Bill · H.R. 3255· House(119-HR-3255)
Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians Restoration Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 5/7/2025
- Last activity
- 5/7/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Hillary Scholten
- Cosponsors
- - 4 - 6
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the ``Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians Restoration Act of 2025'', aims to reaffirm and clarify the Federal relationships of the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians of Michigan as a federally recognized Indian tribe. It establishes that the Tribe and its members are eligible for all services and benefits provided by the United States to Indian tribes. The Act provides for the acquisition of land into trust for the benefit of the Tribe in specific Michigan counties. It also requires the Tribe to submit a membership roll to the Secretary within 18 months. Furthermore, it ensures that all Federal laws, including the Indian Reorganization Act, apply to the Tribe.
Yes· 3 of 9
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+10
The bill restores federal recognition and land rights specifically for the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians.
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?+8
The bill restores federal recognition to a Native American tribe, enabling access to essential social services and rights.
Would people over 65 be better off under this?+7
The bill explicitly mentions the ability to address needs for elder care through federal recognition.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Access to Federal Services and Benefits: The Tribe and its members will be eligible for all services and benefits provided by the United States to Indian tribes, regardless of whether they live on a reservation (Section 5(a)). This addresses the finding that the Tribe has been unable to meet needs for social services, education, housing, and elder care due to a lack of recognition (Section 2(13)).
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Land Acquisition and Trust Title: The Secretary is directed to acquire trust title to land within Muskegon, Newaygo, or Oceana Counties for the benefit of the Tribe (Section 8(a)(1)). Additionally, the Secretary may take into trust land held in fee by the Tribe located within Kent and Ottawa Counties (Section 8(b)(2)).
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Protection of Existing Rights: The Act ensures that nothing within it diminishes any right or privilege of the Tribe or its members that existed before the Act was passed (Section 6(a)).
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Legal Claim Protection: The Act protects the Tribe's ability to enforce legal or equitable claims that were wrongfully denied or taken from them prior to the enactment of this Act (Section 6(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Land Title Restrictions: The Secretary's ability to accept land into trust is subject to the condition that there are no adverse legal claims on the property, such as outstanding liens, mortgages, or taxes (Section 8(a)(2)(B)).
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+10Good For Seniors+7Good For Low Income Households+6
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+8Improves Affordable Housing+7Improves Poverty Reduction+6
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Public Land Management+6Improves Rural Development+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3
- 6/30/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/9/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 6/4/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/2/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/21/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/14/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/7/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Jack BergmanRepublican · Michigan
Tom BarrettRepublican · Michigan
Debbie DingellDemocrat · Michigan
John JamesRepublican · Michigan
Lisa McClainRepublican · Michigan
John MoolenaarRepublican · Michigan
Kristen McDonald RivetDemocrat · Michigan
Haley StevensDemocrat · Michigan
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Tim WalbergRepublican · Michigan