S. 1508 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Apr 29, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryClarifies Utah court authority over Paiute tribe cases
This bill gives the State of Utah legal authority over certain civil lawsuits involving the Shivwits Band of Paiutes, particularly disputes that arise from contracts or agreements on tribal lands. It also allows the tribe to lease its trust lands for up to 99 years, which could help the tribe generate income from its property.
How it affects you
This mainly affects the Shivwits Band of Paiutes and anyone doing business with them in Utah. Disputes over contracts or leases involving the tribe's land will now go through Utah state courts instead of other legal channels. For most other people, this change won't have a direct effect.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Apr 29, 2025)
Shivwits Band of Paiutes Jurisdictional Clarity Act
This bill confers legal jurisdiction to the State of Utah over certain civil cases involving the Shivwits Band of Paiutes. It also allows the tribe to lease its land held in trust. The tribe is located in southwestern Utah.
Specifically, the bill confers jurisdiction to the State of Utah over any civil cause of action (1) to which the Shivwits Band of Paiutes is a party, and (2) that arises on or within Indian lands. Under the bill, Indian lands are lands of the tribe that are (1) held in trust for the benefit of the tribe, or (2) subject to restrictions by the United States against alienation (i.e., sale or transfer).
Additionally, the bill specifies that any cause of action arising from any contract or agreement (including a lease) to which the tribe is party or that affects or arises on these Indian lands shall be deemed a civil cause of action. Therefore, this bill allows the tribe and third parties to resolve contract disputes in state court.
The bill also authorizes the tribe to lease its land held in trust for a term of up to 99 years.
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. 1508
A BILL
Shivwits Band of Paiutes Jurisdictional Clarity Act
Sponsor: Sen. John R. Curtis (R-UT) · Introduced Apr 29, 2025 · Native Americans · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Dec 17, 2025: “Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.”