text: SECTION 1. ALEXANDER CREEK VILLAGE RECOGNITION.
  
      The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) is 
  amended by adding at the end the following:
  
  ``SEC. 43. ALEXANDER CREEK VILLAGE RECOGNITION.
  
      ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
              ``(1) Agency.--The term `agency' includes--
                      ``(A) any instrumentality of the United States;
                      ``(B) any element of an agency; and
                      ``(C) any wholly owned or mixed-owned corporation 
                  of the Federal Government identified in chapter 91 of 
                  title 31, United States Code.
              ``(2) Alexander creek.--The term `Alexander Creek' means 
          Alexander Creek, Incorporated, a Village Corporation recognized 
          and organized pursuant to section (b).
              ``(3) Region.--The term `Region' means Cook Inlet Region 
          Incorporated, a Regional Corporation, which is the appropriate 
          Regional Corporation for Alexander Creek under section 14(h).
      ``(b) Recognition of the Village of Alexander Creek.--Subject to 
  the limitations of this section and notwithstanding subsection (d) of 
  section 1432 of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act 
  (Public Law 96-487; 94 Stat. 2543) or any conveyance under that 
  section, Alexander Creek, Incorporated, a Group Corporation organized 
  pursuant to this Act located within T. 15 N., R. 7 W., Seward Meridian, 
  Alaska, is recognized as an eligible Native village under section 
  11(b)(3).
      ``(c) Organization of Alexander Creek.--As soon as practicable 
  after the date of enactment of this section, Alexander Creek shall file 
  in the State--
              ``(1) any amendments to the corporate charter of Alexander 
          Creek that are necessary to convert from a Group Corporation to 
          a Village Corporation; and
              ``(2) any amendments to the corporate charter and governing 
          business documents of Alexander Creek that are necessary to 
          fulfill the terms of the agreement authorized under subsection 
          (d).
      ``(d) Negotiations; Agreement.--
              ``(1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date of 
          enactment of this section, the Secretary shall commence 
          negotiations with Alexander Creek to fairly and equitably 
          settle any aboriginal land claims and any other claims that 
          Alexander Creek has against the United States.
              ``(2) Agreement.--
                      ``(A) Deadline.--Not later than 13 months after the 
                  date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall 
                  enter into an agreement with Alexander Creek relating 
                  to the claims described in paragraph (1).
                      ``(B) Terms.--Notwithstanding the prior status of 
                  Alexander Creek as a Group Corporation, an agreement 
                  under this paragraph shall be in approximate value 
                  parity, considering inflation, with agreements of other 
                  Village Corporations.
                      ``(C) Availability of funds.--Any funds to be 
                  provided for Alexander Creek under an agreement entered 
                  into under this paragraph shall be available subject to 
                  appropriations.
                      ``(D) Applicable law.--
                              ``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall 
                          carry out an agreement entered into under this 
                          paragraph--
                                      ``(I) in accordance with this 
                                  section and other existing authorities; 
                                  and
                                      ``(II) in coordination with the 
                                  Administrator of General Services 
                                  pursuant to section 549 of title 40, 
                                  United States Code, with respect to 
                                  property to be transferred to Alexander 
                                  Creek pursuant to the agreement, 
                                  subject to clause (ii).
                              ``(ii) Consideration as state.--
                          Notwithstanding paragraphs (2) and (3) of 
                          section 549(a) of title 40, United States Code, 
                          Alexander Creek shall be considered a `State' 
                          and a `State agency' under that section for the 
                          purposes of the Secretary carrying out an 
                          agreement under this paragraph.
      ``(e) Shareholder Participation.--
              ``(1) In general.--Alexander Creek shall notify each member 
          of the Village Corporation recognized under subsection (b) 
          that, as of the date of enactment of this section--
                      ``(A) the member shall cease to receive benefits 
                  from the Region as at-large shareholders pursuant to 
                  section 7(m); and
                      ``(B) all future resource payments from the Region 
                  shall be made to the Village Corporation pursuant to 
                  section 7(j).
              ``(2) Limitation of liability.--The Region shall not be 
          liable under any Federal, State, or local law or under Federal 
          or State common law for damages arising out of or related to 
          the cessation of payments to the members of Alexander Creek 
          described in paragraph (1)(A).
      ``(f) Effect.--Except as provided in this section with respect to 
  Alexander Creek, nothing in this section--
              ``(1) modifies or amends any land conveyance entitlement or 
          conveyance agreement--
                      ``(A) between the Region and a Village Corporation 
                  (other than Alexander Creek) in the Region;
                      ``(B) between the Region and the Federal 
                  Government; or
                      ``(C) between any party described in subparagraph 
                  (A) or (B) and the State; or
              ``(2) reduces the land entitlement to which Alexander Creek 
          became entitled as a Group Corporation, including the land 
          selected by and conveyed to Alexander Creek on the date of 
          enactment of this section.''.
target: This bill amends the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to recognize Alexander Creek as a Native village. Currently, Alexander Creek is recognized as a Native group. (Under the Act, a Native village is entitled to more land than a Native group.) Alexander Creek must file any amendments to its corporate charter that are necessary to convert from a Native group to a Native village. The Department of the Interior must negotiate with Alexander Creek to fairly and equitably settle aboriginal land claims and any other claims against the United States. Alexander Creek must notify its members that the Cook Inlet regional corporation will make future payments to the village instead of to individual members. The regional corporation is not liable for damages related to cessation of payments to individual members of Alexander Creek.
feat_title: A bill to amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to recognize Alexander Creek, Alaska, as a Native village, and for other purposes.