This bill extends full federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, making its approximately 55,000 members eligible for federal services and benefits. Interior may take land into trust for the tribe. North Carolina retains criminal and civil jurisdiction over tribal lands unless transferred to the federal government.
Latest Action
Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill extends full federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, making its approximately 55,000 members eligible for federal services and benefits. Interior may take land into trust for the tribe. North Carolina retains criminal and civil jurisdiction over tribal lands unless transferred to the federal government.
Last updated: 1/5/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><b>Lumbee Fairness Act</b></p> <p>This bill extends federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and makes its members eligible for the services and benefits provided to members of federally recognized tribes. </p> <p>Members of the tribe residing in Robeson, Cumberland, Hoke, and Scotland Counties in North Carolina are deemed to be within the delivery area for such services.</p> <p>The Department of the Interior and the Department of Health and Human Services must develop, in consultation with the tribe, a determination of needs to provide the services for which members of the tribe are eligible.</p> <p>Interior may take land into trust for the benefit of the tribe.</p> <p>Finally, North Carolina must exercise jurisdiction over all criminal offenses committed, and all civil actions that arise, on North Carolina lands owned by, or held in trust for, the Lumbee Tribe or any dependent Indian community of the tribe unless jurisdiction is transferred to the United States pursuant to an agreement between the tribe and the state.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Extends federal recognition to Lumbee Tribe
Makes members eligible for federal Indian services
Authorizes land to be taken into trust
Covers members in four North Carolina counties
State retains jurisdiction over tribal lands
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
The Lumbee Tribe would become fully federally recognized after decades of seeking this status. Members would access Indian Health Service, education benefits, and other federal programs. The tribe could pursue economic development with federal trust land status.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Native Americans
Related Subjects
Federal-Indian relations
Indian lands and resources rights
North Carolina
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
107, 119th Congress (2025). "Lumbee Fairness Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-107
