Search Results for agency_names:"Indian Affairs Bureau"

The Bureau of Indian Affairs of the Interior Department announced amendments to the Pueblo of Santa Clara Liquor Code, which were adopted by the Tribal Council on December 13, 2024. These amendments aim to regulate the introduction, sale, and consumption of alcohol within Santa Clara Indian Lands to promote economic and social goals while protecting public health, safety, and welfare. The updated Liquor Code outlines various regulations, such as types of licenses, selling hours, and prohibitions against selling alcohol to individuals under the legal drinking age. Additionally, a percentage of alcohol sales revenue will fund programs for alcoholism prevention and treatment. The changes will officially take effect on April 17, 2025.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is seeking public comments on their proposal to renew an information collection regarding probate of Indian estates, excluding members of the Osage Nation and Five Civilized Tribes. This information is essential for compiling probate files that help determine heirs and distribute trust assets after a person's death. Feedback is requested on the necessity, burden, and methods of this data collection to ensure its proper and efficient use. Comments are to be submitted by January 8, 2025, and are publicly accessible, though personal information may not be withheld.

The Department of the Interior has announced programs and fiscal targets for 2025 that can be part of self-governance funding agreements with Indian Tribes, excluding the Bureau of Indian Affairs. These agreements allow Tribes to manage certain federal programs that relate to managing resources like lands and waters. The document lists eligible programs from different offices such as the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service, and highlights the objective to strengthen tribal sovereignty, self-determination, and collaboration in managing federal lands. Self-governance agreements have been made with several Tribes across various areas.

The Department of the Interior proposes updates to the regulations governing the probate of property held in trust or restricted status for American Indians. These updates aim to make the probate process more efficient by introducing an expedited procedure for smaller estates, improving communication through electronic notices, and clarifying the reasons for reopening probate cases. Additionally, the updates seek to streamline the "purchase at probate" process and address various identified issues, such as gaps in intestacy distribution and the handling of minor estate inventory corrections. The public is invited to comment on the proposed changes, which are designed to close probate cases faster, bringing more certainty to the distribution of estates.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has announced adjustments to the electric power rates for the Mission Valley Power Project (MVP), which will take effect in March 2025 and 2026. Despite an initial proposal for rate changes in 2024, those were delayed and won't be implemented. The public had the opportunity to comment on these changes, but no feedback was received. MVP provides electric services to areas in and around the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana, and the adjustments were made following federal guidelines, including consultation with Tribal governments.