Jack Bergman (R-MI)
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Land Claim Settlement Act of 2025
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Subcommittee Hearings Held
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Land Claim Settlement Act of 2025. It addresses land taken by the United States inside the L'Anse Indian Reservation without just compensation. The Department of the Interior reviewed the tribe's claims and determined they have merit. To settle the matter, the bill authorizes a payment of $33,900,000 to the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. In exchange, all claims by the community to these specific lands are wiped out, and current landowners will get clear titles.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +8
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill provides $33.9 million in compensation to the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community to address historical land wrongs.
- Scored +5
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The funds can be used for governmental services that support the Community's members.
- Scored +5
Is this likely to create jobs?
The bill allows the Community to use funds for economic development which can support job creation.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Financial Compensation for the Tribe: Section 5(a) requires the Secretary to transfer $33,900,000 to the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community as soon as possible after funds are made available. This provides the community with long-overdue compensation for past land takings.
-
Flexible Use of Settlement Funds: Section 5(b)(1) allows the community to use the funds for lawful purposes like governmental services, economic development, natural resources protection, and land acquisition. This gives the local leadership the flexibility to address their own community needs.
-
Clear Title for Current Landowners: Section 3(3) and Section 6(b) confirm the ownership of current landowners who bought the land in good faith, effectively clearing up any title issues without messy, costly court battles.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Extinguishment of Tribe Claims: Section 6(a) wipes out all claims of the community to the Reservation Swamp Lands and Reservation Canal Lands. This means the community permanently gives up any rights to reclaim ownership of those specific tracts of land.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill provides $33.9 million in compensation to the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community to address historical land wrongs. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The funds can be used for governmental services that support the Community's members. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The settlement provides economic stability and resources to the Baraga County region.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — The $33.9 million injection into the Community is intended to support its economic development. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill allows the Community to use funds for economic development which can support job creation.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill explicitly allows the Community to use funds for natural resources protection.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The financial settlement provides resources that can be used for governmental services and economic development for the Community.
- 6/11/2025
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 6/4/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs.
- 1/15/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.