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Congress·In Committee·8 months ago

House Bill Would Give Haskell Indian Nations University Independent Board, Federal Charter

Also known as: Haskell Indian Nations University Improvement Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impacts

Positive Impacts(1)
Tribal Member
Helps

Key Points

  • Makes Haskell Indian Nations University a federally chartered university, no longer run day-to-day by the Bureau of Indian Education.
  • Keeps the school tuition-free for Indian students and lets it accept private donations as a charitable, nonprofit organization.
  • Creates a 15-member Board of Trustees (plus a student leader as nonvoting) that Trump would appoint with Senate approval, with Tribal input.
  • Changes how the school hires and manages staff, including required background checks and new workplace rules outside the usual federal civil service system.
  • Sets up an endowment trust fund and allows yearly federal funding, with at least $27 million a year authorized plus endowment support tied to fundraising.
EducationCivil RightsTaxes

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Jun 23, 2025House

Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Jun 23, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

On the date the bill is enacted (signed into law)

Haskell becomes a federally chartered corporation and takes over operations

The school is no longer run as a Bureau of Indian Education-operated institution; an independent Board governs, and school rules can change faster (HR policies, procurement, management).

Immediately on enactment, with 1-year pay/grade protection window after transfer

Civil service positions at Haskell end and jobs move under the new University

Employees shift into a new employment system that is mostly outside standard federal civil service rules, with pay/grade protection for 1 year for transferred personnel.

No later than 90 days after enactment

Interior Department publishes nomination procedures for the first Board seats

Tribes and Tribal organizations get clear instructions and deadlines to submit nominations for regional Board representatives.

Nomination submission date within 60 days after procedures are published; nominations to the President within 90 days after that; appointments within 90 days after nominations are submitted

Deadlines for Tribal nominations and President appointments to the Board roll out

The first Board gets filled through a set schedule; once members are confirmed, governance and budgeting shift to the Board.

After the Board is seated; must be finalized no later than 2 years after enactment

University President is selected by the new Board (interim president continues until then)

Leadership becomes accountable to the Board; major decisions about staffing, campus services, and spending are consolidated under the President the Board selects.

No later than 180 days after the University President is appointed by the Board

New or updated workplace rules are issued (pay, leave, discipline, grievance steps)

Employees may shift into a new leave system and new workplace procedures; there must be a grievance process and notice before firing.

No later than 2 years after enactment

Facilities master plan is delivered to Congress

Students and staff get a prioritized roadmap for repairs and new construction, which can guide future funding and campus improvements.

No later than 180 days after initial Board members are confirmed; then by April 1 each year

First Board budget proposal is sent to Congress (after OMB review)

Funding requests become more directly tied to the University’s own plan; Congress is told not to reduce appropriations just because the University fundraises.

By September 1 each year for certification; IG audits annually

Annual background-check certification and Inspector General audits occur

Parents and students may see stronger screening and accountability; employees see ongoing compliance checks. The Board must certify background checks by September 1 each year.

Related News

4 articles
KMUW·8 months ago

Kansas federal lawmakers want Haskell Indian Nations University to control itself

Kansas Republicans introduced the Haskell Indian Nations University Improvement Act to transfer governance from the Bureau of Indian Education to an independent Board of Regents. The bill reclassifies the school as a federally chartered corporation to address years of federal mismanagement.

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Tribal College Journal·4 months ago

In the Crosshairs: Advocating to Save Haskell Indian Nations University and Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute

Following mass layoffs of federal employees by the Trump administration's DOGE initiative, advocates are pushing for the Haskell Improvement Act. The bill would grant the university a federal charter, allowing it to operate as a nonprofit and accept private donations while remaining tuition-free.

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News From The States·9 months ago

Impact of drastic federal funding cuts on tribal colleges, universities would be 'extremely dire'

As the Trump administration proposes a 90% cut to tribal college funding, the Haskell Indian Nations University Improvement Act is highlighted as a potential path toward autonomy. The bill seeks to protect the institution from federal volatility by establishing an independent governance structure.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Haskell Indian Nations University Improvement Act

Bill NumberHR 4085
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(3)
R: 3

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.