Lumbee Fairness Act

Federal Recognition and Benefits: The bill extends federal recognition to the Tribe, which makes the Tribe and its members eligible for all services and benefits provided by the Federal Government to recognized Indian tribes (Section 4(a) and Section 5(a)).

Service Accessibility: For the purpose of delivering federal services and benefits, members residing in Robeson, Cumberland, Hoke, and Scotland counties in North Carolina will be deemed to be residing on or near an Indian reservation (Section 5(b)).

Land Acquisition: The Secretary is authorized to take land into trust for the benefit of the Tribe (Section 6(a)).

Land Acquisition Processing: Applications to take land into trust located within Robeson County will be treated as an "on reservation" trust acquisition (Section 6(b)).

Right to Petition: Any group of Indians in Robeson and adjoining counties, North Carolina, whose members are not enrolled in the Tribe, may petition for acknowledgment of tribal existence (Section 4(c)).

State Jurisdiction: The State of North Carolina shall exercise jurisdiction over all criminal offenses committed and all civil actions that arise with respect to land located within the State of North Carolina that is owned by, or held in trust by, the United States for the benefit of the Tribe or its dependent Indian community (Section 7(a)).

Jurisdiction Transfer Delay: A transfer of jurisdiction from the State of North Carolina to the United States, based on an agreement between the Tribe and the State, cannot take effect until 2 years after the effective date of that agreement (Section 7(b)(2)).