AK SJR13

The Alaska Legislature urges Congress to pass the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2023 to amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971.

Section 14(c)(3) of ANCSA required Alaska Native village corporations to convey land to the state held in trust for future municipal governments, but only 8 of 101 villages have incorporated since 1971, with the most recent incorporation in 1995.

Approximately 11,500 acres of Alaska Native village corporation land remain held in trust in 93 villages that have not decided to incorporate, hindering economic development and land utilization.

The Legislature requests that Congress remove the requirement that village corporations hold land in trust for future municipalities, empowering Native communities to decide land use and pursue greater economic prosperity and self-sufficiency.

The resolution urges President Biden to sign the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2023 or similar legislation into law.