Hoeven Announces Senate Passage of Two Important Indian Bills

Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, announced Senate passage of H.R. 5317 and H.R. 1074. Both bills will now head to President Trump for his signature.

H.R. 5317

·       Repeals an 1834 law that prohibits the establishment of a facility on Indian land to make distilled liquors.

·       Stipulates that the repeal of the law would not have any effect on federal or state taxation, nor would it have an effect on a state’s authority to regulate alcohol within its borders.

“This legislation repeals an outdated law that is not compatible with a modern policy of promoting tribal self-determination,” said Hoeven. “Further, this legislation helps Tribes diversify economically by empowering them to construct and operate distilleries on their land, with net profits going back to the Tribes.”

H.R. 5317 was introduced by Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler on March 15, 2018. It passed the House of Representatives on September 12, 2018. It will now go to the President to be signed into law.