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HEARTH Act of 2011

Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 31, 2011

Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Homeownership Act of 2011 or HEARTH Act of 2011 - Extends to any Indian tribe the discretion granted under current law only to the Navajo Nation to lease restricted lands for business, agricultural, public, religious, educational, recreational, or residential purposes without the approval of the Secretary of the Interior. (The Secretary must still approve the tribal regulations under which those leases are executed and mining leases still require the Secretary's approval.)

Sets forth the environmental review process required under tribal lease regulations before those regulations obtain the Secretary's approval. Requires the process to identify and evaluate any significant effects a proposed lease may have on the environment and allow public comment on those effects.

Allows tribes to rely on a federal environmental review process rather than the tribal environmental review process if the project under review is federally funded.

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Directs the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to report to Congress on the history and experience of Indian tribes that have chosen to assume the BIA's responsibility for operating the Indian Land Title and Records Office.

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Who introduced it

Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY] · R–WY

Committees

  • Indian Affairs Committee
8 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.

  2. Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-32.

  3. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

  4. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2051)

  5. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Aug 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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