Us Congress House Bill HB2839

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/25/23
• Refer: 4/25/23
• Refer: 5/22/23
• Report Pass: 7/19/23
• Engrossed: 12/12/23
• Enrolled: 12/26/23
• Passed: 12/26/23
• Chaptered: 12/26/23

Caption

To amend the Siletz Reservation Act to address the hunting, fishing, trapping, and animal gathering rights of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, and for other purposes.

Impact

The amendments proposed in HB 2839 can significantly impact state law by formally recognizing and defining the hunting, fishing, and gathering rights of the Siletz Tribe under federal law. It establishes a framework for how these rights are negotiated and potentially modified over time, emphasizing government-to-government relationships between tribes and the state. This can change how various jurisdictions interact regarding natural resource management and the preservation of indigenous rights, potentially leading to greater recognition of tribal sovereignty and rights in Oregon.

Summary

House Bill 2839 amends the Siletz Reservation Act, specifically addressing the hunting, fishing, trapping, and animal gathering rights of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. This amendment seeks to clarify the rights of the Siletz Tribe concerning these activities on and potentially off the reservation. The bill establishes provisions for the continuation of existing agreements as well as the possibility of entering into new agreements between the Confederated Tribes and the State of Oregon. By ensuring that tribal rights to traditional activities are recognized and affirmed, the bill aims to protect these cultural practices that are vital to the Siletz community.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 2839 appears largely supportive among those advocating for indigenous rights and tribal sovereignty. Supporters view this bill as a positive step towards addressing historical grievances and providing the Siletz Tribe with the necessary legal frameworks to exercise their rights. However, there may also be concerns from other stakeholders, including non-tribal entities that could see changes in regulation or access to natural resources as a result of the new agreements established by this bill.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding HB 2839 could be the provisions concerning the modification of existing agreements and the potential for new agreements that might restrict access to certain resources by other parties. There are specific concerns regarding how these changes may affect hunting and fishing rights in the regions outside the traditional Siletz territory. The bill stipulates that new agreements should not confer exclusive rights that could infringe upon the rights of other federally recognized tribes or existing statutory frameworks, which could lead to disputes over resource allocation and rights in the future.