This bill grants federal recognition to the Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia, thereby making the Tribe and its members eligible for all federal services and benefits provided to federally recognized Indian Tribes. The legislation specifies that all laws and regulations generally applicable to Indian Tribes will apply to the Nottoway Tribe. For the purpose of delivering federal services, the Tribe's designated service area will encompass seven counties in Virginia: Nottoway, Southampton, Sussex, Surry, Isle of Wight, Franklin, and Dinwiddie. The Act outlines a process for establishing a reservation for the Tribe, allowing the Secretary of the Interior to take land into trust for the Tribe's benefit. Specifically, any land held in fee by the Tribe before January 1, 2022, located within Southampton, Sussex, Surry, Isle of Wight, Nottoway, and Dinwiddie counties, must be taken into trust upon the Tribe's request. The Secretary may also take other lands into trust within these same counties, with a final determination required within three years of a request. Lands taken into trust under the mandatory provision will be considered part of the Tribe's reservation upon request. However, the bill includes significant limitations on the newly recognized Tribe. It explicitly prohibits the Tribe from conducting any gaming activities , whether under claimed inherent authority or any federal law, including the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Furthermore, the legislation clarifies that it does not expand, reduce, or otherwise affect the Tribe's existing hunting, fishing, trapping, gathering, or water rights. The application of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 also remains unaffected by this Act.
Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe of Virginia Federal Recognition Act
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Native Americans
Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia Federal Recognition Act
USA119th CongressHR-5327| House
| Updated: 9/11/2025
This bill grants federal recognition to the Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia, thereby making the Tribe and its members eligible for all federal services and benefits provided to federally recognized Indian Tribes. The legislation specifies that all laws and regulations generally applicable to Indian Tribes will apply to the Nottoway Tribe. For the purpose of delivering federal services, the Tribe's designated service area will encompass seven counties in Virginia: Nottoway, Southampton, Sussex, Surry, Isle of Wight, Franklin, and Dinwiddie. The Act outlines a process for establishing a reservation for the Tribe, allowing the Secretary of the Interior to take land into trust for the Tribe's benefit. Specifically, any land held in fee by the Tribe before January 1, 2022, located within Southampton, Sussex, Surry, Isle of Wight, Nottoway, and Dinwiddie counties, must be taken into trust upon the Tribe's request. The Secretary may also take other lands into trust within these same counties, with a final determination required within three years of a request. Lands taken into trust under the mandatory provision will be considered part of the Tribe's reservation upon request. However, the bill includes significant limitations on the newly recognized Tribe. It explicitly prohibits the Tribe from conducting any gaming activities , whether under claimed inherent authority or any federal law, including the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Furthermore, the legislation clarifies that it does not expand, reduce, or otherwise affect the Tribe's existing hunting, fishing, trapping, gathering, or water rights. The application of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 also remains unaffected by this Act.