Mashantucket Pequot Indian Claims Settlement Act

Summary

Mashantucket Pequot Indian Claims Settlement Act - Establishes in the Treasury the Connecticut Indian Claims Settlement Fund as compensation to the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe for the extinguishment of any claim to specified lands. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) hold the Fund in trust for the Tribe; and (2) spend, at the request of the Tribe, the principal and income of the Fund to acquire land or natural resources for the Tribe or for similar purposes which promote the economic development of the Tribe. Provides that such lands or natural resources which are within specified settlement lands shall be held in trust by the United States for the Tribe. Provides that such lands or natural resources acquired for the tribe which are located outside such settlement lands shall be held in fee by the Tribe, with the United States having no further responsibility, and shall not be subject to any restriction against alienation under Federal or State law. Provides that transfers of specified private settlement lands shall be deemed to be involuntary conversions for Internal Revenue Code purposes. Authorizes the appropriation of $900,000 to be deposited in the Fund. Sets forth provisions for approval of prior transfers of specified lands or natural resources and for the extinguishment of the Tribe's (or any other Indian's) aboriginal title or claims to such lands or natural resources. Directs the Secretary to publish notice in the Federal Register of the deposit of the appropriation to the Fund. Makes the date of such deposit the effective date of such extinguishment provisions. Declares the Tribe's reservation and the settlement lands to be Indian country, subject to State jurisdiction to the maximum extent provided in specified Federal law. Sets limitations on actions questioning the constitutionality of this Act. Vests exclusive original jurisdiction of such actions in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut. Permits defendants to remove such actions from State courts to such U.S. District Court. Subjects lands within the reservation and the settlement lands to Federal law relating to Indian lands, but permits the Tribe to lease lands for any term of years to the Mashantucket Pequot Housing Authority or to any successor in interest to such Authority. Extends Federal recognition to the Tribe. Provides that all Federal laws and regulations of general application to Indians or Indian nations, tribes, or bands of Indians which are not inconsistent with any specific provision of this Act shall be applicable to the Tribe. Makes the Tribe and members of the Tribe eligible for all Federal services and benefits furnished to federally recognized Indians.

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Documents

4 official files

• Passed Senate amended

  summary · EN · 17 December 1982

  Open at official source

• Passed House amended

  summary · EN · 1 October 1982

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• Reported to House with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 29 September 1982

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• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 16 June 1982

  Open at official source

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