S. 1301: Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2025, aims to clarify the rights of Indian Tribes and their enterprises concerning labor relations on Indian lands. Here’s a breakdown of its key elements:

Purpose of the Bill

The main objective of this bill is to amend the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) to make it clear that Indian Tribes and their related organizations are recognized as employers. This recognition allows them to operate independently of certain labor regulations that apply to non-tribal entities.

Definitions Included in the Bill

The bill provides clear definitions for several important terms related to Indian Tribes and their land:

• Indian Tribe: This term refers to any recognized tribal entity eligible for special federal programs due to its status as an Indian Tribe.
• Indian: This refers to any individual who is a member of an Indian Tribe.
• Indian Lands: This encompasses:
  • All lands within any Indian reservation.
  • Lands held in trust by the United States for the benefit of an Indian Tribe or individual, or lands held by an Indian Tribe with certain restrictions.
  • Any lands in Oklahoma that are within the boundaries of past reservations of federally recognized Indian Tribes.

Impact on Labor Relations

By designating Indian Tribes as employers under the NLRA, the bill would exempt them from certain federal labor regulations and give them greater autonomy to manage labor relations on their lands. This could affect collective bargaining rights and how labor disputes are resolved within these tribal jurisdictions.

Legislative Journey

The bill was introduced by Senator Moran and co-sponsored by several other senators. It has been referred to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs for further discussion and review.

Relevant Companies

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