Legis Daily

Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act

USA119th CongressS-105| Senate 
| Updated: 10/2/2025
Mike Rounds

Mike Rounds

Republican Senator

South Dakota

Cosponsors (1)
John Thune (Republican)

Indian Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The act directs the Secretary of the Interior to complete all necessary actions within 365 days to place approximately 40 acres of the Wounded Knee massacre site in restricted fee status for the Oglala Sioux and Cheyenne River tribes. It defines restricted fee status as ownership retained by the tribes, subject to tribal civil and criminal jurisdiction, exempt from state or local taxation, and not subject to federal review before use. The Secretary must also assign any existing private or municipal utility rights and service agreements to the tribes. The land remains subject to federal Indian laws and any existing encumbrances recorded at enactment. The tribes may use the land only for purposes authorized by the Covenant Between the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe , which specifically prohibits gaming activities under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The act preserves the land’s status as part of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and ensures that no transfer can occur without congressional and tribal consent. By formalizing the restricted fee status, the bill seeks to protect the sacred site, affirm tribal sovereignty, and prevent future disputes over ownership or jurisdiction. The Secretary’s actions will solidify the tribes’ control and facilitate the management of the memorial site.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2088
Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act
Jan 15, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jan 15, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Mar 5, 2025
Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Oct 2, 2025
Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-71.
Oct 2, 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 176.
Dec 19, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-165
Signed by President.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2088
    Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act


  • January 15, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 15, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.


  • March 5, 2025
    Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.


  • October 2, 2025
    Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-71.


  • October 2, 2025
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 176.


  • December 19, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-165
    Signed by President.

Native Americans

Related Bills

  • HR 119-165: Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act
Federal-Indian relationsIndian lands and resources rightsLand transfersSouth DakotaState and local taxation

Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act

USA119th CongressS-105| Senate 
| Updated: 10/2/2025
The act directs the Secretary of the Interior to complete all necessary actions within 365 days to place approximately 40 acres of the Wounded Knee massacre site in restricted fee status for the Oglala Sioux and Cheyenne River tribes. It defines restricted fee status as ownership retained by the tribes, subject to tribal civil and criminal jurisdiction, exempt from state or local taxation, and not subject to federal review before use. The Secretary must also assign any existing private or municipal utility rights and service agreements to the tribes. The land remains subject to federal Indian laws and any existing encumbrances recorded at enactment. The tribes may use the land only for purposes authorized by the Covenant Between the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe , which specifically prohibits gaming activities under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The act preserves the land’s status as part of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and ensures that no transfer can occur without congressional and tribal consent. By formalizing the restricted fee status, the bill seeks to protect the sacred site, affirm tribal sovereignty, and prevent future disputes over ownership or jurisdiction. The Secretary’s actions will solidify the tribes’ control and facilitate the management of the memorial site.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2088
Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act
Jan 15, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jan 15, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Mar 5, 2025
Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Oct 2, 2025
Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-71.
Oct 2, 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 176.
Dec 19, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-165
Signed by President.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2088
    Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act


  • January 15, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 15, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.


  • March 5, 2025
    Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.


  • October 2, 2025
    Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-71.


  • October 2, 2025
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 176.


  • December 19, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-165
    Signed by President.
Mike Rounds

Mike Rounds

Republican Senator

South Dakota

Cosponsors (1)
John Thune (Republican)

Indian Affairs Committee

Native Americans

Related Bills

  • HR 119-165: Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Federal-Indian relationsIndian lands and resources rightsLand transfersSouth DakotaState and local taxation