Bill would give five Alaska towns Native corporations and federal land

What does this do?

The bill lets Alaska Natives in Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee, and Wrangell form Native "Urban Corporations" and receive land and stock shares under ANCSA, the 1971 law that originally excluded them. Each corporation would get 100 shares of stock and about 23,040 acres of national forest land, totaling roughly 115,000 acres, with public hunting, fishing, and recreational access largely preserved.

Who does it affect?

Alaska Native residents and descendants of the five communities would gain corporate ownership and land. The U.S. Forest Service, State of Alaska, mining and outfitting businesses, and recreational land users would also be affected.

Why does it matter?

Land management and ownership would shift from federal to Native corporate control, though existing roads, trails, and access agreements would generally continue.

What does it cost, and who pays?

• $12.5m in federal grants
• helps new corporations start up