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Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia Federal Recognition Act

USA119th CongressHR-5327| House 
| Updated: 9/11/2025
Jennifer L. McClellan

Jennifer L. McClellan

Democratic Representative

Virginia

Cosponsors (1)
Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (Democratic)

Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill grants federal recognition to the Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia, thereby making the Tribe and its members eligible for all federal services and benefits provided to federally recognized Indian Tribes. The legislation specifies that all laws and regulations generally applicable to Indian Tribes will apply to the Nottoway Tribe. For the purpose of delivering federal services, the Tribe's designated service area will encompass seven counties in Virginia: Nottoway, Southampton, Sussex, Surry, Isle of Wight, Franklin, and Dinwiddie. The Act outlines a process for establishing a reservation for the Tribe, allowing the Secretary of the Interior to take land into trust for the Tribe's benefit. Specifically, any land held in fee by the Tribe before January 1, 2022, located within Southampton, Sussex, Surry, Isle of Wight, Nottoway, and Dinwiddie counties, must be taken into trust upon the Tribe's request. The Secretary may also take other lands into trust within these same counties, with a final determination required within three years of a request. Lands taken into trust under the mandatory provision will be considered part of the Tribe's reservation upon request. However, the bill includes significant limitations on the newly recognized Tribe. It explicitly prohibits the Tribe from conducting any gaming activities , whether under claimed inherent authority or any federal law, including the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Furthermore, the legislation clarifies that it does not expand, reduce, or otherwise affect the Tribe's existing hunting, fishing, trapping, gathering, or water rights. The application of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 also remains unaffected by this Act.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-10191
Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia Federal Recognition Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-9630
Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe of Virginia Federal Recognition Act
Sep 11, 2025
Introduced in House
Sep 11, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-10191
    Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia Federal Recognition Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-9630
    Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe of Virginia Federal Recognition Act


  • September 11, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • September 11, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Native Americans

Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia Federal Recognition Act

USA119th CongressHR-5327| House 
| Updated: 9/11/2025
This bill grants federal recognition to the Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia, thereby making the Tribe and its members eligible for all federal services and benefits provided to federally recognized Indian Tribes. The legislation specifies that all laws and regulations generally applicable to Indian Tribes will apply to the Nottoway Tribe. For the purpose of delivering federal services, the Tribe's designated service area will encompass seven counties in Virginia: Nottoway, Southampton, Sussex, Surry, Isle of Wight, Franklin, and Dinwiddie. The Act outlines a process for establishing a reservation for the Tribe, allowing the Secretary of the Interior to take land into trust for the Tribe's benefit. Specifically, any land held in fee by the Tribe before January 1, 2022, located within Southampton, Sussex, Surry, Isle of Wight, Nottoway, and Dinwiddie counties, must be taken into trust upon the Tribe's request. The Secretary may also take other lands into trust within these same counties, with a final determination required within three years of a request. Lands taken into trust under the mandatory provision will be considered part of the Tribe's reservation upon request. However, the bill includes significant limitations on the newly recognized Tribe. It explicitly prohibits the Tribe from conducting any gaming activities , whether under claimed inherent authority or any federal law, including the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Furthermore, the legislation clarifies that it does not expand, reduce, or otherwise affect the Tribe's existing hunting, fishing, trapping, gathering, or water rights. The application of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 also remains unaffected by this Act.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-10191
Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia Federal Recognition Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-9630
Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe of Virginia Federal Recognition Act
Sep 11, 2025
Introduced in House
Sep 11, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-10191
    Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia Federal Recognition Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-9630
    Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe of Virginia Federal Recognition Act


  • September 11, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • September 11, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Jennifer L. McClellan

Jennifer L. McClellan

Democratic Representative

Virginia

Cosponsors (1)
Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (Democratic)

Natural Resources Committee

Native Americans

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted