Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia Federal Recognition Act

This bill would give federal recognition to the Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia. With recognition, the Tribe and its members could receive the same federal services and benefits as other federally recognized Tribes, even without a reservation. For delivering these services, the bill sets the service area as King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford Counties in Virginia.

It accepts the Tribe’s current membership list and rules, and keeps the current leaders or any future leaders chosen under those rules. The U.S. Interior Department could hold land for the Tribe within those three counties (placing it “into trust”), count it as reservation land if the Tribe asks, and must decide within three years after a request. The bill also bans the Tribe from running casinos or other gaming under federal law or claimed inherent authority. It does not change any hunting, fishing, trapping, gathering, or water rights. And it says the government cannot use eminent domain to get land for the Tribe .

Key points

• Who is affected: Patawomeck Tribal members; federal agencies serving Tribal communities; residents of King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford Counties (service delivery area).
• What changes: Federal recognition and access to federal Tribal services; option for the U.S. to hold Tribal land in trust within the three counties; no gaming; no change to hunting/fishing/gathering/water rights; no eminent domain to acquire land for the Tribe .
• When: Services begin on the date the bill becomes law; land-in-trust decisions must be made within three years of a request.