PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 109-394.
Congressional Research Service
Version 49 · Public Law · Dec 14, 2006
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on September 27, 2006. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act of 2006 - Amends the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, as part of the Native American languages grant program, to make three-year grants for educational Native American language nests, survival schools, and restoration programs.
Requires that Native American language nests: (1) provide instruction and child care through the use of a Native American language for at least 10 children under the age of seven for an average of at least 500 hours per year per student; (2) provide classes in such language for the parents of such students; and (3) use such language as the dominant medium of instruction in the nest.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Requires that Native American language survival schools: (1) provide an average of at least 500 hours of instruction per year per student through the use of at least one Native American language for at least 15 students for whom the school is their principal school; (2) develop instructional courses and materials that service the goal of making all students fluent in such a language and proficient in mathematics, reading, and science; (3) provide teacher training; and (4) be located in areas having high concentrations of Native American students. Requires applicants for language survival school funding to have at least three years of experience in running such a school, a Native American language nest, or any other educational program in which instruction is conducted in a Native American language.
Requires that Native American language restoration programs: (1) operate at least one Native American language program for the community they serve; (2) train teachers of such languages; and (3) develop Native American language instructional materials.
Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2012.
People & committees
Rep. Wilson, Heather [R-NM-1] · R–NM
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 109-394.
Became Public Law No: 109-394.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR 12/7/2006 S11387)
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR 12/7/2006 S11387)
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Received in the Senate.
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
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. (text: CR H7609-7610)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H7609-7610)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4766.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7609-7613)
Mr. McKeon moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Education Reform.
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Mar 23, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.4766 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.
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