Grand Portage Band Per Capita Adjustment Act

Floor Speech

Mr. LABRADOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

H.R. 3608 would protect certain funds paid by the State of Minnesota and held by the United States in trust for the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians from Federal and State taxation. Under the bill, the tribe may distribute these funds to its members, and these payments won't be counted against the members' eligibility for Federal financial assistance as long as each payment does not exceed $2,000.

The payments made by the State stem from a 1988 settlement in which two Minnesota Chippewa tribes agreed to forgo the exercise of certain treaty hunting and fishing rights. In 1999, legislation was introduced to protect these State settlement payments from taxation. However, by the time the bill was enacted into Public Law 106-568, only one of the two tribes was granted the tax relief.

The Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs held a hearing on H.R. 3608. Neither the hearing nor a staff review of the legislative history for Public Law 106-568 reveals any explanation for the exclusion of the Grand Portage Band from the tax relief granted to its sister tribe. Principles of fairness and equity suggest that both bands of Minnesota Chippewa be accorded equal treatment. H.R. 3608 accordingly amends the applicable statute to provide the Grand Portage Band the same tax benefits.

The Committee on Natural Resources ordered H.R. 3608 reported by unanimous consent, and Chairman Camp of the Ways and Means Committee and Chairman Goodlatte of the Judiciary Committee have graciously agreed by letter to expedite consideration of this bill by not exercising their jurisdiction. As always, we appreciate their cooperation.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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