S. 1931 — Introduced in Senate

II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1931 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES August 4, 2015Mr. Moran (for himself and Mr. Tester) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs A BILL To reaffirm that certain land has been taken into trust for the benefit of certain Indian tribes. 1. Ratification of existing trust land (a) In general Any land taken into trust by the United States prior to the date of enactment of this Act for an Indian tribe that was federally recognized on the date the land was taken into trust is reaffirmed as trust land, and any action of the Secretary of the Interior in acquiring and taking into trust land under the Act of June 18, 1934 (commonly known as the Indian Reorganization Act) (25 U.S.C. 461 et seq.), is ratified and confirmed as fully and to all intents and purposes as if the action had, by prior Act of Congress, been specifically authorized and directed. (b) Indian country Any land taken into trust that has been ratified and confirmed by this Act shall remain Indian country in accordance with section 1151 of title 18, United States Code. (c) Additional land Nothing in this Act alters or diminishes the right of any federally recognized Indian tribe or the authority of the Secretary of the Interior with respect to taking additional land into trust for the benefit of the Indian tribe. (d) Application This Act shall apply to all claims, including claims challenging the validity of title or the effectiveness of any action of the Secretary of the Interior acquiring and taking into trust land, that are— (1) pending on the date of enactment of this Act; or (2) filed on or after that date.