Bill · H.R. 226· House(119-HR-226)
Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act
- Introduced
- 1/7/2025
- Last activity
- 9/23/2026 — Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.
- Sponsored by
- Charles Fleischmann
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- Passed House
- In Senate committee
What this bill would do
This bill takes certain Federal lands and permanent easements in Monroe County, Tennessee, on the shores of Tellico Reservoir, and places them into trust for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The land includes properties such as the Sequoyah Museum, the Chota and Tanasi memorials, and a support property. These trust lands will be used mainly to memorialize and interpret Cherokee history, culture, and for recreational activities. The legislation outlines specific conditions regarding land use, flooding, and water management by the Tennessee Valley Authority. It also explicitly bans any class II or class III gaming on these trust lands.
Yes
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+8
The bill transfers specific Federal lands into trust to facilitate the preservation of Cherokee history, culture, and memorialization.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Preservation of Culture and History: Under Section 4, the trust lands will be used principally for memorializing and interpreting the history and culture of Indians. This includes managing the Sequoyah birthplace memorial and museum, memorials to Chota and Tanasi as former capitals of the Cherokees, and interpreting the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. This benefits the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the public by protecting and educating people on important cultural history.
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Environmental Responsibility: Under Section 5(j), the Tennessee Valley Authority must retain sole and exclusive Federal responsibility and liability to fund and implement any required environmental remediation for the land taken into trust. Furthermore, the Tennessee Valley Authority must carry out assessments for hazardous substances prior to the acquisition. This protects the public and the tribe by ensuring previous environmental issues are handled by the responsible Federal agency.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Flooding Risks and Limitations: Under Section 5(a) and Section 5(i), the Tennessee Valley Authority is permitted to temporarily and intermittently flood the trust lands and road access below the 824-foot contour elevation. Additionally, the United States is explicitly not liable for any loss or damage resulting from this flooding, wave action, or water level fluctuations. This could negatively impact the safety and usability of the land for visitors and the tribe during high water events.
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Gaming Prohibition: Under Section 7, no class II or class III gaming, as defined in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, may be conducted on the lands subject to the Act. This restriction prevents the tribe from utilizing the land for certain types of economic development that other trust lands might pursue.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Native Americans+8
- 9/23/2026
- Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.
- 2/5/2025
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
- 2/4/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H447-448)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H447-448)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 226.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H447-449)
- Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 1/7/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Introduced in House