To provide for the equitable settlement of certain Indian land disputes regarding land in Illinois, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2827
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Native Americans
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-04: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-05T09:07:08Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation, H.R. 2827, aims to equitably resolve specific land disputes involving the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and land in Illinois by granting limited court jurisdiction for a historical treaty claim while extinguishing all other related claims, providing finality to land ownership issues.
Key Provisions
- Jurisdiction for Specific Claim: The United States Court of Federal Claims is granted authority to hear and decide a land claim by the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma based on the Treaty of Grouseland (signed August 21, 1805). This jurisdiction ignores the statute of limitations (a legal time limit for filing claims) and any defenses based on delays.
- Time Limit on Jurisdiction: The court's authority expires one year after the bill's enactment unless the tribe files the claim within that period.
- Extinguishment of Other Claims: All other past, present, or future land claims to Illinois by the Miami Tribe, its members, descendants, or predecessors are permanently ended, except for any claim filed under the specific jurisdiction provision.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Overrides the standard statute of limitations under 28 U.S.C. § 2501, which normally bars claims not filed within six years, allowing revival of a 219-year-old treaty-based claim.
- Introduces a narrow exception to general rules on aboriginal or treaty land titles, limiting revival to one specific claim while broadly extinguishing others, which contrasts with prior laws that might have dismissed such old claims outright.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Justice may need to defend against the tribe's claim in the Court of Federal Claims, potentially leading to financial settlements or judgments affecting federal budgets.
- On Citizens: Provides certainty for current landowners in Illinois by ending most tribal claims, reducing risks of title disputes, but could indirectly affect property values or taxes if a settlement involves compensation from public funds.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it reinforces U.S. commitments to historical treaties with Native American tribes, potentially influencing diplomatic relations with indigenous groups.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Miami Tribe of Oklahoma: Gains a one-year window to pursue a specific land claim, potentially leading to compensation or recognition, but loses rights to all other Illinois land claims.
- U.S. Government: Bears responsibility for litigation and any resulting obligations under the treaty.
- Illinois Residents and Landowners: Benefit from the extinguishment of claims, gaining legal finality for property ownership.
- State of Illinois: May see indirect effects on state land management or historical preservation efforts tied to Native American history.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes a precedent for selectively waiving time bars on ancient treaty claims, balancing tribal rights with the need for legal closure; the extinguishment clause acts like a "settlement" by quieting title (legally confirming ownership) without requiring individual lawsuits.
- Constitutional: Engages treaty obligations under Article VI of the U.S. Constitution, which makes treaties the "supreme law of the land," while respecting property rights under the Fifth Amendment by providing a structured resolution process.
- Political: Sponsored bipartisanship (Republican and Democratic representatives) suggests a compromise approach to Native American land issues, potentially easing tensions over historical injustices without broad reopenings of claims.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4], Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-04: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2026-02-25: Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs.
- 2025-04-10: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-04-10: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-10: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To provide for the equitable settlement of certain Indian land disputes regarding land in Illinois, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-04-10 — PDF (2 pages)