This bill would give the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina full federal recognition. That means tribal members could receive federal services and benefits offered to recognized tribes, and the federal government would work with the tribe to identify its needs . The Department of the Interior could also take land into trust for the tribe, with a special process for land in Robeson County. North Carolina would handle most criminal and civil cases on Lumbee lands unless the state and tribe agree to shift some of that authority to the federal government, which would take effect two years after such an agreement starts; child welfare rules under federal law are not changed by this bill .

Members living in Robeson, Cumberland, Hoke, and Scotland Counties would be treated as living “on or near” a reservation for service delivery. Interior and Health and Human Services must consult with the tribe to assess needs after the tribe’s membership roll is verified, which must be finished within two years after the tribe submits a digitized roll with documents. Other Native groups in Robeson and nearby counties, whose members are not on the Lumbee roll, may still apply for their own federal recognition through the regular process .

Key points

• Who is affected: Lumbee Tribe members, especially those in Robeson, Cumberland, Hoke, and Scotland Counties; North Carolina state and local agencies.
• What changes: Federal recognition; access to federal tribal services; Interior can take land into trust; North Carolina keeps most legal jurisdiction on Lumbee lands unless changed by agreement; needs assessment and roll verification steps are required .
• When: Recognition takes effect when the bill becomes law; roll verification must be completed within two years after the tribe submits its digitized roll; any jurisdiction transfer would begin two years after an agreement takes effect.