Brief History of the 477 Law

Public Law 102-477 was enacted on October 23, 1992, establishing a demonstration project that involved four federal agencies: the Department of the Interior (DOI), Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor (DOL), and Education (DOEd). This law granted Tribes the authority to integrate various federal programs related to employment, training, and services under a consolidated "477 Plan." This integration allowed Tribes to redesign and reallocate program funds from different sources to better address their specific priorities, all while operating under the oversight of the Secretary of the Interior.

On December 25, 2000, Public Law 106-568 expanded this authority by permitting Tribes to reprogram and reallocate up to 25% of their total consolidated funds under the 477 Plan specifically for economic development and job creation activities. This amendment linked economic development initiatives directly to workforce development, enhancing opportunities for tribal members.

On December 18, 2017, Public Law 115-93, known as the "Indian Employment, Training and Related Services Consolidation Act of 2017," transitioned the framework established by Public Law 102-477 from a demonstration project to a permanent law. This act also expanded the number of federal agencies authorized to participate in the program from four to twelve, further increasing the support available for Tribes to manage and integrate their employment and training services effectively.