Skip to main content
S 1508 119th Congress Senate Native Americans Federal-Indian relations Indian lands and resources rights Jurisdiction and venue Utah

Shivwits Band of Paiutes Jurisdictional Clarity Act

Introduced: April 29, 2025 Introduced by: Curtis, John R. Republican · Utah See on congress.gov
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Dec 17, 2025
Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.
Apr 29, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Apr 29, 2025
Introduced in Senate
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Shivwits Band of Paiutes Jurisdictional Clarity Act

This bill confers legal jurisdiction to the State of Utah over certain civil cases involving the Shivwits Band of Paiutes. It also allows the tribe to lease its land held in trust. The tribe is located in southwestern Utah.

Specifically, the bill confers jurisdiction to the State of Utah over any civil cause of action (1) to which the Shivwits Band of Paiutes is a party, and (2) that arises on or within Indian lands. Under the bill, Indian lands are lands of the tribe that are (1) held in trust for the benefit of the tribe, or (2) subject to restrictions by the United States against alienation (i.e., sale or transfer).

Additionally, the bill specifies that any cause of action arising from any contract or agreement (including a lease) to which the tribe is party or that affects or arises on these Indian lands shall be deemed a civil cause of action. Therefore, this bill allows the tribe and third parties to resolve contract disputes in state court.

The bill also authorizes the tribe to lease its land held in trust for a term of up to 99 years.

What's happening now December 17, 2025

Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1