Nicholas Begich (R-AK)
Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2025
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Became Public Law No: 119-23.
Became law
Passed both chambers and was signed by the President, or became law without a signature.
Nothing more in Congress: it is law. When it takes effect depends on the dates written into it — some parts start at once, others a year or more later.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House 412–1
- Passed Senate voice vote
- To President
- Became Law
The Senate by voice vote (members called out yes or no together): no senator's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the ``Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2025'', amends the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. It changes how land is handled regarding Village Corporations and the State of Alaska. Specifically, it addresses the conveyance of land in trust for the establishment of Municipal Corporations. The Act provides a process for the dissolution of certain trusts so land can revert to Village Corporations. It also ensures that Village Corporations are not required to convey additional land for future Municipal Corporations.
Yes
- Scored +8
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill significantly benefits Native American communities by allowing the reversion of land to their Village Corporations.
- Scored +6
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The bill promotes equity by allowing Alaska Native Village Corporations to regain control of lands previously held in trust for unestablished municipalities.
- Scored +5
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
The bill clarifies land ownership and management by allowing land to revert to Village Corporations.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill reduces federal/state oversight by facilitating the return of land to local Village Corporations.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to pass The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not. Passed 412 yes · 1 no
02/04/2025 · Roll call 28 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Land Reversion to Village Corporations: If a Village Corporation previously conveyed land in trust to the State for a future Municipal Corporation that was never established, the land can revert to the Village Corporation through a formal resolution by the corporation and its residents (Section 2, subparagraph (C)(i)).
-
Protection of Existing Rights: When land reverts to a Village Corporation, it remains subject to valid existing rights and necessary rights-of-way for public roadway access (Section 2, subparagraph (C)(iii)(aa)).
-
Requirement for Local Consent: The dissolution of a land trust requires a formal resolution by both the Village Corporation and the residents of the Native village (Section 2, subparagraph (C)(i)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Assumption of Obligations: Upon the reversion of land, the Village Corporation must assume all obligations of the applicable trust regarding any existing lease or use agreements (Section 2, subparagraph (C)(iii)(bb)).
-
Subject to Existing Rights: Reverting land is still subject to any valid existing rights created by the applicable trust (Section 2, subparagraph (C)(iii)(aa)).
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 bill significantly benefits Native American communities by allowing the reversion of land to their Village Corporations.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill promotes equity by allowing Alaska Native Village Corporations to regain control of lands previously held in trust for unestablished municipalities.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill clarifies land ownership and management by allowing land to revert to Village Corporations.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill reduces federal/state oversight by facilitating the return of land to local Village Corporations.
- Public Law (7/8/2025)
The text as it became law
- Enrolled Bill
The final version, on its way to the President
Arrived from the other chamber; nothing has been done to it there yet
- 7/7/2025
- Signed by President.
- Became Public Law No: 119-23.
- 7/3/2025
- Presented to President.
- 6/23/2025
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 6/18/2025
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
- Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S3459)
- 2/5/2025
- Received in the Senate, read twice.
- 2/4/2025
- 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 Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 412 - 1 (Roll no. 28). (text: CR H445-446)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 412 - 1 (Roll no. 28). (text: CR H445-446)
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H450-451)
- At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 43.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H445-447)
- Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 1/3/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.