Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The House of Representatives voted 35-4 Wednesday to pass House Bill 123, a bill that formally recognizes the Alaska Native Tribes. The bill does not change the State’s relationship with Tribes but affirms their status in the State. According to Alaska Native News, Bethel Representative Tiffany Zulkosky said that the bill is significant because it is difficult to speak about expanding the relationship with Tribes when the State doesn’t acknowledge them in Alaska statute. Dillingham Representative Bryce Edgmon Dillingham commented that recognizing Tribes in statute can help bring millions of dollars into the state to help provide better services in rural Alaska.