The Tribal Emergency Response Resources Act (TERRA Act) streamlines federal funding and support for Indian tribes dealing with environmental damage, climate disasters, and necessary relocations by consolidating multiple federal funding streams into single, comprehensive plans administered by the Department of Interior. Under this legislation, tribes gain flexibility to reallocate consolidated federal funds across approved activities, submit a single annual report instead of separate filings for each program, and request waivers of federal requirements such as matching funds or competitive processes—with waivers automatically granted after 45 days unless an agency objects. The bill establishes a presumption of approval for submitted plans within 90 days, expedites environmental reviews and permits through coordinated one-year federal agency timelines, and creates streamlined procedures for converting tribal-owned land to federal trust status. Tribes can also carry over unused funds indefinitely, retain all indirect costs and interest earned, and use transferred federal funds to satisfy matching requirements under other programs, with federal funding levels guaranteed not to decrease due to the law's implementation. The Secretary of Interior must report to Congress within two years on the Act's progress.
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