability.
  Another would amend ANCSA to correct an inconsistency in current 
Federal law by allowing regional corporations to elect to acquire oil, 
gas, and coal estates reserved to the Federal Government beneath native 
allotments surrounded by or adjacent to subsurface lands convey to the 
corporations pursuant to section 12(a) or (b) of ANCSA.
  Mr. Speaker, I offer this bill at this time to begin the process of 
reviewing each of these important provisions and others which affect 
Alaskans. I welcome input to add to, subtract from and amend this 
proposal so that a non-controversial substitute may be offered at a 
later date.

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