Lumbee Fairness Act

This bill, called the Lumbee Fairness Act, would give the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina full federal recognition. That means tribal members could receive the same federal services and benefits that other federally recognized tribes get. It also says federal Indian laws and rules would apply to the tribe and its members.

The Departments of the Interior and Health and Human Services must work with the tribe to figure out what services are needed and report those needs to Congress after the tribe’s membership roll is verified. Members living in Robeson, Cumberland, Hoke, and Scotland counties in North Carolina would be treated as living “on or near” a reservation for service delivery. The Interior Department may take land into trust for the tribe, and trust applications in Robeson County would be treated like on‑reservation requests. North Carolina would handle criminal and civil cases on tribal lands unless the state and tribe agree to transfer some of that authority to the U.S. government after a two‑year waiting period. Other Native groups in Robeson and nearby counties who are not enrolled in the Lumbee Tribe could still seek recognition through the regular federal process.

Key points

• Who is affected: Members of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, especially those in Robeson, Cumberland, Hoke, and Scotland counties.
• What changes: Federal recognition; eligibility for federal tribal services; Interior can take land into trust; North Carolina keeps legal jurisdiction on tribal lands unless changed by agreement; non‑enrolled Native groups nearby can still apply for recognition.
• When: The Interior Secretary must finish verifying the tribe’s membership roll within two years after the tribe submits a digitized roll with proof; any state‑to‑federal jurisdiction transfer takes effect two years after an agreement’s start date.