Bill > HR5696

This bill, known as the STREAMLINE Act, aims to improve Tribal self-governance by allowing Indian Tribes with self-governance realty programs to conduct their own land appraisals for trust land acquisitions. Specifically, the bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to revise federal regulations to accept Tribal appraisals in lieu of federal appraisals for land acquisitions within or contiguous to a Tribe's reservation, provided the Tribe has an Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) contract or compact that includes real estate services and the appraisal meets professional standards. The bill defines key terms such as "Tribal appraisal" and "self-governance realty program" and mandates that the Department of the Interior play a ministerial role in such transactions, essentially just confirming receipt and recording the Tribal certification. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary to track and publish processing times for Tribal versus federal appraisals and mandates a Comptroller General report evaluating the Act's implementation after three years. The legislation emphasizes that Tribal appraisals meeting specific criteria will be deemed compliant with the Secretary's fiduciary and trust responsibilities, while ensuring that environmental and title review requirements remain unchanged.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Government Affairs

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5696/all-info