On Jan. 3 when he took his oath of office, Congressman Nick Begich introduced three Alaska-focused bills in the U.S. House of Representatives. These legislative proposals aim to strengthen Alaska’s Native communities, enhance local self-determination, and create brighter economic opportunities across the state.
“Alaska deserves quick, decisive action,” said Congressman Begich. “By introducing these bills on my first day, I want Alaskans to know that my team and I are hitting the ground running to advocate for our state’s future—starting right now.”
The legislation introduced the following bills:
- Alaska Native Settlement Trust Eligibility Act (H.R. 2687 in the 118th)
- Purpose: Excludes settlement trust benefits for certain Alaska Natives—those who are blind, disabled, or age 65 and older—from being considered income when determining eligibility for means-tested federal benefits such as SSI, SNAP, and housing assistance.
- Key Point: Closes a longstanding gap in Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) provisions, ensuring that elders and individuals with disabilities are not forced to choose between much-needed settlement trust income and critical federal assistance.
- Unrecognized Southeast Alaska Native Communities Recognition and Compensation Act (H.R. 4748 in the 118th)
- Also Known As: The “Landless Bill”
- Purpose: Amends ANCSA to allow Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee, and Wrangell—historically excluded Native communities—to form urban corporations and select 23,040 acres each from the Tongass National Forest.
- Key Point: Restores land entitlements for these unrecognized communities while preserving existing rights-of-way, ensuring meaningful economic and cultural opportunities for Alaskans.
- Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act (H.R. 6489 in the 118th)
- Purpose: Eliminates the requirement under ANCSA Section 14(c)(3) that Alaska Native Village Corporations convey land to the State to be held in trust for future municipalities. Instead, it returns undeveloped land to the original village corporations.
- Key Point: Empowers Alaska Native communities to develop and use their lands for housing, community expansion, and other economic ventures, alleviating decades of land-title uncertainties and unlocking long-term development potential.
These bills introduce legislation that strengthens Alaska Native communities, clarifies land ownership, and supports seniors and individuals with disabilities.