S. 1301 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Apr 3, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryExempts tribal employers from federal labor rules
Right now, Indian tribes and tribal businesses on tribal land have to follow the National Labor Relations Act, a federal law that requires employers to allow workers to form unions, bargain together about wages and conditions, and take collective action. This bill would remove that requirement and let tribal employers operate outside that federal framework.
How it affects you
If you work for a tribe or tribal business on tribal land, this would change your labor protections. You would no longer have the right to organize a union or engage in collective bargaining under federal law, though tribes could choose to provide similar protections themselves. If you don't work in tribal employment, this wouldn't directly affect you.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Apr 3, 2025)
Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2025
This bill excludes Indian tribes and tribal enterprises and institutions on tribal land from requirements for employers under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). (Currently under the NLRA, employers may not engage in unfair labor practices and must allow employees to form unions, engage in collective bargaining, and take collective action.)
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 1301
A BILL
Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) · Introduced Apr 3, 2025 · Native Americans · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Apr 3, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.”