A Democratic bill with 3 Republican cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Indian Buffalo Management Act. It assists Tribal governments in managing buffalo and buffalo habitat, and in reestablishing buffalo on Indian land. The Secretary of the Interior is directed to work with Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations to develop their capacity to manage buffalo and buffalo habitat. The bill authorizes contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants for Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations to plan and implement buffalo restoration programs, commercial activities, and meat processing facilities. The Secretary is also required to provide technical assistance, consult with Tribes on initiatives affecting buffalo, and coordinate management activities with Tribal goals and laws. Finally, the authority provided by the Act ceases to be effective seven years after its enactment.
Yes· 3 of 20
- Scored +7
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
Significantly benefits Indian Tribes by supporting buffalo restoration, economic development, and cultural preservation.
- Scored +5
Does this protect the freedom to practise a religion?
Protects and supports the historical, cultural, and spiritual connection between buffalo and Indian Tribes.
- Scored +4
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
Directly benefits rural and reservation communities involved in land and animal management.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Tribal Programs and Commercial Activities: Under Section 4(b)(1), the Secretary of the Interior shall enter into contracts, cooperative agreements, and award grants to Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations to plan or implement buffalo restoration programs, execute commercial activities related to buffalo, support mobile meat processing facilities, and carry out other related activities. This provides direct financial and programmatic support for Tribal economic development and food sources.
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Transfer of Surplus Federal Buffalo: Under Section 7, the Secretary may enter into agreements to transport surplus buffalo from Federal land onto Indian land, and may waive any charges or payments for these buffalo. This helps Tribes successfully reestablish buffalo herds without financial burdens.
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Protection of Sensitive Information: Under Section 6, the Secretary is prohibited from disclosing any information provided by an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization that is identified as culturally sensitive, proprietary, or confidential. This protects private and sacred Tribal information from being made public.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Retention of Disease and Escape Laws: Under Section 4(b)(2), nothing in the subsection regarding contracts and grants diminishes any Federal or State law or regulation regarding diseased buffalo or buffalo that escape from Indian land. This means Tribes remain fully subject to existing external laws and potential penalties concerning escaped or sick animals.
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? — Significantly benefits Indian Tribes by supporting buffalo restoration, economic development, and cultural preservation. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Directly benefits rural and reservation communities involved in land and animal management. Would business owners be better off under this? — Provides grants and opportunities for commercial activities and meat processing facilities. Would farmers be better off under this? — Assists in agricultural and livestock management related to buffalo. Would children be better off under this? — Supports cultural continuity and nutrition through buffalo restoration. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Aids with subsistence needs and nutritional support through buffalo reintroduction. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Provides economic and subsistence opportunities. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Honors traditional and cultural connections to buffalo. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Supports economic development and cultural programs for younger generations.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect the freedom to practise a religion? — Protects and supports the historical, cultural, and spiritual connection between buffalo and Indian Tribes. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The legislation fulfills the government-to-government relationship and supports Tribal sovereignty and cultural restoration. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Assists with subsistence needs and local economic development in Tribal communities.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — Provides funding, technical assistance, and programs for managing buffalo herds and agricultural infrastructure on Tribal lands. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Promotes conservation and management of buffalo habitat on Indian land. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — Coordinates surplus buffalo transfer from Federal lands to Indian lands.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Tribal commercial activities and meat processing facilities receive grant and contract support. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill supports commercial activities and meat processing facilities which can create jobs related to buffalo management and industry. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill supports commercial activities and economic development related to buffalo for Indian Tribes.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — Protects culturally sensitive, proprietary, or confidential information provided by Tribes to the Secretary.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — Ensures confidential and culturally sensitive information shared by Tribes is protected from disclosure.
- 7/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/25/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 12/15/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
3 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.
- Alan Armstrong
Republican · Oklahoma
Markwayne MullinRepublican · Oklahoma
Dan SullivanRepublican · Alaska
Tina SmithDemocrat · Minnesota