S. 107 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Jan 16, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryExtends federal recognition to Lumbee Tribe
This bill grants federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, a status that Native American tribes seek to access federal services and protections. Once recognized, the tribe's members become eligible for the same services and benefits that the federal government provides to other federally recognized tribes. The bill also allows the Department of the Interior to hold land in trust for the tribe and requires federal agencies to work with the tribe to figure out what services members need.
How it affects you
Members of the Lumbee Tribe in Robeson, Cumberland, Hoke, and Scotland Counties in North Carolina would directly gain access to federal health, education, and other services available to federally recognized tribes. For most other Americans, this is primarily a matter of how the federal government recognizes and serves this Native American community.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Jan 16, 2025)
Lumbee Fairness Act
This bill extends federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and makes its members eligible for the services and benefits provided to members of federally recognized tribes.
Members of the tribe residing in Robeson, Cumberland, Hoke, and Scotland Counties in North Carolina are deemed to be within the delivery area for such services.
The Department of the Interior and the Department of Health and Human Services must develop, in consultation with the tribe, a determination of needs to provide the services for which members of the tribe are eligible.
Interior may take land into trust for the benefit of the tribe.
Finally, North Carolina must exercise jurisdiction over all criminal offenses committed, and all civil actions that arise, on North Carolina lands owned by, or held in trust for, the Lumbee Tribe or any dependent Indian community of the tribe unless jurisdiction is transferred to the United States pursuant to an agreement between the tribe and the state.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 107
A BILL
Lumbee Fairness Act
Sponsor: Sen. Thomas Tillis (R-NC) · Introduced Jan 16, 2025 · Native Americans · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Nov 5, 2025: “Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-275.”