Quapaw Tribal Settlement Act of 2025
Description
This bill would establish and fund a trust account to settle historical claims between the federal government and the Quapaw Nation.
Summary
What it does
This bill would establish and fund the Quapaw Bear Settlement Trust Account to resolve specific legal claims between the federal government and the Quapaw Nation. The Bureau of Trust Funds Administration would be required to manage the account and distribute payments to the tribe and its individual members based on a 2020 recommendation from a U.S. Court of Federal Claims review panel. The legislation further outlines the specific procedures for how these settlement funds must be distributed from the trust account.
Who is affected
This bill primarily affects the Quapaw Nation and its individual tribal members who are eligible for settlement payments. It also impacts the Department of the Interior, specifically the Bureau of Trust Funds Administration, which is tasked with administering the Quapaw Bear Settlement Trust Account. Additionally, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims is involved through the implementation of its review panel's January 2020 distribution recommendations.
Key provisions
- Establishment of the Quapaw Bear Settlement Trust Account. The bill creates a specific trust account to facilitate the settlement of legal claims between the federal government and the Quapaw Nation.
- Administration of settlement funds. The Department of the Interior's Bureau of Trust Funds Administration is tasked with managing all funds appropriated to the settlement account.
- Distribution of payments to the tribe and members. The Department of the Interior must distribute funds to the Quapaw Nation and individual tribal members based on the January 2020 recommendations from the U.S. Court of Federal Claims review panel.
Fiscal impact
Not applicable: No CBO cost estimate available
Effective dates
Not applicable: Official Summary does not address effective dates
Relationship to existing law
The bill implements a January 2020 recommendation from a U.S. Court of Federal Claims review panel to resolve legal claims between the federal government and the Quapaw Nation. It also assigns the Bureau of Trust Funds Administration within the Department of the Interior to manage the newly created settlement account.
Stated purpose
The bill aims to resolve specific legal claims between the federal government and the Quapaw Nation by establishing and funding the Quapaw Bear Settlement Trust Account. It provides a framework for the Department of the Interior to distribute settlement funds to the tribe and its individual members based on recommendations from the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.