Generally, tribal lands held in trust by the federal government are exempt from state and local taxation under Section 5 of the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 (the Act). However, when non-Indians are involved in ownership...more
On December 5, 2022, the Interior Department’s Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) published proposed revisions to 25 C.F.R. Part 151—the regulations governing the United States’ discretionary acquisition of land in trust for the...more
The Biden Administration recently held a Tribal Nations Summit in Washington, D.C. At the Summit, the Administration announced a number of new actions, in particular, new initiatives relating to Tribal consultation. The...more
As a result of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the federal government’s FAST-41 permitting project can now be used by Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations to potentially expedite and improve the permitting...more
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has established a new program, the Enhanced Competition Incentive Program (ECIP), designed to further help close the digital divide by fostering increased access to wireless...more
In existence since 2000, the federal New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) incentive has provided gap financing and infusions of cash in economically distressed communities for more than two decades. However, the amount of NMTC funds...more
The U.S. Department of the Treasury on April 26, 2021, announced that it will hold an information session on the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) on May 13, 2021, from 2 to 3 p.m. ET and a tribal consultation on...more
Last week, President Biden signed a Memorandum on Tribal Consultation and Strengthening Nation-to-Nation Relationships. In the memorandum, President Biden says “It is a priority of my Administration to make respect for Tribal...more
On March 25, 2020, the United States Senate unanimously passed (96-0) the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), commonly known as “Phase Three” of coronavirus economic relief. ...more
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on May 22, 2019, issued much awaited guidance in Notice 2019-39. This Notice allows for refinancings or refundings by Native American tribal governments of Tribal Economic Development bonds...more
• The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has opened the doors of its much anticipated Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program (TELGP), which can guarantee up to $2 billion in loans to support economic opportunities for American...more
In the matter of United States et al. v. Washington, case number 13-35474, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit concluded in 2016 that in building and maintaining barrier culverts, the State of Washington had...more
Based on a recent Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announcement, the Published Value Cap Limit for Tribal Economic Development Bonds (TEDBs) is steadily shrinking...more
The Native American Finance Officers Association (NAFOA) held its 34th annual conference on April 17-20, 2016, at the Gila River Indian Community's Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort in Phoenix. NAFOA is a national non-profit...more
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Notice 2015-83 on Dec. 4, 2015, a change that will make it easier for Indian tribal governments to use tribal economic development (TED) volume cap for "draw-down" loan structures in...more
The Hualapai (pronounced wah-lah-pie) Tribe has about 2,300 members, 1,300 of whom live on the Tribe’s northwest Arizona reservation. The enormous reservation borders the Colorado River and includes portions of the West Rim...more