Bill · H.R. 411· House(119-HR-411)
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Land Claim Settlement Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 1/15/2025
- Last activity
- 6/11/2025 — Subcommittee Hearings Held
- Sponsored by
- Jack Bergman
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Land Claim Settlement Act of 2025. It addresses land taken by the United States inside the L'Anse Indian Reservation without just compensation. The Department of the Interior reviewed the tribe's claims and determined they have merit. To settle the matter, the bill authorizes a payment of $33,900,000 to the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. In exchange, all claims by the community to these specific lands are wiped out, and current landowners will get clear titles.
Yes· 3 of 7
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+8
The bill provides $33.9 million in compensation to the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community to address historical land wrongs.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+5
The funds can be used for governmental services that support the Community's members.
Is this likely to create jobs?+5
The bill allows the Community to use funds for economic development which can support job creation.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Financial Compensation for the Tribe: Section 5(a) requires the Secretary to transfer $33,900,000 to the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community as soon as possible after funds are made available. This provides the community with long-overdue compensation for past land takings.
-
Flexible Use of Settlement Funds: Section 5(b)(1) allows the community to use the funds for lawful purposes like governmental services, economic development, natural resources protection, and land acquisition. This gives the local leadership the flexibility to address their own community needs.
-
Clear Title for Current Landowners: Section 3(3) and Section 6(b) confirm the ownership of current landowners who bought the land in good faith, effectively clearing up any title issues without messy, costly court battles.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Extinguishment of Tribe Claims: Section 6(a) wipes out all claims of the community to the Reservation Swamp Lands and Reservation Canal Lands. This means the community permanently gives up any rights to reclaim ownership of those specific tracts of land.
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+8Good For Low Income Households+5Good For Rural Residents+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+5Increases Job Creation+5
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+5
- 6/11/2025
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 6/4/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs.
- 1/15/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 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.