Nicholas Begich (R-AK)
Unrecognized Southeast Alaska Native Communities Recognition and Compensation Act
A Republican bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Received in the Senate.
Passed one chamber, waiting for the other to take it up
Passed one chamber, and the other has not yet sent it to a committee or put it on its calendar.
The other chamber will hand it to a committee, place it on its calendar, or leave it where it is. Nothing has been decided, and a bill can sit here indefinitely.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House voice vote
- Awaiting Senate
The House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together): no member's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Unrecognized Southeast Alaska Native Communities Recognition and Compensation Act. It addresses the past omission of five specific southeastern Alaska communities from eligibility under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. The legislation allows native residents in Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee, and Wrangell to organize as Urban Corporations. It provides these new corporations with settlement shares, distribution rights, and specific land conveyances. Additionally, the bill outlines rules for land management, public access, and easements related to the newly conveyed properties.
Yes· 3 of 11
- Scored +8
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The legislation directly benefits Southeast Alaska Natives by establishing Urban Corporations, share allocations, and land conveyances.
- Scored +6
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The bill addresses historical omissions by recognizing specific Alaska Native communities and granting them corporate status and land.
- Scored +4
Would children be better off under this?
Settlement trusts require that proceeds and income first support enrollees and descendants who are minor children or elders.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Creation of Urban Corporations: Section 3 allows Native residents in Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee, and Wrangell to organize as Urban Corporations. This provides these communities with formal corporate structures and representation under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.
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Shareholder Status and Stock Allocation: Section 4 ensures that individual Natives enrolled in these communities receive 100 shares of Settlement Common Stock in their respective Urban Corporation, or matching shares if received through inheritance. This grants individuals direct ownership stakes in their community corporations.
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Land Conveyances and Economic Resources: Section 6 authorizes the Secretary to convey the surface estate of approximately 23,040 acres of Federal land to each of the five Urban Corporations, along with subsurface estates to the Regional Corporation for Southeast Alaska. This provides the communities with significant land assets and resources.
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Support for Elders and Minors: Section 6 allows each Urban Corporation to establish a settlement trust to promote health, education, welfare, and cultural preservation. The proceeds and income from these trusts must first support enrollees and descendants who are elders or minor children.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Restrictions on Public Access and Commercial Activities: Section 6 places rules and potential restrictions on land conveyed to the Urban Corporations to ensure public safety or protect cultural resources. Additionally, guiding or outfitting special use authorizations issued by the Forest Service terminate upon land conveyance, which alters existing commercial operations and requires new authorizations with the Urban Corporations.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The legislation directly benefits Southeast Alaska Natives by establishing Urban Corporations, share allocations, and land conveyances. Would children be better off under this? — Settlement trusts require that proceeds and income first support enrollees and descendants who are minor children or elders. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Settlement trusts prioritize support for elders alongside minor children in the newly recognized communities. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Economic benefits and trust distributions can provide financial support to lower-income community members. Would retired people be better off under this? — Elder enrollees benefit directly from the prioritized provisions in the newly established settlement trusts. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill creates Urban Corporations for specific communities, empowering local urban residents.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill addresses historical omissions by recognizing specific Alaska Native communities and granting them corporate status and land. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Settlement trusts established by the new corporations will support health, education, and welfare for elders and minors.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The legislation facilitates mutual use agreements for regional transportation infrastructure and land development in Southeast Alaska. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill outlines structured land conveyances and public access easements for federal lands in Southeast Alaska.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — The establishment of Urban Corporations and land conveyances provide new economic resources and assets to Southeast Alaska Native communities.
- 6/3/2026
- Received in the Senate.
- 6/2/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3746-3749)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3746-3749)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 41.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3746-3749)
- Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 4/2/2026
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-579.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 499.
- 3/5/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
- 1/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/3/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Jeff HurdRepublican · Colorado