United States 116th Congress Status: Passed House 1 R cosponsors

HR 375 — To amend the Act of June 18, 1934, to reaffirm the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to take land into trust for Indian Tribes, and for other purposes.

Last action — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 116th Congress. It reached “Passed House” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

This bill applies the Indian Reorganization Act to all federally recognized Indian tribes, regardless of when a tribe became recognized. The amendments made by this bill are retroactively effective as if included in the Indian Reorganization Act. This effectively overrules the Supreme Court's decision in Carcieri v. Salazar, which held that the Department of the Interior could not take land into trust for a specified tribe because that tribe had not been under federal jurisdiction when the Indian Reorganization Act was enacted.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

8 added · 3 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendment adds a reference to the Senate of the United States for the bill, indicating its progression in the legislative process. It also emphasizes the date of enactment of the Indian Reorganization Act, which may clarify the relevant legal framework for the bill. This change matters as it helps track the bill's movement through Congress and specifies the historical context of the Indian Reorganization Act within the bill.

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375 Engrossed in House (EH)] <DOC> 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H.
375 Referred in Senate (RFS)] <DOC> 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H.
375 _______________________________________________________________________ AN ACT To amend the Act of June 18, 1934, to reaffirm the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to take land into trust for Indian Tribes, and for other purposes.
375 _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 16, 2019 Received;
read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs _______________________________________________________________________ AN ACT To amend the Act of June 18, 1934, to reaffirm the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to take land into trust for Indian Tribes, and for other purposes.
Clerk.
CHERYL L.
116th CONGRESS 1st Session H.
JOHNSON, Clerk.
R.
375 _______________________________________________________________________ AN ACT To amend the Act of June 18, 1934, to reaffirm the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to take land into trust for Indian Tribes, and for other purposes.
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Sections of law this bill changes

1 section in 1 law

From the bill's own amending language, matched to the official United States Code (current through Public Law 119-121).

Protection of indians and conservation of resources · 25 U.S.C. ch. 45 1 section
  • § 5129 Definitions Amends

    25 U.S.C. § 5129

    The law today

    The term “Indian” as used in this Act shall include all persons of Indian descent who are members of any recognized Indian tribe now under Federal jurisdiction, and all persons who are descendants of such members who were, on June 1, 1934, residing within the present boundaries of any Indian reservation, and shall further include all other persons of one-half or more Indian blood. For the purposes of this Act, Eskimos and other aboriginal peoples of Alaska shall be considered Indians. The term “tribe” wherever used in this Act shall be construed to refer to any Indian tribe, organized band, pueblo, or the Indians residing on one reservation. The words “adult Indians” wherever used in this Act shall be construed to refer to Indians who have attained the age of twenty-one years.

    7 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗

How this bill changes current law

5 changes Share ↗

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends the definition of 'Indian' and 'tribe' in the Indian Reorganization Act to reflect current terminology and authority.

  • 25 U.S.C. 5129

    The term “Indian” as used in this Act shall include all persons of Indian descent who are members of any recognized Indian tribe now under Federal jurisdiction, → Effective beginning on June 18, 1934, the term 'Indian' means any federally recognized Indian Tribe

    This change updates the phrasing to clarify the definition of 'Indian' to include federally recognized tribes.

  • 25 U.S.C. 5129

    and shall further include all other persons of one-half or more Indian blood.

    The bill removes the stipulation regarding individuals of one-half or more Indian blood from the definition.

  • 25 U.S.C. 5129

    The words “adult Indians” wherever used in this Act shall be construed to refer to Indians who have attained the age of twenty-one years.

    The bill eliminates the definition of 'adult Indians', which may impact age-related stipulations in the Act.

  • 25 U.S.C. 5129

    For the purposes of this Act, Eskimos and other aboriginal peoples of Alaska shall be considered Indians.

    The reference to Eskimos and other aboriginal peoples of Alaska as Indians is removed.

  • 25 U.S.C. 5129

    The term “tribe” wherever used in this Act shall be construed to refer to any Indian tribe, organized band, pueblo, or the Indians residing on one reservation. → In said sections, the term 'Indian tribe' means any Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges to exist as an Indian tribe.

    This change broadens the definition of 'tribe' to include various forms of organization that the Secretary acknowledges.

Action History

  1. Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

  2. Mr. Grijalva moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

  3. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3813-3816)

  4. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 375.

  5. At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

  6. Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3824-3825)

  7. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 323 - 96 (Roll no. 208).(text: CR H3813)

  8. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 323 - 96 (Roll no. 208). (text: CR H3813)

  9. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  10. Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States Discharged.

  11. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  12. Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 29 - 7.

  13. Subcommittee Hearings Held.

  14. Referred to the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States.

  15. Introduced in House

  16. Introduced in House

  17. Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 546 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (546)

546 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Frequently asked questions

What does HR 375 do?
This bill applies the Indian Reorganization Act to all federally recognized Indian tribes, regardless of when a tribe became recognized. The amendments made by this bill are retroactively effective as if included in the Indian Reorganization Act. This effectively overrules the Supreme Court's decision in Carcieri v. Salazar, which held that the Department of the Interior could not take land into trust for a specified tribe because that tribe had not been under federal jurisdiction when the Indian Reorganization Act was enacted.
Who sponsors HR 375?
HR 375 is sponsored by Cole, Tom (Republican).
What is the current status of HR 375?
This bill died with 116th Congress. It reached “Passed House” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HR 375?
Track HR 375 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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