WASHINGTON, D.C. – February 4, 2025 – The first two bills introduced by Congressman Nick Begich (R-AK) on his first day in office—H.R. 42, the Alaska Native Settlement Trust Eligibility Act, and H.R. 43, the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2025—were considered on the House floor today and passed under the rules of suspension.
The Suspension Calendar provides a pathway for bipartisan legislation that shares broad support to receive swift consideration and passage.
H.R. 42 – Alaska Native Settlement Trust Eligibility Act: This bill brings settlement trust payments in line with other benefits paid by Alaska Native Corporations to their shareholders, and exempts settlement trust payments to elderly, visually impaired, or disabled Alaska Natives from being considered when determining eligibility for needs-based federal assistance programs. Under current law, these payments are considered to be income, which can cause our most vulnerable Alaskans to have to choose between accepting their birthright and the assistance benefits they sorely need.
H.R. 43 – Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2025: Under current law, village corporations are required to transfer portions of their conveyed lands to the State of Alaska, to be held in trust for a future municipality. While held in trust these lands, though belonging to the village corporations, cannot be used for the benefit of these communities. H.R. 43 eliminates this outdated requirement and returns these lands to the village corporations to which they belong.
“These bills are about fairness and keeping the promises made to Alaska Natives,” said Congressman Begich. “H.R. 42 and H.R. 43 address long-overdue issues that have impacted our communities for far too long. Both bills restore self-determination, ensuring Alaska Natives—not government bureaucracy—decide how to use their own land. I’m proud to see them move forward with strong bipartisan support, and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass them without delay.”
“Today, the House passed the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act, which sunsets the requirement for village corporations to reconvey lands for municipal uses under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), allowing village corporations to fully realize the benefits of these lands. Alaska Native village corporations have demonstrated they are very capable of managing these lands locally without state interference. This bill frees up lands held in limbo for economic development and empowers village corporations to exercise self-governance,” said Majority Leader Steve Scalise. “I commend Rep. Nick Begich for bringing this legislation forward and fighting to ensure Alaska’s economy thrives with new opportunity.”
“In just the first few weeks of the 119th Congress, Representative Begich is proving himself a leader for the Alaska Natives he represents. The two bills of his that passed this week are key parts of amplifying these voices and allowing his constituents to be heard here in Washington. I applaud Congressman Begich for his leadership and look forward to working with him in the House Committee on Natural Resources to advance more commonsense policies like these,” said House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.)
Both bills were initially referred to the House Natural Resources Committee, where they received strong support. Consideration under the Suspension Calendar reflects the broad consensus behind these efforts to strengthen Alaska Native economic and municipal self-determination.
H.R. 42 and H.R. 43 are the first pieces of legislation introduced by Congressman Begich and the first pieces of legislation to be passed by a freshman member in the 119th Congress.
Congressman Begich’s grandfather, the late Hon. Nicholas Begich Sr. was a steadfast advocate for Alaska’s interests, playing a pivotal role in the passage of the ANCSA in 1971. This landmark legislation not only secured land rights for Alaska Natives but also laid the foundation for the construction of the Alaska Pipeline, driving economic growth and energy development across the state. Now, nearly 54 years later, Congressman Begich continues that legacy with these bills that provide clarity to his grandfather’s landmark bill and reinforces that Alaskan Natives should decide how their land is used.
