PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 449.
Congressional Research Service
Version 81 · Passed House without amendment · Oct 24, 2007
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2007 - (Sec. 4) Reaffirms that: (1) the United States has a special political and legal relationship with Native Hawaiians; and (2) Native Hawaiians have the right to autonomy in their internal affairs, to self-determination and self-governance, to reorganize a Native Hawaiian governing entity, and to become economically self-sufficient.
(Sec. 5) Establishes the U.S. Office for Native Hawaiian Relations within the Office of the Secretary of the Interior.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
(Sec. 6) Establishes the Native Hawaiian Interagency Coordinating Group to: (1) coordinate federal programs and policies that affect Native Hawaiians or federal actions that may significantly or uniquely affect their resources, rights, or lands; (2) consult with the Native Hawaiian governing entity; and (3) ensure the participation of each federal agency in the development of the Group's annual report to Congress.
(Sec. 7) Recognizes the right of the Native Hawaiian people to reorganize the single Native Hawaiian governing entity to provide for their common welfare and to adopt appropriate organic governing documents.
Establishes a commission to: (1) prepare and maintain a roll of the adult members of the Native Hawaiian community who elect to participate in such reorganization; and (2) certify that the members proposed for inclusion on the roll meet the definition of Native Hawaiian. Requires the Secretary to dissolve the Commission upon reaffirmation of the special political and legal relationship between the governing entity and the United States.
Outlines the process for such reorganization. Authorizes formation of a Native Hawaiian Interim Governing Council, which may conduct a referendum among the Native Hawaiians listed on the roll to determine the proposed elements of the governing documents.
Reaffirms the special political and legal relationship between the United States and the governing entity upon the Secretary's certification of the governing documents and the election of the entity's officers. Extends federal recognition to the entity as the representative governing body of the Native Hawaiian people.
(Sec. 8) Reaffirms the delegation of authority to the state of Hawaii to address the conditions of Native Hawaiians.
Authorizes the United States, upon the reaffirmation of such political and legal relationship, together with the state, to enter into negotiations with the governing entity to lead to an agreement addressing such matters as: (1) the transfer of lands, natural resources, and other assets and the protection of existing rights related to such lands or resources; (2) the exercise of governmental authority over any such land and assets; (3) the exercise of civil and criminal jurisdiction; (4) the delegation of governmental powers and authorities to the governing entity by the United States and the state; (5) any residual responsibilities of the United States and the state; and (6) grievances regarding assertions of historical wrongs committed against Native Hawaiians by the United States or the state.
Authorizes the parties to the negotiations, upon agreement on matters negotiated with the United States, to submit proposed amendments to federal or state law.
Requires any governmental authority or power to be exercised by the governing entity that is currently exercised by the state or federal governments to be exercised by the governing entity only as agreed to in negotiations and beginning on the date on which legislation to implement such agreement has been enacted by Congress or Hawaii.
Declares that this Act does not establish authority for the recognition of Native Hawaiian groups other than the governing entity.
(Sec. 9) Prohibits the governing entity and Native Hawaiians from conducting gaming activities as a matter of claimed inherent authority or under the authority of federal law.
Prohibits the Secretary from taking land into trust on behalf of individuals or groups claiming to be Native Hawaiian or on behalf of the governing entity.
Provides that this Act will result in the recognition of the single Native Hawaiian governing entity.
People & committees
Rep. Abercrombie, Neil [D-HI-1] · D–HI
Legislative record
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Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 449.
Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 261 - 153 (Roll no. 1000). (text: CR H11974-11978)
House roll call 1000 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 261 - 153 (Roll no. 1000).(text: CR H11974-11978)
House roll call 1000 · Individual votesOn motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 178 - 235 (Roll no. 999).
House roll call 999 · Individual votesThe previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H11987)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Flake motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the bill back to the House with an amendment to make applicable the United States Constitution's Bill of Rights, the Federal Civil Rights laws, and burden or immunities clauses to the bill.
Mr. Flake moved to recommit with instructions to Natural Resources. (consideration: CR H11986-11988; text: CR H11986)
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H11986)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 505.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 505 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 764. (consideration: CR H11974-11989)
Rule H. Res. 764 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 764 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 505 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 243.
Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 110-389.
Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 110-389.
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E133)
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Jan 21, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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