Building upon Unique Indian Learning and Development Act

Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 114-192.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Feb 9, 2015

Building upon Unique Indian Learning and Development Act

Directs the Department of the Interior to establish a contest to encourage institutions of higher education (IHEs) to consider how to improve Indian school facilities.

Requires the Department of Education (ED) and Interior to establish a Joint Oversight Board to coordinate Indian education policies and assistance.

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Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to award grants to create or expand pipelines for teachers and administrators of Native American students.

Requires states receiving grants under part A of title I of the ESEA (Education for the Disadvantaged) to develop standards-based assessments and classroom lessons that accommodate diverse learning styles.

Expands programs for Native American school children to support learning in the children's Native language and culture and provide English language instruction.

Exempts Native language teachers from qualification requirement. Requires states to develop an alternative licensure or certification process for those teachers.

Amends the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to extend through FY2019 the grant program to ensure the survival and continuing vitality of Native American languages.

Requires ED to: (1) improve school environments and student skill development for Native American students, (2) establish a program for school dropout prevention for Native American students, and (3) collaborate with the Department of Agriculture to establish tribal-school specific gardens and nutrition programs.

Extends through FY2018 and appropriates funds for the Impact Aid program.

Extends through FY2016: (1) the tribally controlled postsecondary career and technical institutions program, (2) the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development, (3) grants for the Haskell Indian Nations University and Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute, and (4) scholarships under the Snyder Act.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM] · D–NM

Committees

Indian Affairs Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Nov 18, 2015
Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 114-192.
Feb 9, 2015
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Feb 9, 2015
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Feb 9, 2015 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 12, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze S.410 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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Discuss S.410, 114th Congress: Building upon Unique Indian Learning and Development Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/410

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2015-02-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/s410/BILLS-114s410is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-12T14:10:59Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.410 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.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.410 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.

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Discuss S.410, 114th Congress: Building upon Unique Indian Learning and Development Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/410

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2015-02-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/s410/BILLS-114s410is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-12T14:10:59Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.410 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.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.410 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.

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Discuss S.410, 114th Congress: Building upon Unique Indian Learning and Development Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/410

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2015-02-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/s410/BILLS-114s410is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-12T14:10:59Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.410 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.

Individual rights and government power

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Discuss S.410, 114th Congress: Building upon Unique Indian Learning and Development Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/410

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2015-02-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/s410/BILLS-114s410is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-12T14:10:59Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.410 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.