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119-s-630119th Congress

Quapaw Tribal Settlement Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Mullin, Markwayne [R-OK-2]

In Committee

Summary

Creates and funds a $137.5 million trust to settle claims with the Quapaw Nation and pay named tribal members per a court review panel’s recommendations. This bill would set up the Quapaw Bear Settlement Trust Account and a formal process to allocate the settlement among the tribe and listed individual claimants.

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  • Quapaw Nation and the named individual claimants would receive payments distributed under the Review Panel’s January 2020 report. Payments would follow a distribution plan the claimants submit or a binding allocation by the Secretary.
  • Claimants must try confidential mediation within 45 days and may ask the Secretary to decide allocations if they do not agree within 18 months. The Secretary’s allocation process uses a defined schedule for hearings and decisions.
  • The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Trust Funds Administration would hold and manage the trust. The Secretary would direct a single $137.5 million transfer from Treasury into the trust account.

*Would authorize a one-time $137.5 million payment from Treasury, increasing federal outlays.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

One-time $137.5M payment to Quapaw

If enacted, the bill would define the named Claimants who may receive the settlement. It would create the "Quapaw Bear Settlement Trust Account" at the Interior Department. The Secretary of the Interior would administer the account. The Secretary of the Treasury would transfer a single $137,500,000 payment from Treasury funds not otherwise appropriated to that trust account, and the payment would be made in accordance with the Review Panel report.

Mediation and allocation rules for claimants

If enacted, Claimants would have to submit allocation and distribution issues to a mutually agreed third-party mediator no more than 45 days after enactment. Mediation would be confidential and non-binding without written consent, and each Claimant would pay its own costs and share mediator and facility fees equally. If Claimants agree on a plan, the Secretary would distribute funds per that plan. If not, any Claimant could petition the Secretary and the Secretary must start a Secretarial Allocation if no agreement exists within 18 months. The Secretary would follow specified deadlines for scheduling, hearings, briefs, a final decision, and distribution, and may use the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service for support.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Mullin, Markwayne [R-OK-2]

OK • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]

    OK • R

    Sponsored 2/19/2025

  • Sen. Armstrong, Alan [R-OK]

    OK • R

    Sponsored 5/19/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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