Lumbee Fairness Act This bill extends federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and makes its members eligible for the services and benefits provided to members of federally recognized tribes. Members of the tribe residing in Robeson, Cumberland, Hoke, and Scotland Counties in North Carolina are deemed to be within the delivery area for such services. The Department of the Interior and the Department of Health and Human Services must develop, in consultation with the tribe, a determination of needs to provide the services for which members of the tribe are eligible. Interior may take land into trust for the benefit of the tribe. Finally, North Carolina must exercise jurisdiction over all criminal offenses committed, and all civil actions that arise, on North Carolina lands owned by, or held in trust for, the Lumbee Tribe or any dependent Indian community of the tribe unless jurisdiction is transferred to the United States pursuant to an agreement between the tribe and the state.
SB107, also known as the Lumbee Fairness Act, proposes amendments to the Lumbee Act of 1956 to formally recognize the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. The bill seeks to empower the Tribe by extending federal recognition, which would allow them access to numerous federal benefits and services that are typically extended to federally recognized tribes. This recognition is critical for the Lumbee people, who have long sought acknowledgment of their tribal status and Rights.
One of the significant components of SB107 is its stipulation on jurisdiction. The bill grants the state of North Carolina jurisdiction over all criminal offenses and civil actions that occur on land owned or held in trust for the Tribe. This provision ensures that the state can enforce both state and federal laws within the Tribe's geographical boundaries, thereby streamlining governance and law enforcement in these areas
Moreover, SB107 includes provisions for the Secretary of the Interior to take land into trust for the Tribe, a key aspect of tribal sovereignty that allows for self-determination and control over tribal lands. The legislation states that all federal laws applicable to Indian tribes will apply to the Lumbee Tribe, thus ensuring they are subject to the same legal protections and frameworks as other recognized tribes.
While supporters emphasize that this bill will rectify historical injustices faced by the Lumbee and help foster development within their communities, detractors raise concerns regarding potential state overreach in tribal governance. Nonetheless, the Lumbee Fairness Act represents a significant step towards recognizing the rights and needs of the Lumbee people and could pave the way for further engagement between tribal and federal authorities.