Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Cole
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create a time-limited federal Truth and Healing Commission to investigate Indian boarding school policies and document harms and promote healing for survivors and communities. It would gather records, hold trauma-informed regional convenings, identify burial sites, coordinate repatriation, and deliver federal recommendations.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Survivors subcommittee and supports
If enacted, the bill would create a 15-member Survivors Truth and Healing Subcommittee to represent regional survivors, descendants, and an educator. Nominations would be due within 90 days and members would be appointed at the Commission's first meeting or by the Senate Committee chair if needed. The subcommittee must ensure meetings are trauma-informed, provide private space and trauma care, and advise on convenings and public education. The Commission would hold at least one meeting in each of the 12 BIA regions and in Hawaiʻi, and starting one year after enactment would hold at least one convening each quarter to receive testimony.
Burial, repatriation, and co-stewardship
If enacted, the bill would clarify that NAGPRA applies to cultural items related to Indian boarding schools so tribes and descendants get repatriation and consultation rights. Federal agencies could enter co-stewardship agreements with tribes or descendants to manage cemeteries and school sites that contain remains. The bill would also require agencies to allow reburial on Federal land for items returned under NAGPRA or other disinterment processes when the parties agree.
Federal and faith advisory committee
If enacted, the Interior Department would host a 20-member Federal and Religious Truth and Healing Advisory Committee. It would include federal officials, the Commission chair, the Survivors Subcommittee chair, and three religious-institution representatives chosen by the White House office. The committee would coordinate federal and religious institution cooperation, help collect and preserve materials, and assist delivery of materials to the Commission. It would serve renewable two-year terms and end 90 days after the Commission files its final report. The committee's records would be exempt from the Privacy Act and certain FOIA disclosures until 90 days after the final report.
Create truth and healing commission
If enacted, the bill would create a Truth and Healing Commission in Congress to investigate Indian boarding schools. The Commission would get $90 million from named Indian funding sources to run its work. Tribes and Native organizations could nominate candidates within 90 days and members would be appointed within 180 days. The Commission could accept gifts, make contracts, hold private artifacts for review and repatriation, and could not use federal money to buy private objects. Commission members would be paid and get travel reimbursement while doing Commission work (daily pay rates and day limits set in the bill).
Native American advisory committee
If enacted, the bill would create a 19-member Native American Truth and Healing Advisory Committee to advise the Commission. The committee would include regional BIA and Hawaiʻi representatives, national organization reps, and at least two members with health or traditional healing experience. Nominations would be due within 90 days and appointments would be made at the Commission's first meeting (or by the Senate Committee chair if needed). Members would serve renewable two-year terms and the committee would end 90 days after the Commission files its final report.
No private lawsuits under bill
If enacted, the bill would not create any new private right of action for administrative or judicial relief. Individuals, tribes, and descendants would not be able to bring new lawsuits or appeals under this Act itself.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Cole
OK • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]
KS • D
Sponsored 2/3/2026
Ciscomani
AZ • R
Sponsored 2/4/2026
Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3]
TN • R
Sponsored 2/4/2026
Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4]
WA • R
Sponsored 2/4/2026
Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1]
MI • R
Sponsored 2/4/2026
Langworthy
NY • R
Sponsored 2/4/2026
Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]
NE • R
Sponsored 2/4/2026
Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2]
IN • R
Sponsored 2/9/2026
Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6]
FL • R
Sponsored 2/10/2026
Rep. Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9]
IN • R
Sponsored 2/20/2026
Kiley (CA)
CA • I
Sponsored 2/23/2026
Ellzey
TX • R
Sponsored 3/3/2026
Rutherford
FL • R
Sponsored 3/3/2026
Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2]
MI • R
Sponsored 3/18/2026
Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3]
NY • D
Sponsored 4/14/2026
Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large]
GU • R
Sponsored 4/14/2026
Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1]
KS • R
Sponsored 5/4/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov