Shivwits Band of Paiutes Jurisdictional Clarity Act
Summary
What This Bill Does
The Shivwits Band of Paiutes Jurisdictional Clarity Act creates a jurisdictional framework for civil disputes and business agreements involving the Shivwits Band of Paiutes and its Indian lands. It defines Indian lands as Shivwits lands held in trust by the United States or subject to federal restrictions on alienation. It defines the Shivwits Band to include the federally recognized tribe restored under the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah Restoration Act, its governing body, tribal enterprises, subsidiaries, and section 17 corporations.
Who Benefits and How
The Shivwits Band of Paiutes benefits from clearer jurisdictional rules and expanded leasing authority while retaining sovereign immunity unless it consents to suit. Shivwits Tribal enterprises benefit because contracts, leases, and agreements affecting Indian lands are treated as commerce and federal-question matters, making dispute forums clearer. Commercial lessees on Shivwits trust land benefit from more predictable state and federal jurisdiction for civil causes of action and contract disputes. Developers on Shivwits Indian lands benefit from expanded leasing authority under the 1955 Indian long-term leasing statute.
Who Bears the Burden and How
Utah state courts must handle civil causes of action involving the Shivwits Band that arise on or within Indian lands. Federal courts must handle contract and lease disputes deemed to arise under federal law. The Bureau of Indian Affairs must administer long-term leasing authority for Shivwits trust lands. Parties suing the Shivwits Band are barred by sovereign immunity unless the Band consents or waives immunity.
Key Provisions
- Defines Indian lands for the bill as Shivwits Band lands held in federal trust or subject to federal alienation restrictions.
- Defines the Shivwits Band to include the federally recognized tribe, its governing body, tribal enterprises, subsidiaries, and section 17 corporations.
- Grants Utah civil jurisdiction over covered civil causes of action involving the Shivwits Band that arise on or within Indian lands.
- Establishes federal court jurisdiction for contract, lease, and agreement disputes affecting Shivwits Indian lands or involving the Band.
- Provides that the Act does not abrogate Shivwits sovereign immunity or its authority to waive immunity.
- Extends federal Indian leasing authority to land held in trust for the Shivwits Band of Paiutes.
Evidence Chain:
This summary is generated from the full bill text using AI analysis. Expand "Detailed Analysis" below for identified beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
At a Glance
What This Bill Does
Defines Shivwits Band of Paiutes Indian lands and covered tribal entities, gives Utah civil jurisdiction over civil causes of action involving the Shivwits Band that arise on or within those lands, treats contracts and leases involving Shivwits Indian lands as commerce under the Federal Arbitration Act and as federal-question matters, preserves the Band's sovereign immunity and waiver authority, and adds Shivwits trust land to the federal Indian long-term leasing statute.
Key Policy Areas
Tribal Affairs, Judiciary, Economic Development, Public Lands
Primary Purpose
Defines Shivwits Band of Paiutes Indian lands and covered tribal entities, gives Utah civil jurisdiction over civil causes of action involving the Shivwits Band that arise on or within those lands, treats contracts and leases involving Shivwits Indian lands as commerce under the Federal Arbitration Act and as federal-question matters, preserves the Band's sovereign immunity and waiver authority, and adds Shivwits trust land to the federal Indian long-term leasing statute.
Policy Domains
House resolution provisions
Identified Gains
- Shivwits Band of Paiutes
- Shivwits Tribal enterprises
- Commercial lessees on Shivwits trust land
- Developers on Shivwits Indian lands
Identified Costs
- Utah state courts
- Federal courts
- Bureau of Indian Affairs
- Parties suing the Shivwits Band
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
ReportedReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to …
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian …
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without …
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2514-2516)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate …
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill …
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules …
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without …
Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the …
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 440.
Stakeholder Effects
cui bono?How this legislation distributes effects. Mention counts reflect frequency, not effect magnitude.
Section 17 corporations chartered by Shivwits Band, Shivwits Band of Paiutes, Shivwits Tribal enterprises
Federal courts, Parties suing the Shivwits Band, Utah state courts
Commercial lessees on Shivwits trust land, Developers on Shivwits Indian lands
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "bia"
- → Bureau of Indian Affairs
- "utah"
- → State of Utah
- "shivwits"
- → Shivwits Band of Paiutes
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology