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HR 7954

Don Young Doug LaMalfa Indian Buffalo Management Act

119th Congress Introduced by Stephanie Bice and 11 co-sponsors

HR 7954 grants tribes expanded authority to manage bison herds on tribal lands as part of cultural restoration and wildlife stewardship initiatives.

Subcommittee Hearings Held
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Bill Summary · HR 7954

Legislative bill overview

HR 7954, the Don Young Doug LaMalfa Indian Buffalo Management Act, establishes a framework for Native American tribes to manage American bison populations on tribal lands and potentially other designated areas. The bill appears designed to honor former Representatives Don Young and Doug LaMalfa while expanding tribal sovereignty over wildlife management and cultural resource restoration.

Why is this important

Buffalo hold deep cultural, spiritual, and historical significance for many Native American tribes, and this legislation could enable tribes to restore bison herds on their territories as part of ecological and cultural revitalization efforts. The bill reflects broader trends toward expanding tribal sovereignty in natural resource management and recognizing Indigenous stewardship practices that predate federal conservation models.

Potential points of contention

  • Regulatory clarity: The bill's specific parameters for bison management, herd sizes, and geographic scope are unclear from the title alone; details matter for neighboring landowners and state wildlife agencies
  • Interstate coordination: Questions about how tribal bison management intersects with state hunting regulations, disease control protocols (brucellosis/TB), and interstate wildlife compacts
  • Land access: Whether the legislation only applies to trust lands or seeks to expand bison presence beyond reservations, which could affect private property owners and agricultural interests

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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