PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 106-179.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 15, 1999
Indian Tribal Economic Development and Contract Encouragement Act of 1999 - Amends Federal law to remove the applicability of certain restrictions on agreements with non-U.S. citizen individual Indians. Makes a requirement that a contract bear the approval of the Secretary of the Interior inapplicable to any contract in any case in which: (1) the Secretary fails to approve or disapprove the contract within 90 days of its filing with the Secretary or the Indian tribe notifies the Secretary that the contract is not subject to requirements prescribed under existing law; and (2) the Secretary fails to inform the tribe within a certain time period that the Secretary intends to review the contract by the date specified in (1). Directs the Secretary to refuse to approve a contract if it: (1) violates Federal law; or (2) is subject to existing requirements and does not include provisions that provide for remedies in case of breach of contract, that reference a tribal code, ordinance, or court ruling that discloses the tribe's right to assert sovereign immunity as a defense in an action brought against the tribe, or that include an express waiver of such right to sovereign immunity. Prohibits the Secretary from approving any contract not covered under existing provisions. Requires the Secretary to notify tribes if a contract is not so covered. Authorizes tribes to bring actions for recovery of amounts paid to any person in excess of an amount approved by the Secretary in cases where contracts are in violation of existing requirements and determined to be null and void. Requires recovered amounts to be for the use of the tribe for whom they were recovered. Amends the Indian Reorganization Act to remove a requirement that a tribe's choice of legal counsel and fixing of fees be subject to the Secretary's approval.
People & committees
Sen. Campbell, Ben Nighthorse [R-CO] · R–CO
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 106-179.
Became Public Law No: 106-179.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 406 - 2 (Roll no. 26). (text: CR H520)
House roll call 26 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 406 - 2 (Roll no. 26).(text: CR H520)
House roll call 26 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H538)
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 613.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H520-521)
Mr. Sherwood moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 280.
Reported by the Committee on Resources. H. Rept. 106-501.
Reported by the Committee on Resources. H. Rept. 106-501.
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S10958; text: CR S10958)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S10958; text: CR S10958)
The committee substitute agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 270.
Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported to Senate by Senator Campbell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 106-150.
Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported to Senate by Senator Campbell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 106-150.
Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 106-96.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2667)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2666-2667)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Jun 20, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze S.613 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 S.613 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 S.613 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 S.613 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.