House Committee on Natural Resources
Legislative Hearing on Tribal-Related Legislation – Including RESPECT Act and Stop Act
Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States
Date: Thursday, May 20, 2021
Time: 12:00 PM EDT
Presiding: The Honorable Teresa Leger Fernández, Chair

On Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. EDT, the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States (SCIP) will host a virtual, fully remote legislative hearing on the following tribal-related legislation:

H.R.2930, the Safeguarding Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act. The bill, also known as the STOP Act, seeks to enhance protections for Native cultural heritage. It will increase penalties for the illegal trafficking of tribal cultural artifacts.

H.R.438, a bill to amend the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children Act. The bill extend the deadline for a report by the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children by another two years. The report would be due sometime in 2024 if H.R.438 became law.

Discussion Draft of RESPECT Act, the Requirements, Expectations, and Standard Procedures 3 for Executive Consultation with Tribes Act. The proposed bill mandates all federal agencies to engage in tribal consultation. It would establish standards for tribal consultation and provide recourse when federal agencies fail to engage in adequate consultation. [PDF: Discussion Draft]

Witness List
The Honorable Brian D. Vallo (H.R. 2930) [PDF: Testimony]
Governor
Pueblo of Acoma
Acoma, New Mexico

Ms. Stacy Leeds (Discussion Draft – RESPECT Act) [PDF: Testimony]
Professor of Law and Leadership
ASU Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law
Phoenix, Arizona

Mr. Matthew L.M. Fletcher (Discussion Draft – RESPECT Act) [PDF: Testimony]
Director & Professor of Law
Indigenous Law and Policy Center
Michigan State University College of Law
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Ms. Lauren van Schilfgaarde (Discussion Draft – RESPECT Act) [PDF: Testimony]
Director
Tribal Legal Development Clinic
UCLA School of Law
Los Angeles, California

Mr. Robert Gallegos (H.R. 2930) [PDF: Testimony]
Treasurer
Antique Tribal Art Dealers Association
Rio Rancho, New Mexico

House Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States Notice
Legislative: Hearing on Tribal-Related Legislation – Including RESPECT Act and Stop Act (May 20, 2021)