Poarch Band of Creek Indians Parity Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4147
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Native Americans
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-25: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-30T20:06:45Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 4147 – Poarch Band of Creek Indians Parity Act
Purpose
This legislation reaffirms that the Poarch Band of Creek Indians qualifies under the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, ensuring the tribe can continue to benefit from federal trust land processes without legal uncertainty.
Key Provisions
- The bill declares that the Poarch Band of Creek Indians is considered to have been "under Federal jurisdiction" as of June 18, 1934, for purposes of the Indian Reorganization Act (25 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.).
- All lands placed into federal trust for the tribe before the bill's enactment are confirmed as trust land.
- Actions by the Secretary of the Interior to take those lands into trust are ratified and confirmed.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The bill provides a legislative fix to address potential limitations from the "now under Federal jurisdiction" requirement in the 1934 Indian Reorganization Act, as interpreted in prior court decisions.
- It ratifies past trust land acquisitions that might otherwise face legal challenges, effectively expanding or clarifying the tribe's eligibility under the Act.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: The Department of the Interior's prior decisions on trust lands are protected from reversal, reducing administrative or litigation risks.
- Citizens and communities: The Poarch Band of Creek Indians gains greater certainty over land holdings, which may affect local land use, taxation, and jurisdiction in areas such as Alabama.
- No direct effects on international relations are outlined in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The Poarch Band of Creek Indians (primary beneficiary through confirmed land status).
- The Secretary of the Interior and related federal agencies.
- State and local governments in regions where the tribe's lands are located.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The bill uses congressional authority to override potential judicial restrictions on tribal eligibility under the Indian Reorganization Act.
- It prevents future challenges to existing trust lands, providing legal stability without creating new constitutional issues.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (15)
Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17], Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1], Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4], Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1], Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Strong, Dale W. [R-AL-5], Rep. Kelly, Trent [R-MS-1], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Cole, Tom [R-OK-4], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Simpson, Michael K. [R-ID-2], Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14], Rep. Dunn, Neal P. [R-FL-2]
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-25: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-06-25: Introduced in House
- 2025-06-25: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Poarch Band of Creek Indians Parity Act — issued 2025-06-25 — PDF (2 pages)