Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2025

# Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2025 - Plain Language Summary **What the Bill Does:** This law changes rules about land ownership for Alaska Native villages. Previously, under a 1971 settlement law, Alaska Native village corporations had to give certain lands to the state of Alaska to be held in trust for future local governments. This bill removes that requirement, allowing villages to keep control of their lands instead.

It also lets village corporations reclaim any lands currently held in trust by the state if the village corporation and local residents vote to dissolve the trust. **Who It Affects:** The law primarily affects Alaska Native village corporations and their communities across Alaska. It gives these villages more control over their own lands and resources, which could impact future development, revenue, and self-governance in these communities. **Current Status:** The bill has already been signed into law. It was introduced by Representative Nicholas Begich (R-Alaska) in the 119th Congress and has completed the legislative process.