Legis Daily

Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act

USA119th CongressHR-226| House 
| Updated: 2/5/2025
Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann

Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann

Republican Representative

Tennessee

Indian Affairs Committee, Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation, known as the "Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act," mandates that certain federal lands and permanent easements in Monroe County, Tennessee, be taken into trust by the United States for the benefit of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians . Specifically, it transfers approximately 76.1 acres of land managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) into trust, including properties designated for the Sequoyah museum, support facilities, and the Chota and Tanasi memorials. Additionally, permanent easements totaling about 19.9 acres are placed into trust, covering areas like the Chota peninsula and the Chota-Tanasi trail. The lands taken into trust are primarily intended for memorializing and interpreting the history and culture of Indians, as well as for recreational activities. This includes supporting the Sequoyah birthplace memorial and museum, memorials to Chota and Tanasi, and a reinterment site for Cherokee remains. The designated support property will house classrooms, cultural interpretation programs, and administrative offices for the trust properties and programs, while easement areas are for recreational trails. The bill establishes specific conditions for the use of these trust lands, particularly concerning the Tennessee Valley Authority's ongoing operations. The TVA retains the right to temporarily and intermittently flood lands below the 824-foot contour elevation and to draw down or fluctuate Tellico Reservoir levels as needed for its management. Furthermore, the TVA is solely responsible for environmental remediation requirements and assessing hazardous substances on the lands prior to their acquisition into trust. While the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians gains ownership and use rights, these must not interfere with the TVA's statutory program for river control and development. The Tribe may construct certain water use facilities and non-habitable structures with TVA consent. Notably, the legislation explicitly prohibits any Class II or Class III gaming activities on the lands taken into trust.

Bill Text Versions

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3 versions available

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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-453
Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-2088
Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-548
Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 115-146
Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act
Jan 7, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 7, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Feb 4, 2025
Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Feb 4, 2025
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H447-449)
Feb 4, 2025
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 226.
Feb 4, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H447-448)
Feb 4, 2025
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H447-448)
Feb 4, 2025
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Feb 5, 2025
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-453
    Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-2088
    Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-548
    Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 115-146
    Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act


  • January 7, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 7, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.


  • February 4, 2025
    Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.


  • February 4, 2025
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H447-449)


  • February 4, 2025
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 226.


  • February 4, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H447-448)


  • February 4, 2025
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H447-448)


  • February 4, 2025
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • February 5, 2025
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

Native Americans

Alternative and renewable resourcesElectric power generation and transmissionFloods and storm protectionHistorical and cultural resourcesHistoric sites and heritage areasIndian lands and resources rightsLakes and riversLand transfersLand use and conservationMonuments and memorialsMuseums, exhibitions, cultural centersParks, recreation areas, trailsTennesseeWater storageWater use and supply

Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act

USA119th CongressHR-226| House 
| Updated: 2/5/2025
This legislation, known as the "Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act," mandates that certain federal lands and permanent easements in Monroe County, Tennessee, be taken into trust by the United States for the benefit of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians . Specifically, it transfers approximately 76.1 acres of land managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) into trust, including properties designated for the Sequoyah museum, support facilities, and the Chota and Tanasi memorials. Additionally, permanent easements totaling about 19.9 acres are placed into trust, covering areas like the Chota peninsula and the Chota-Tanasi trail. The lands taken into trust are primarily intended for memorializing and interpreting the history and culture of Indians, as well as for recreational activities. This includes supporting the Sequoyah birthplace memorial and museum, memorials to Chota and Tanasi, and a reinterment site for Cherokee remains. The designated support property will house classrooms, cultural interpretation programs, and administrative offices for the trust properties and programs, while easement areas are for recreational trails. The bill establishes specific conditions for the use of these trust lands, particularly concerning the Tennessee Valley Authority's ongoing operations. The TVA retains the right to temporarily and intermittently flood lands below the 824-foot contour elevation and to draw down or fluctuate Tellico Reservoir levels as needed for its management. Furthermore, the TVA is solely responsible for environmental remediation requirements and assessing hazardous substances on the lands prior to their acquisition into trust. While the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians gains ownership and use rights, these must not interfere with the TVA's statutory program for river control and development. The Tribe may construct certain water use facilities and non-habitable structures with TVA consent. Notably, the legislation explicitly prohibits any Class II or Class III gaming activities on the lands taken into trust.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
3 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-453
Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-2088
Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-548
Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 115-146
Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act
Jan 7, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 7, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Feb 4, 2025
Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Feb 4, 2025
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H447-449)
Feb 4, 2025
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 226.
Feb 4, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H447-448)
Feb 4, 2025
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H447-448)
Feb 4, 2025
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Feb 5, 2025
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-453
    Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-2088
    Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-548
    Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 115-146
    Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act


  • January 7, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 7, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.


  • February 4, 2025
    Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.


  • February 4, 2025
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H447-449)


  • February 4, 2025
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 226.


  • February 4, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H447-448)


  • February 4, 2025
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H447-448)


  • February 4, 2025
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • February 5, 2025
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann

Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann

Republican Representative

Tennessee

Indian Affairs Committee, Natural Resources Committee

Native Americans

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Alternative and renewable resourcesElectric power generation and transmissionFloods and storm protectionHistorical and cultural resourcesHistoric sites and heritage areasIndian lands and resources rightsLakes and riversLand transfersLand use and conservationMonuments and memorialsMuseums, exhibitions, cultural centersParks, recreation areas, trailsTennesseeWater storageWater use and supply