H.R. 1943 — Introduced in House

I 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1943 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 16, 2021Mr. Rice of South Carolina (for himself and Ms. Mace) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources A BILL To extend Federal recognition to the Pee Dee Indian Tribe of McColl, South Carolina. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Pee Dee Indian Acknowledgement Act. 2. Federal recognition (a) Federal recognition Federal recognition is extended to the Pee Dee Indian Tribe of McColl, South Carolina. (b) Applicability of laws All laws (including regulations) of the United States of general applicability to Indians or Nations, Indian Tribes, or bands of Indians (including the Act of June 18, 1934 (25 U.S.C. 461 et seq.)) shall be applicable to the Pee Dee Indian Tribe of McColl, South Carolina, and members of that Tribe. 3. Federal services and benefits (a) In general Beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Tribe and each member shall be eligible for all services and benefits provided by the United States to Indians and federally recognized Indian tribes, without regard to— (1) the existence of a reservation for the Tribe; or (2) the location of the residence of any member on or near an Indian reservation. (b) Service area For purposes of the delivery of services and benefits to members, the service area of the Tribe shall be considered to be the area comprised of Marlboro County in the State of South Carolina. 4. Membership roll (a) In general As a condition of receiving recognition, services, and benefits pursuant to this Act, the Tribe shall submit to the Secretary, by not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, a membership roll consisting of the name of each individual enrolled as a member of the Tribe. (b) Determination of membership The qualifications for inclusion on the membership roll of the Tribe shall be determined in accordance with sections 1 through 5 of article III of the proposed constitution of the Tribe dated December 2020 (including amendments to the constitution). (c) Maintenance of roll The Tribe shall maintain the membership roll under this section. 5. Definitions For the purposes of this Act: (1) Member The term member means an individual duly enrolled in the roll of the Tribe described in section 4. (2) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior. (3) Tribe The term Tribe means the Pee Dee Indian Tribe of McColl, South Carolina.