Indian Law Practice
Issue Alerts
Energy Independence and Security Act Becomes Law; Congress Acts on Additional Energy-Related Bills but Issues Remain for 2008
Patrick Currier, Caroline Roach, Curt RichDecember 20, 2007
Congress passed the Energy Independence and Security Act, an energy bill that includes new energy efficiency and renewable fuel requirements, but does not include renewable electricity requirements or energy tax incentives. Congress also adopted the omnibus appropriations bill which contains new direction on loan guarantees for advanced energy projects, and the Senate passed a farm bill containing incentives for biofuels, setting up a conference with the House of Representatives in early 2008.
New Ethics and Lobbying Reform Legislation Signed Into Law
Jonathan SimonSeptember 24, 2007
President Bush signed into law comprehensive ethics and lobbying reform legislation that make important changes to the congressional rules governing the acceptance of gifts and travel expenses, as well as to internal congressional procedures relating to earmarks.
Ninth Circuit Clarifies Scope of the Federal Government’s Trust Responsibilities to Indian Tribes
Matthew Love, Dan PressVan Ness Feldman Issue Alert
November 14, 2006
On November 13, the Ninth Circuit issued an important decision, Gros Ventre Tribe v. United States, clarifying the scope of the federal government’s “trust responsibilities” to federally recognized Indian Tribes as it pertains to off-reservation, non-trust lands owned by the Federal government. The lawsuit involved a challenge by the Gros Ventre Tribe and others to a Bureau of Land Management approval of mining operations near the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation in Montana.
Congress Returns to Wrap Up Its Business
Curt Rich, Shelley FidlerVan Ness Feldman Issue Alert
September 11, 2006
Congress returns from its August recess to focus on a pre-election legislative agenda largely comprised of national security issues. This brief summary takes a look at the state of play in Washington for the remainder of this Congressional session.
Federal Agencies Propose Environmental Rules for Energy Projects on Indian Reservations
Dan Press, Sheri SpangVan Ness Feldman Issue Alert
September 7, 2006
Federal agencies recently issued two Notices of Proposed Rulemaking for regulations describing proposed new requirements and procedures for environmental approvals of projects on Indian reservations. These regulations have the potential to cause significant and largely favorable changes in how companies, and particularly energy companies, conduct business on Indian reservations.