Lumbee Fairness Act

The Lumbee Fairness Act would extend federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, a significant step that would make tribal members eligible for services and benefits currently available only to members of federally recognized tribes. The bill specifies that members living in Robeson, Cumberland, Hoke, and Scotland Counties in North Carolina would be included in the service delivery area. The Departments of Interior and Health and Human Services would be required to work with the tribe to determine what services are needed and how to provide them.

The bill would also allow the Department of Interior to take land into trust for the tribe's benefit, which could provide a land base for tribal operations and governance. Additionally, the legislation would establish that North Carolina retains criminal and civil jurisdiction over lands owned by or held in trust for the Lumbee Tribe, unless the tribe and state agree to transfer jurisdiction to the federal government. Currently at the committee stage, this bill has not yet been voted on by the full House.