Bill > S2554

This bill addresses the historical omission of five southeastern Alaska Native communities (Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee, and Wrangell) from the original Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). The bill authorizes the creation of Urban Corporations for these communities, allowing Native residents to form corporations and receive settlement land. Specifically, each community will be entitled to approximately 23,040 acres of federal land, with some specific provisions for land conveyance, such as phased transfers and considerations for existing mining claims. The bill ensures that Native residents of these communities will receive 100 shares of Settlement Common Stock in their respective Urban Corporations, and those who inherited shares from eligible Natives will also receive proportional stock. Additionally, the bill maintains the shareholders' eligibility to receive distributions from the Regional Corporation for Southeast Alaska and establishes provisions for settlement trusts to support community health, education, welfare, and cultural preservation. The legislation includes $12.5 million in grants to support implementation, and emphasizes that the land conveyances will not affect existing rights or impact other Native Corporation land entitlements.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2554/all-info