Series 5: Legislative Activities, 1964-1996 (Bulk 1984-1989)

The Legislative Activities series includes documents related to the creation, discussion, and reauthorization of laws concerning Native American health, self-determination, and other Indian-related issues. There are six sub-series: Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA), Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA), Other Indian Laws, Hearings, Association on American Indian Affairs (AAIA), and General. The first two sub-series contain bill drafts, analysis reports, congressional statements and testimonies, and correspondence concerned with renewing and amending the IHCIA and the ISDEAA. Johnson was heavily involved with the renewal of these acts; his testimonies and analyses of the various bill drafts are documented in each sub-series. The IHCIA sub-series is subdivided according to bill versions. The Other Indian Laws sub-series consists of material on a variety of specific laws and bills covering a wide range of Indian-related topics, such as gaming regulations, clinical staff recruitment, child welfare, metal health, and law enforcement reform. The Hearings sub-series documents various congressional and committee hearings through official testimony reports and witness statements, including statements made by Johnson and his successor Everett Rhoades. The AAIA sub-series contains correspondence between Johnson and the AAIA discussing different legislative drafts being worked on in the mid-to-late 1980s and early 1990s. The General sub-series consists of material on broader legal topics such as the government's relationship with Native Americans and Indian Health Reform. Folders in each sub-series are arranged chronologically by folder date.