Financial Management: Native American Trust Fund Management Reform Legislation
Highlights
GAO discussed proposed legislation to reform the management of Indian trust funds. GAO noted that: (1) Department of the Interior financial systems, internal controls, and policies and procedures do not ensure that balances of Indian trust funds are accurate or that Indian natural resources are managed to maximize revenue; (2) Interior has taken initial actions to improve Indian trust fund management, but additional steps are needed; (3) the proposed legislation would enhance management reform initiatives by providing legislative emphasis and authority for additional reforms; and (4) although it supports the legislative provisions in general, certain aspects of the bills need to be more clearly defined and elaborated upon.