Lifting Local Communities Act

Senate Bill

S. 2908

119th Congress

Lifting Local Communities Act

In Committee

Introduced:Sep 18, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Martin Heinrich

Senator

Democratic

NM

Cosponsors

3

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Native Americans

Summary

The Lifting Local Communities Act establishes a permanent program within the Department of the Interior to help Native American tribes manage and restore buffalo herds on their lands. It requires the government to provide funding, technical assistance, and policy guidance to support tribal buffalo ownership and habitat management.

Latest Action

Held at the desk.

SponsorMartin Heinrich (D-NM)

Introduced9/18/2025

StatusRead twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

ChamberSenate

Data from Congress.gov

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Vote Prediction

Lifting Local Communities Act

The Lifting Local Communities Act establishes a permanent program within the Department of the Interior to help Native American tribes manage and restore buffalo herds on their lands. It requires the government to provide funding, technical assistance, and pol

Community Breakdown

Pass

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Fail

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The Lifting Local Communities Act establishes a permanent program within the Department of the Interior to help Native American tribes manage and restore buffalo herds on their lands. It requires the government to provide funding, technical assistance, and policy guidance to support tribal buffalo ownership and habitat management.

Bill Number: 2908
Sponsor: Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
Introduced: 9/18/2025
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Policy Area: Native Americans

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: Lifting Local Communities Act
Bill Number: 2908
Sponsor: Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Introduced: 9/18/2025
Summary: The Lifting Local Communities Act establishes a permanent program within the Department of the Interior to help Native American tribes manage and restore buffalo herds on their lands. It requires the government to provide funding, technical assistance, and policy guidance to support tribal buffalo o

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

The Lifting Local Communities Act establishes a permanent program within the Department of the Interior to help Native American tribes manage and restore buffalo herds on their lands. It requires the government to provide funding, technical assistance, and policy guidance to support tribal buffalo ownership and habitat management.

Last updated: 12/29/2025

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Indian Buffalo Management Act This bill establishes a permanent program within the Department of the Interior to develop and promote tribal ownership and management of buffalo and buffalo habitat on Indian lands. Specifically, the bill requires Interior to (1) enter into contracts, award grants, and provide technical assistance to Indian tribes and tribal organizations for activities related to buffalo restoration or management; (2) consult with tribes and tribal organizations on initiatives that affect buffalo or buffalo habitat, including efforts to contain or eradicate diseased buffalo; and (3) develop a policy relating to buffalo and buffalo habitat management activities on Indian land. Additionally, Interior may enter into agreements with tribes or tribal organizations to transport surplus buffalo from federal land onto Indian land.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Creates a permanent program within the Department of the Interior to support tribal buffalo restoration and management
Requires the government to provide grants, contracts, and technical assistance to tribes for buffalo-related activities
Allows the government to transfer surplus buffalo from federal lands to tribal lands

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

If passed, this bill would directly benefit Native American tribes by giving them more control and resources to care for buffalo herds on their own lands. This could help revive important cultural and economic ties to the buffalo, while also restoring buffalo populations and habitats. The bill would primarily impact tribal communities across the country who have historical connections to buffalo.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Native Americans

Related Subjects

Animal protection and human-animal relationships

Federal-Indian relations

Indian lands and resources rights

Indian social and development programs

Mammals

Veterinary medicine and animal diseases

Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

2908, 119th Congress (2025). "Lifting Local Communities Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-2908

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