HR5696-119

What This Bill Does

The STREAMLINE Act reduces Interior appraisal bottlenecks for Tribes that already operate realty or land management functions under Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act contracts, compacts, or funding agreements. Within one year, Interior must revise part 151 land-acquisition regulations so the Secretary accepts a Tribal appraisal or valuation instead of a federal appraisal when the Tribe has assumed realty or land management authority, the land is within the reservation or contiguous to trust land, and the appraisal follows Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. Acceptance of a qualifying Tribal appraisal is deemed to satisfy Interior's fiduciary and trust valuation responsibility, and Interior's role is limited to ministerial receipt and recordation of Tribal certification. The bill also amends the Indian Land Consolidation Act to bar Interior from requiring a DOI-prepared or DOI-reviewed appraisal for qualifying trust or restricted land conveyances or acquisitions. Interior must conform Appraisal and Valuation Services Office guidance and the Fee-to-Trust Handbook, publish processing-time comparisons for Tribal versus DOI appraisals, and GAO must evaluate implementation, processing time, quality, and litigation effects within three years.

Who Benefits and How

Self-governance Tribes benefit because qualifying Tribal appraisals can replace Interior appraisals in fee-to-trust and trust land transactions. Tribal realty programs benefit because their ISDEAA compact or contract valuation work receives statutory recognition. Tribal land acquisition applicants benefit if ministerial review reduces delay in acquiring reservation or contiguous trust lands. Tribal land consolidation projects benefit because Interior cannot require a separate DOI appraisal when statutory criteria are met.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Interior land acquisition staff must revise regulations, update manuals, accept Tribal certifications, and track processing times. Appraisal and Valuation Services Office staff lose review control over qualifying Tribal appraisals and must conform guidance. GAO auditors must evaluate implementation, processing time, appraisal quality, and litigation within three years. Tribal appraisal contractors must meet Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice for accepted valuations.

Key Provisions

• Requires Interior part 151 revisions within one year to accept qualifying Tribal appraisals.
• Provides that accepted Tribal appraisals satisfy Interior fiduciary and trust valuation responsibilities.
• Limits Interior's role to ministerial confirmation of receipt and recordation of Tribal certification.
• Amends the Indian Land Consolidation Act to prevent DOI appraisal requirements for qualifying transactions.
• Requires Interior guidance and handbook updates, processing-time publication, and GAO evaluation within three years.