SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SJM 8023

                            AS OF JANUARY 29, 1992

Brief Description:  Requesting that Congress recognize Washington tribes not officially recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

SPONSORS: Senators Snyder, Conner, Johnson, Talmadge, McMullen, A. Smith and Skratek

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS

Staff:  Barbara Howard (786‑7410)

Hearing Dates: January 30, 1992

BACKGROUND:

In order for Indian tribes to receive the services and benefits available from the federal government, they must be officially acknowledged by the U.S. Department of the Interior.  The Code of Federal Regulations provides specific procedures which must be followed to obtain such acknowledgment.

For several years, a number of small tribes in western Washington have been unsuccessful in seeking recognition.  They believe that federal legislation is needed to improve the current process for gaining that status.

SUMMARY:

Congress is requested to confer the status of federally recognized tribes upon the Chinook, Cowlitz, Duwamish, Samish, Snohomish, Snoqualmie and Steilacoom Tribes of Washington, and that federal legislation be enacted guaranteeing to all tribes the right to seek federal recognition under a clear, unbiased, and timely administrative procedure.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested