PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 35 · Passed Senate amended · Aug 6, 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: General Provisions Title II: Tribal Justice Systems Title III: Tribal Judicial Conferences Title IV: Study of Tribal/Federal Court Review Title V: Authorizations Title VI: Disclaimers Title I: General Provisions - Indian Tribal Justice Systems Act - Defines terms and sets forth congressional findings for purposes of this Act. Title II: Tribal Justice Systems - Establishes within the Bureau of Indian Affairs (Bureau) the Office of Tribal Justice Support (Office) to further the development of tribal justice systems and Courts of Indian Offenses. Transfers functions and personnel of the Bureau's Branch of Judicial Services to the Office. Directs the Office to: (1) establish a tribal justice systems clearinghouse; (2) survey systems resources and funding; and (3) provide training and technical assistance. Directs the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to contract for a survey of tribal judicial systems. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide grants to or enter into contracts with tribes or tribal organizations for the development and operation of tribal justice systems; and (2) contract with tribal judicial conferences for such purposes. Title III: Tribal Judicial Conferences - Makes tribal judicial conferences of two or more tribes an eligible organization for tribal judicial system funding if each member tribe so agrees. Title IV: Study of Tribal/Federal Court Review - Directs the Tribal/Federal Court Review Study Panel to study tribal justice systems' treatment of matters arising under the Indian Civil Rights Act or any other Federal laws for which such systems exercise jurisdiction. Terminates the Panel 30 days after submission of required findings. Title V: Authorizations - Authorizes appropriations for tribal justice systems and related activities through FY 2000. Title VI: Disclaimers - States that nothing in this Act shall be construed to diminish: (1) the inherent authority of a tribe's governmental authority, including its legal system; or (2) the trust responsibility of the United States to tribal governments and legal systems, or to imply that any tribal court is a U.S. instrumentality.
People & committees
Rep. Richardson, Bill [D-NM-3] · D–NM
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 103-176.
Became Public Law No: 103-176.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Senate agreed to conference report by Voice Vote. (consideration: 11/19/1993 CR S16597)
Conference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report by Voice Vote.(consideration: 11/19/1993 CR S16597)
Conference papers: message on House action held at the desk in Senate.
Motions to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to without objection. (consideration: CR H10259-10262)
Conference report agreed to in House: On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to without objection.(consideration: CR H10259-10262)
Mr. Miller (CA) brought up conference report H. Rept. 103-383 by previously agreed to special order.
Mr. Miller asked unanimous consent that it may be in order for the House to consider the conference report on the bill H.R. 1268, and that all points of order against said conference report and against its consideration shall be waived. Agreed to without objection.
Conference report H. Rept. 103-383 filed. (text of conference report: CR H10259-10262)
Conference report filed: Conference report H. Rept. 103-383 filed.(text of conference report: CR H10259-10262)
Conference papers: Senate report and managers' statement held at the desk in Senate.
Conferees agreed to file conference report.
Conference committee actions: Conferees agreed to file conference report.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
The Speaker appointed conferees: Miller (CA), Richardson, and Thomas (WY).
Mr. Richardson asked unanimous consent that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and agree to a conference.
On motion that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and agree to a conference Agreed to without objection. (consideration: CR H7126)
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Senate insists on its amendment asks for a conference, appoints conferees Inouye; DeConcini; Daschle; Conrad; Reid; Simon; Akaka; Wellstone; Dorgan; Campbell; McCain; Murkowski; Cochran; Gorton; Domenici; Kassebaum; Nickles; Hatfield. (consideration: CR S10831)
Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Amendment SP 776 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S10829-10831)
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Amendment SP 776 proposed by Senator Kassebaum for Senator McCain.
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5630-5632)
Mr. Richardson moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 103-205.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 116.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 103-205.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Executive Comment Requested from Interior.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended).
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Native American Affairs.
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E549-550)
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Jun 20, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.1268 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.1268 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.1268 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.1268 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.