Lumbee Fairness Act
Sponsored By: Representative Rouzer
Introduced
Summary
Explicit federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina would be established and the 1956 Lumbee Act would be rewritten to set how membership, services, land, and jurisdiction are handled.
Show full summary
- Tribal members and households: The bill would make the Tribe and its members eligible for federal Indian services after Congress is informed of needs following verification of a tribal roll. It defines the tribal roll as the roll in effect on enactment and limits verification to documentary proof of the Tribe’s 2001 constitution membership criteria, with a two-year deadline after the Tribe submits a digitized roll.
- Nearby petitioning groups: The bill would allow additional tribal groups in Robeson County and nearby areas to petition for federal acknowledgment under Part 83 of title 25 of the Code of Federal Regulations despite prior limitations in the 1956 Act.
- Land and legal authority: The Secretary of the Interior could take land into trust for the Tribe and treat land in Robeson County as on-reservation. North Carolina would retain authority over criminal offenses and civil actions on Indian country owned by the United States for the Tribe or its dependents, but the Secretary may accept a transfer of jurisdiction to the United States after consultation and a two-year waiting period.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Federal recognition for Lumbee members
If enacted, the Lumbee Tribe would receive federal recognition. Tribe members would become eligible for federal Indian health, housing, and education programs. Eligibility would follow the tribal roll in effect on enactment. Verification would be limited to documents that show members meet the Tribe’s 2001 constitution rules. The constitution was adopted on November 16, 2001. Verification would be due within two years after the Tribe sends a digitized roll. For services, members in Robeson, Cumberland, Hoke, and Scotland counties would count as living on or near a reservation. After verification, Interior and HHS would consult the Tribe and send Congress a written needs report.
Easier trust land in Robeson County
If enacted, Interior could take land into trust for the Lumbee Tribe. Trust land can qualify for federal programs tied to reservation land. Any trust application in Robeson County would be treated as on-reservation.
Who handles cases on Lumbee lands
If enacted, North Carolina would handle criminal and civil cases on Lumbee trust and tribal lands. Interior could accept a later transfer of some or all of that authority from the State. The Secretary would consult the U.S. Attorney General before accepting a transfer. Any transfer would start two years after the agreement takes effect.
Path for nearby groups to seek recognition
If enacted, Indian groups in Robeson and nearby counties could seek federal recognition. Their members must not be on the verified Lumbee tribal roll. Petitions would follow 25 CFR Part 83 rules. This could let them seek access to federal Indian programs if recognition is later approved.
Free Policy Watch
You just read the policy. Now see what it costs you.
Pick a topic. PRIA runs your household against live legislation and sends you a free personalized readout.
Pick a topic to get started
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rouzer
NC • R
Cosponsors
Harris (NC)
NC • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Hudson
NC • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4]
NC • D
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Murphy, Gregory F. [R-NC-3]
NC • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]
NC • D
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]
NC • D
Sponsored 1/16/2025
McDowell
NC • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Moore (NC)
NC • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]
CO • D
Sponsored 2/5/2025
Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12]
NC • D
Sponsored 3/10/2025
Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]
NE • R
Sponsored 7/25/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.govTake It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in