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H.R. 984: Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2017

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H.R. 984: Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2017

115th Congress · introduced 2017-02-07 · Native Americans · Latest: Became Public Law No: 115-121.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2017-02-07 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Became Public Law No: 115-121. (final step reached)
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2017

Plain summary

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.) Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2017 TITLE I--CHICKAHOMINY INDIAN TRIBE (Sec. 103) This bill extends federal recognition to the Chickahominy Tribe. The tribe and its members are made eligible for the services and benefits provided by the federal government to federally recognized Indian tribes, without regard to the existence of a reservation for the tribe. The bill establishes the service area of the tribe. (Sec. 104) The bill sets forth requirements for the tribe regarding its membership roll, governing documents, and governing body. (Sec. 106) The Department of the Interior, upon the request of the tribe, must take certain land owned by the tribe in Virginia into trust for the benefit of the tribe, to be considered part of the tribe's reservation. The bill prohibits the tribe from conducting gaming activities. (Sec. 107) The bill does not affect the hunting, fishing, trapping, gathering, or water rights of the tribe or its members. TITLE II--CHICKAHOMINY INDIAN TRIBE--EASTERN DIVISION (Sec. 203) This bill extends federal recognition to the Chickahominy Indian Tribe--Eastern Division. The tribe and its members are made eligible for the services and benefits provided by the federal government to federally recognized tribes, without regard to the existence of a reservation for the tribe. The bill establishes the service area of the tribe. (Sec. 204) The bill sets forth requirements for the tribe regarding its membership roll, governing documents, and governing body. (Sec. 206) The Department of the Interior, upon the request of the tribe, must take certain land owned by the tribe in Virginia into trust for the benefit of the tribe, to be considered part of the tribe's reservation. The bill prohibits the tribe from conducting gaming activities. (Sec. 207) The bill does not affect the hunting, fishing, trapping, gathering, or water rights of the tribe or its members. TITLE III--UPPER MATTAPONI TRIBE (Sec. 303) This bill extends federal recognition to the Upper Mattaponi Tribe. The tribe and its members are made eligible for the services and benefits provided by the federal government to federally recognized tribes, without regard to the existence of a reservation for the tribe. The bill establishes the service area of the tribe. (Sec. 304) The bill sets forth requirements for the tribe regarding its membership roll, governing documents, and governing body. (Sec. 306) The Department of the Interior, upon the request of the tribe, must take certain land owned by the tribe in Virginia into trust for the benefit of the tribe, to be considered part of the tribe's reservation. The bill prohibits the tribe from conducting gaming activities. (Sec. 307) The bill does not affect the hunting, fishing, trapping, gathering, or water rights of the tribe or its members. TITLE IV--RAPPAHANNOCK TRIBE, INC. (Sec. 403) This bill extends federal recognition to the Rappahannock Tribe, Inc. The tribe and its members are made eligible for the services and benefits provided by the federal government to federally recognized tribes, without regard to the existence of a reservation for the tribe. The bill establishes the service area of the tribe. (Sec. 404) The bill sets forth requirements for the tribe regarding its membership roll, governing documents, and governing body. (Sec. 406) The Department of the Interior, upon the request of the tribe, must take certain land owned by the tribe in Virginia into trust for the benefit of the tribe, to be considered part of the tribe's reservation. The bill prohibits the tribe from conducting gaming activities. (Sec. 407) The bill does not affect the hunting, fishing, trapping, gathering, or water rights of the tribe or its members. TITLE V--MONACAN INDIAN NATION (Sec. 503) This bill extends federal recognition to the Monacan Indian Nation. The tribe and its members are made eligible for the services and benefits provided by the federal government to federally recognized tribes, without regard to the existence of a reservation for the tribe. The bill establishes the service area of the tribe. (Sec. 504) The bill sets forth requirements for the tribe regarding its membership roll, governing documents, and governing body. (Sec. 506) The Department of the Interior, upon the request of the tribe, must take certain land owned by the tribe in Virginia into trust for the benefit of the tribe, to be considered part of the tribe's reservation. The bill prohibits the tribe from conducting gaming activities. (Sec. 507) The bill does not affect the hunting, fishing, trapping, gathering, or water rights of the tribe or its members. TITLE VI--NANSEMOND INDIAN TRIBE (Sec. 603) This bill extends federal recognition to the Nansemond Indian Tribe. The tribe and its members are made eligible for the services and benefits provided by the federal government to federally recognized tribes, without regard to the existence of a reservation for the tribe. The bill establishes the service area of the tribe. (Sec. 604) The bill sets forth requirements for the tribe regarding its membership roll, governing documents, and governing body. (Sec. 606) The Department of the Interior, upon the request of the tribe, must take certain land owned by the tribe in Virginia into trust for the benefit of the tribe, to be considered part of the tribe's reservation. The bill prohibits the tribe from conducting gaming activities. (Sec. 607) The bill does not affect the hunting, fishing, trapping, gathering, or water rights of the tribe or its members. TITLE VII--EMINENT DOMAIN (Sec. 701) Eminent domain may not be used to acquire lands for a tribe recognized under this bill.

Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

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What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2017

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law)

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1] · 5 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 984, Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2017 (2017-09-26)

Cosponsors on this site

Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (D-VA), Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-VA)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1] reported raising $5.4 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (1)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong115-hr984 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong115 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong115