Haskell Indian Nations University Improvement Act
Sponsored By: Senator Jerry Moran
Introduced
Summary
Creates a federally chartered, tuition-free university for American Indian students. The bill would convert Haskell into an independent, tax-exempt nonprofit corporation with its own Board, endowment, and authority to receive Federal grants and private donations.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Tuition-free access for Tribal students
If enacted, the University would be able to offer tuition-free study to people defined as "Indians" in the Act. The University could limit admission to Tribal members, descendants of a Tribal grandparent, or people with one-quarter blood shown by a CDIB. The University could give hiring, contract, fellowship, and grant preference to Tribal members. The University President must, to the maximum extent practicable, give hiring preference to Tribal members.
Big change to University jobs and benefits
If enacted, the University would be exempt from most federal civil service rules. Civil service positions at the legacy institution would end on enactment and the University President, with Board approval, would hire staff and set pay and benefits. Staff transferred to the University would keep their pay and classification for one year. The University must contribute toward health and retirement at levels like Federal agencies and make employees eligible if contributions are met. Initial Board nominees and all employees would undergo background checks and the Board must certify checks each year.
Grants, budgets, and campus planning
If enacted, the Interior Secretary would provide grants and related help to the University. The Board must send a budget proposal to OMB for advice and then to Congress, starting within 180 days after the initial Board is confirmed and each year by April 1 for the next two fiscal years. Congress would not consider private fundraising when deciding appropriations based on that proposal. The Board must prepare a master campus facilities plan and send it to Congress within two years and at least every five years after. The law would require keeping non-Federal funds separate from Federal funds for accounting.
New Board composition and rules
If enacted, the University would have a 15-member voting Board and one nonvoting student member. Voting members would be enrolled Tribal members with education experience. The initial Board would include designees for each Bureau of Indian Affairs region, one designee for the Indian Tribes of Kansas, one alumni member, and one at-large Tribal member. The Secretary must publish nomination procedures in the Federal Register within 90 days and set nomination and appointment deadlines so the President can appoint members within a set timetable.
New University trust and federal capital
If enacted, the bill would create a trust fund for the University and authorize an initial $5 million federal capital contribution for fiscal year 2026. The University would need to deposit $5 million for each $5 million it raises privately as a matched capital contribution. The bill would authorize not less than $27 million each fiscal year to carry out the Act. Interest from the trust could be used to help pay University operating costs and trust funds could secure loans for buildings.
Property, liability, and tax rules
If enacted, the Secretary would convey the legacy institution's land and buildings to the University on enactment. Conveyed property must be used for the Act's purposes and generally may not be sold, though facilities could be transferred to the Indian Health Service. The University and its assets would be exempt from Federal, Tribal, State, and local taxes. The University would be barred from issuing stock, paying dividends, or supporting political campaigns. The University would be treated like a Federal agency for tort claims, and the Interior Secretary would pay obligations from before enactment while the University would pay obligations after enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Jerry Moran
KS • R
Cosponsors
Markwayne Mullin
OK • R
Sponsored 6/23/2025
Roger Marshall
KS • R
Sponsored 6/23/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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