Analyst Brief March 10, 2026

H.R. 3073 — Shivwits Band of Paiutes Jurisdictional Clarity Act

Current Status
Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

Executive Summary

H.R. 3073 confers jurisdiction on the State of Utah over civil causes of action arising on or within the Indian lands of the Shivwits Band of Paiutes. This bill addresses jurisdictional ambiguities that have hindered economic development and legal clarity within the Shivwits Band's lands. The bill aims to streamline legal processes and promote economic activity by clarifying the roles of state and federal courts. It was introduced by Ms. Maloy and has been committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union.

Bill Data

Primary Sponsor
Ms. MALOY
Bill Number
H. R. 3073
View on Congress.gov →
Co-Sponsors
None

Arguments For

  • Argument 1: Clarifying jurisdiction promotes economic development by reducing legal uncertainty for businesses operating on or near Shivwits Band lands.
  • Argument 2: The bill empowers the Shivwits Band of Paiutes by clarifying their legal standing and facilitating agreements with the state of Utah.
  • Argument 3: Resolving jurisdictional ambiguities reduces potential for costly litigation and protracted legal battles, benefiting both the state and the tribe.
  • Argument 4: This bill could be seen as fulfilling trust responsibilities by addressing legal barriers to self-determination and economic self-sufficiency for the Shivwits Band.
Likely Supporters
None specified

Arguments Against

  • Argument 1: Some may argue that expanding state jurisdiction could undermine tribal sovereignty and potentially lead to unfair treatment of the Shivwits Band in state courts.
  • Argument 2: Concerns may arise regarding the potential for conflicts between state and tribal laws, leading to further legal challenges and uncertainty.
  • Argument 3: Opponents may claim that the bill could open the door to similar jurisdictional expansions in other tribal lands, potentially weakening tribal sovereignty nationwide.
  • Argument 4: There may be concerns about the adequacy of state resources and expertise to handle legal matters involving tribal law and customs.
Likely Opponents
None specified

📋 Key Provisions

  • Confers jurisdiction on the State of Utah over civil causes of action arising on or within the Indian lands of the Shivwits Band of Paiutes.
  • Defines 'Indian lands' as lands held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the Shivwits Band of Paiutes or subject to a restriction against alienation imposed by the United States.
  • Clarifies federal court jurisdiction over contracts and agreements involving the Shivwits Band of Paiutes, defining them as within the meaning of 'commerce'.
  • Maintains the sovereign immunity of the Shivwits Band of Paiutes from unconsented suit.
  • Amends the Act of August 9, 1955, to include 'land held in trust for the Shivwits Band of Paiutes' in the leasing authority provisions.

🔍 Verification Guide

BETA
Claim Analysis Page 1, Line 1

The bill confers jurisdiction on the State of Utah.

Verify Text

"To confer jurisdiction on the State"

Claim Analysis Page 3, Line 8

The bill defines Indian lands.

Verify Text

"(1) INDIAN LANDS.—The term “Indian"

Claim Analysis Page 3, Line 15

The bill defines Shivwits Band of Paiutes.

Verify Text

"(2) SHIVWITS BAND OF PAIUTES.—The"

Claim Analysis Page 5, Line 4

The bill maintains sovereign immunity.

Verify Text

"SEC. 5. SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY NOT"

Claim Analysis Page 5, Line 11

The bill amends the Act of August 9, 1955.

Verify Text

"Subsection (a) of the first section"

AI-Generated Analysis — Automatically generated from bill text. Always verify claims against the original legislation before citing. Learn more.

View original bill text on Congress.gov →

Generated by The Capitol Wire AI • Verification Required

← Back to Dashboard