H.R. 6707 — Introduced in House

I 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6707 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 11, 2022Mr. Golden (for himself and Ms. Pingree) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources A BILL To amend the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980 to advance equality for Wabanaki nations, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Advancing Equality for Wabanaki Nations Act. 2. Application of certain laws (a) Application of State Laws The Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980 (Public Law 96–420) is amended— (1) in section 3— (A) in subsection (m), by striking and at the end; (B) in subsection (n), by striking the period and inserting ; and; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (o) Mi’kmaq Nation means the sole successor to the Micmac Nation as constituted in aboriginal times in what is now the State of Maine, and all its predecessors and successors in interest, and which is represented, as of the date of enactment of this subsection, as to lands within the United States, by the Mi’kmaq Council. ; and (2) in section 6— (A) in subsection (a), by striking provided in section 8(e) and section 5(d)(4) and inserting otherwise provided in this Act; and (B) in subsection (h)— (i) by striking Except as otherwise provided in this Act, the and inserting The; (ii) in the first sentence, by inserting or enacted for the benefit of before Indians, Indian nations; (iii) by inserting that is in effect as of the date of the enactment of the Advancing Equality for Wabanaki Nations Act, (2) after United States (1); (iv) by striking also (2) and inserting also (3); and (v) by inserting , unless Federal law or the State laws of Maine provide for the application of such Federal law or regulation after State and before the period at the end. (b) Implementation of the Indian Child Welfare Act Section 8 of the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980 (Public Law 96–420) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) by striking or after Passamaquoddy Tribe and inserting a comma; (B) by inserting , the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, or the Mi’kmaq Nation after Penobscot Nation; and (C) in the second sentence, by striking respective tribe or nation each place it appears and inserting respective tribe, nation, or band; (2) in subsection (b)— (A) by striking or after Passamaquoddy Tribe and inserting a comma; and (B) by inserting , the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, or the Mi’kmaq Nation after Penobscot Nation; (3) by striking subsection (e); (4) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (e); and (5) in subsection (e), as so redesignated— (A) by striking or after Passamaquoddy Tribe and inserting a comma; (B) by inserting , the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, or the Mi’kmaq Nation after Penobscot Nation; and (C) by striking or nation and inserting , nation, or band. (c) Construction Section 16 of the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980 (Public Law 96–420) is amended— (1) by striking (a) at the beginning; and (2) by striking subsection (b). (d) Aroostook Band of Micmacs Settlement Act The Aroostook Band of Micmacs Settlement Act (Public Law 102–171) is amended by striking section 8.