Sponsors (3)
The bill delivers a substantial, administratively‑managed settlement to Quapaw Nation claimants and reduces litigation uncertainty, at the cost of increased federal outlays and some centralization and procedural constraints that could limit claimant control or reduce net payouts.
Quapaw Nation members and the listed individual claimants will receive a $137.5 million settlement payout distributed under the approved plan.
Quapaw claimants will get a clear, time‑bounded administrative process with professional support (Bureau of Trust Funds Administration and optional FMCS assistance) that reduces prolonged litigation and uncertainty.
Claimants have access to confidential, non‑binding mediation to resolve disputes, which can lower legal costs and help preserve intra-community relationships.
All U.S. taxpayers effectively fund the $137.5 million payment from Treasury funds not otherwise appropriated, increasing federal outlays.
Centralizing final distribution authority in the Secretary of the Interior could limit claimants' control over allocations if mediation fails, producing outcomes some claimants oppose.
Shared mediation fees and administrative expenses (FMCS, BTFA administration) may reduce the net amounts individual claimants actually receive.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a trust account and directs a $137.5M Treasury transfer to resolve specified Quapaw-related claims, with distributions per a 2020 panel report and set mediation/allocation timelines.
Introduced February 19, 2025 by Markwayne Mullin · Last progress February 19, 2025
Creates a Quapaw Bear Settlement Trust Account in the Interior Department and directs the Treasury to transfer $137,500,000 into that account for distribution to specified claimants named in the underlying litigation. The Department of the Interior must administer the account and distribute funds in accordance with a January 9, 2020 Review Panel Report. Claimants must attempt confidential, non‑binding mediation within 45 days of enactment (with costs shared). If mediation fails, claimants may petition the Secretary of the Interior for allocation; the bill prescribes strict scheduling, hearing, briefing, decision, and distribution timelines for Secretarial allocation and permits use of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to assist.