Bill > HR4388

This bill, the American Indian Trust Responsibility Review Act of 2014, establishes the American Indian Trust Review Commission to conduct a comprehensive review of the United States' trust relationship with federally recognized Indian tribes. The bill finds that previous recommendations from a 1977 report have not been fully implemented and that the trust relationship has evolved, necessitating a re-examination of how federal agencies administer their constitutional trust responsibilities, which can sometimes conflict, ultimately harming tribal beneficiaries. The Commission, composed of 12 members appointed by the President, House leadership, and Senate leadership, will study the legal basis of the trust relationship, federal agency practices, the management of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the feasibility of tribes assuming more governmental functions, tribal needs in areas like education and healthcare, and the role of state and local governments. The Commission will hold public hearings, gather information from various government entities, and ultimately submit a report with findings and recommendations to Congress and the President within two years, with a possible one-year extension, and will be terminated 30 days after submitting its report. The Federal Advisory Committee Act, which governs advisory committees, will not apply to this Commission.