Cheroenhaka Federal Recognition Act

Summary#

This bill would give federal recognition to the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe of Southampton County, Virginia. It says all United States laws of general applicability to Indian tribes (including the Act of June 18, 1934) apply to the Tribe unless they conflict with this bill. The Tribe and its enrolled members would be eligible for federal services and benefits provided to federally recognized tribes. The bill sets the Tribe's membership roll and governing documents as the most recent ones the Tribe submitted to the Secretary of the Interior before the bill is enacted. The existing governing body at enactment, or any later body elected under the Tribe's rules, would be the Tribe's governing body.

The Secretary of the Interior must, on request, take into trust any land the Tribe owned in fee that was acquired on or before January 1, 2007 and is inside Southampton County, Virginia. The Secretary must make a final decision on such a request within three years. If land is taken into trust, the Tribe can ask that land to be considered part of the Tribe's reservation. The bill also says the Tribe may not conduct gaming under inherent authority or under federal law, including the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Finally, the bill says it does not change any hunting, fishing, trapping, gathering, or water rights of the Tribe or tribal citizens.

What it means for you#

• Tribal citizens named on the Tribe's current membership roll would be recognized as members of a federally recognized tribe and would be eligible for federal services and benefits for recognized tribes.
• The Tribe can ask the Department of the Interior to place qualifying Tribal land (owned before January 1, 2007 and inside Southampton County) into trust; the Department must decide within three years of a request.
• Any land taken into trust can be designated part of the Tribe's reservation at the Tribe's request.
• The Tribe is explicitly prohibited from conducting gaming under federal law or by claimed inherent authority.
• The bill states it does not change hunting, fishing, trapping, gathering, or water rights.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on federal costs or savings appears in the bill text or metadata provided.

Proponents' View#

The bill's findings describe historical, genealogical, and cultural information meant to show the Tribe's continuous identity and presence in the region. The findings note the Tribe's historical records, state recognition by Virginia, a 2002 tribal reorganization, prior contact with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (OFA/Petitioner #264), existing tribal land holdings, and ongoing cultural activities. These findings are presented as reasons to extend federal recognition and the related benefits and trust land procedures described in the bill.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information on opponents' views or objections appears in the bill text or metadata provided.