Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Land Claim Settlement Act of 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 175.
Introduced:Feb 19, 2025
Primary Sponsor
Gary C. Peters
Senator
Democratic
MI
Cosponsors
1
Quick Stats
Policy Area
Native Americans
Summary
This bill directs the Department of the Interior to transfer settlement funds to the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community in Baraga County, Michigan, to settle land claims and clear title to disputed lands. The tribe may use the funds for any lawful purpose except acquiring land for gaming purposes.
Latest Action
Held at the desk.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill directs the Department of the Interior to transfer settlement funds to the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community in Baraga County, Michigan, to settle land claims and clear title to disputed lands. The tribe may use the funds for any lawful purpose except acquiring land for gaming purposes.
Last updated: 12/30/2025
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Land Claim Settlement Act of 2025</strong></p><p>This bill directs the Department of the Interior to transfer funds to the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) in Baraga County, Michigan, in order to settle the KBIC's land claims and clear title to those lands.</p><p>The KBIC may use these funds for any lawful purpose except to acquire land for gaming.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Settles land claims of Keweenaw Bay Indian Community
Interior transfers funds to KBIC in Michigan
Clears title to disputed tribal lands
Funds can be used for any lawful purpose
Prohibits using funds for gaming land acquisition
Resolves historical land disputes in Upper Peninsula Michigan
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
This bill settles long-standing land claims by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, providing financial compensation and clearing title to lands in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The gaming restriction ensures settlement funds support general community purposes rather than casino development. The settlement provides closure on historical disputes while giving the tribe resources for economic development, housing, education, or other community priorities.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Native Americans
Related Subjects
Federal-Indian relations
Indian claims
Indian lands and resources rights
Land transfers
Michigan
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
642, 119th Congress (2025). "Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Land Claim Settlement Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-642
