To make technical amendments to update statutory references to certain provisions which were formerly classified to chapters 14 and 19 of title 25, United States Code, and to correct related technical errors.
This bill is a technical, housekeeping measure intended to update and correct statutory cross-references across the United States Code to reflect the current codification of provisions that were formerly classified to chapters 14 and 19 of title 25. In practical terms, it rewrites numerous citations to older 25 U.S.C. sections (notably those labeled 450b and related references) to their modern equivalents (such as 5304, 5321, 5123, 5101 et seq., etc.). The aim is to ensure that references in a wide array of laws and programs tied to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act and related tribal provisions point to the correct, current code sections. The bill does not appear to create new policy or authorize new spending; its effect is largely administrative and aimed at reducing citation errors. The bill was introduced in the House by Representative Baumgartner on July 22, 2025, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. If enacted, agencies, courts, and practitioners would need to rely on the updated citations, which could require administrative updates to regulations, guidance, and other legal documents that currently cite the older 25 U.S.C. sections.
Key Points
- 1Broad cross-reference updates: The bill systematically updates references in numerous titles of the U.S. Code (including Titles 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 15, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 25) to reflect current codification of provisions originally found in chapters 14 and 19 of 25 U.S.C., using new sections such as 5301 et seq., 5321 et seq., 5304, 5130, 5101 et seq., and related codes.
- 2Focus on the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act and related tribal statutory references: The amendments consistently replace older citations (e.g., 25 U.S.C. 450b, 25 U.S.C. 479a, etc.) with modern references (e.g., 25 U.S.C. 5304, 25 U.S.C. 5321, 25 U.S.C. 5130, etc.), aligning with current codification.
- 3Section 1 and Section 2-14 illustrate the scope: Section 1 updates a Lobbying Disclosure Act citation; Section 2 through Section 14 (and extensively into Section 15) perform targeted cross-reference corrections across many chapters and acts, spanning agencies, health, education, agriculture, defense-related, energy, and environmental statutes that interact with tribal programs.
- 4Section 5-15 (and beyond): Additional updates in Titles 8, 10, 12, 15, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 25 show a concerted effort to replace references to older 25 U.S.C. sections with the current 25 U.S.C. 530x series and related provisions, especially those connected to ISDA and tribal self-determination authorities.
- 5Legislative status: Introduced in the House by Rep. Baumgartner on July 22, 2025; referred to the Judiciary Committee. No text indicating passage or Senate action is provided.