HR 4463119th CongressIn Committee

To amend the Catawba Indian Tribe of South Carolina Land Claims Settlement Act of 1993.

Introduced: Jul 16, 2025

Civil Rights & Justice

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

H.R. 4463 would amend the Catawba Indian Tribe of South Carolina Land Claims Settlement Act of 1993. Specifically, it would strike a sentence that currently requires enrollment eligibility to be limited to individuals who are lineal descendants of a person on the final base membership roll and who have continued to maintain political relations with the Tribe. In effect, the bill removes this explicit eligibility constraint, potentially broadening who can qualify for tribal membership under the act. The change is narrow in text but could have downstream effects on enrollment practices, governance, and eligibility for settlement-related benefits. The bill was introduced in the House on July 16, 2025 by Representative Norman and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources. The sponsor and other details are not fully provided in the excerpt, but the action is limited to amending a single sentence in the 1993 settlement act.

Key Points

1What is changed: The bill amends Section 7(d) of the Catawba Indian Tribe of South Carolina Land Claims Settlement Act by striking the sentence that required enrollment to be limited to lineal descendants of people on the final base membership roll who had maintained political relations with the Tribe.
2Scope of amendment: The change targets only the specific enrollment eligibility phrase in Section 7(d); other provisions of the act remain as they are.
3Effect on eligibility: By removing the explicit lineal-descent and maintained-relations requirement, enrollment could be available under different criteria—either through other provisions of the act or through the Tribe’s own enrollment policies—potentially broadening who may qualify as a tribal member.
4Practical implications: A broader enrollment pool could affect the tribal membership roll, potential distribution of any settlement-related benefits, and governance decisions tied to membership.
5Legislative status: Introduced in the 119th Congress (House), on July 16, 2025, by Rep. Norman; referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Catawba Indian Tribe of South Carolina and potential future tribal members.Secondary group/area affected- Tribe’s governance bodies and any tribal programs tied to membership status; federal agencies administering the Land Claims Settlement.Additional impacts- Potential fiscal and administrative implications for managing an expanded membership roll.- Possible changes in enrollment disputes or appeals if more individuals become eligible.- Interactions with other provisions of the 1993 settlement act and with any tribal enrollment policies.

Generated by gpt-5-nano on Oct 8, 2025