Bill Overview
Title: San Juan Southern Paiute Tribal Homelands Act of 2022
Description: This bill approves, ratifies, and confirms a specified treaty entered into by the Navajo Nation and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, thus settling land claims and other disputes. It also proclaims approximately 5,400 acres of land as the San Juan Southern Paiute Reservation to be held in trust as a reservation for the exclusive benefit of the tribe.
Sponsors: Rep. O'Halleran, Tom [D-AZ-1]
Target Audience
Population: San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe members
Estimated Size: 300
- The San Juan Southern Paiute Tribal Homelands Act of 2022 directly impacts the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, as it formalizes their land claims and disputes with the Navajo Nation.
- Given the tribe's location and demographic population, the primary beneficiaries are the members of the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe.
- This act involves approximately 5,400 acres of land that will be held in trust exclusively for the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe.
Reasoning
- The San Juan Southern Paiute Tribal Homelands Act of 2022 primarily affects Native American tribes, particularly the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe. This is a small, specific population directly impacted by the policy.
- The policy's budget constraints are considered to ensure that its effects on wellbeing can be clearly observed without overstating its reach beyond the targeted population.
- In analyzing the impact, we need to simulate a set of interviews that reflect diverse perspectives, including those who may not directly benefit but are indirectly affected due to proximity or association with the tribes involved.
Simulated Interviews
Tribal Council Member (Tuba City, Arizona)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy has been a long time coming. It's a relief to have our land recognized and secured. It means better futures for our children.
- There will be challenges in managing the land, but this is a historic win for us.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Construction Worker (Flagstaff, Arizona)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad the disputes are settled. This could lead to new construction projects and jobs in the area.
- It's always good to see our tribal neighbors getting justice.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Entrepreneur (Kayenta, Arizona)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This land policy will help my business grow as it'll lead to more economic activities and stability.
- I'm excited for increased tourism and more exposure for our culture.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Retired Professor (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a relief to see the tribes getting the recognition and rights they deserve.
- This is an opportunity to improve educational outcomes for the tribe's youth.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Policy Analyst (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
Age: 54 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act is a significant legal and cultural milestone.
- It could serve as a model for resolving other tribal land disputes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
College Student (Farmington, New Mexico)
Age: 19 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy gives me hope for my future career in tribal law.
- It's encouraging to see progress in such disputes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Journalist (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This will provide me more stories to cover and educate the public about Native issues.
- It's an opportunity to highlight the culture and challenges of the Paiute tribe.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Healthcare Worker (San Juan County, Utah)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could improve health conditions by stabilizing living situations.
- I'm hopeful it'll lead to better healthcare funding and services to these remote areas.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Rancher (Nevada)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy might lead to stronger relationships and understanding between land holders.
- I'm concerned about any potential restrictions or changes in land management.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Activist (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 36 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This legislation is a victory for indigenous rights activists like myself.
- It sets an inspiring example for peaceful resolutions and empowerment of Native communities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $25000000)
Year 2: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 3: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 5: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $7000000)
Year 10: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $7000000)
Year 100: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $7000000)
Key Considerations
- The act resolves long-standing disputes between the Navajo Nation and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, potentially reducing litigation costs for the federal government.
- The land put into trust status will still require oversight and ongoing federal support.
- These actions may set a precedent for similar tribal land claim settlements, influencing federal policy and budget in the future.