February 28 2025.
The Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs held a hearing on Indian Trust Asset Management this week. Subcommittee Chairman Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.) 25 issued the following statement in response:
"Today’s hearing was a continuation of our subcommittee's critical work to elevate tribal autonomy while reiterating the trust responsibility of the federal government toward American Indians and Alaska Natives. I want to thank all of our tribal witnesses for traveling here today to speak on this important issue and look forward to working with them further as we implement solutions that empower tribes to thrive."
Background
In 2016, Congress enacted the Indian Trust Asset Reform Act (ITARA) to reaffirm the federal government's trust responsibility while promoting tribal management of their own trust assets through the Indian Trust Management Demonstration Program. The ITARA Demonstration Program authorization expires in 2026.
Today's hearing examined the impact of ITARA and the Indian Trust Asset Management Demonstration Program. Only a few tribes have submitted plans for the ITARA Demonstration Program since its creation 10 years ago, despite ITARA’s intended purpose of granting tribes more direct authority to manage their trust assets.
As Congress considers the merits of reauthorizing the program, members must examine the scope of the trust assets allowed to be included in an Indian Trust Asset Management Plan and the bureaucratic red tape that prohibits tribes from fully participating in this program.
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