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S. 3443Senate117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians Recognition Act

Sponsored by Richard C. ShelbySen. Richard C. Shelby (R-AL)
Introduced January 5, 2022

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 8:45 AM UTC

The bill grants federal recognition to the MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians, making the tribe and its members eligible for all federal programs and benefits that apply to recognized tribes. It defines the tribe’s reservation as Washington and Mobile Counties in Alabama and allows the Secretary of the Interior to place tribal land in trust. The legislation also requires the tribe to submit and maintain an official membership roll.

Key Provisions

  • Extends federal recognition to the MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians, applying all general Indian laws to the tribe and its members.
  • Makes the tribe and its members eligible for all federal services and benefits, regardless of reservation existence or member residence.
  • Defines the tribe’s reservation boundaries as Washington County and Mobile County, Alabama, for service delivery purposes.
  • Requires the tribe to submit an initial membership roll within 18 months and to maintain it according to its constitution.
  • Authorizes the Secretary to acquire up to 3,223 acres of land in trust for the tribe within the reservation, with additional trust acquisitions allowed under the Indian Reorganization Act.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
SenateCommittee Latest Action

Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 117-360.

Indian Affairs Committee

March 23, 2022

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

January 5, 2022

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

Indian Affairs Committee

January 5, 2022

SenateCommittee

Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 117-360.

Indian Affairs Committee

March 23, 2022

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued January 5, 2022

II

117th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 3443

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

January 5, 2022

Mr. Shelby introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs

A BILL

To extend Federal recognition to the MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians Recognition Act.

2.

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

Member

The term member means—

(A)

an individual who is an enrolled member of the Tribe as of the date of enactment of this Act; and

(B)

an individual who is included on the membership roll of the Tribe under section 4.

(2)

Reservation

The term Reservation means the boundaries of the reservation of the Tribe, which are the same as the boundaries of Washington County and Mobile County in the State of Alabama.

(3)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.

(4)

Tribe

The term Tribe means the MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians.

3.

Federal recognition

(a)

Federal recognition

(1)

In general

Federal recognition is extended to the Tribe.

(2)

Applicability of laws

All laws (including regulations) of the United States of general applicability to Indians or Indian Tribes, nations, or bands of Indians, including the Act of June 18, 1934 (commonly known as the Indian Reorganization Act) (48 Stat. 984, chapter 576; 25 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.), that are not inconsistent with this Act shall be applicable to the Tribe and the members.

(b)

Federal services and benefits

(1)

In general

Beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the Tribe and the members shall be eligible for all services and benefits provided by the Federal Government to federally recognized Indian Tribes and members of federally recognized Indian Tribes, without regard to—

(A)

the existence of a reservation for the Tribe; or

(B)

the location of the residence of any member, including whether the member resides on or near a reservation.

(2)

Service area

For the purpose of the delivery of Federal services and benefits to members, the service area of the Tribe shall be considered to be the area comprised of Washington County and Mobile County in the State of Alabama.

4.

Membership roll

(a)

In general

Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Tribe shall submit to the Secretary an initial membership roll consisting of the name of each individual enrolled as a member of the Tribe.

(b)

Determination of membership

The qualifications for inclusion on the membership roll of the Tribe shall be determined in accordance with—

(1)

the Constitution of the Mobile-Washington County Band of Choctaw Indians of South Alabama, enacted on June 15, 1991; and

(2)

any amendments or changes to the Constitution.

(c)

Maintenance of roll

The Tribe shall have the sole authority and responsibility to maintain the membership roll under this section.

5.

Reservation of the Tribe

(a)

In general

The Secretary shall acquire and take into trust for the benefit of the Tribe title to land identified by the Tribe, not to exceed 3,223 acres, within the Reservation.

(b)

Subsequent trust acquisitions

The Secretary may acquire and take into trust for the benefit of the Tribe additional land pursuant to section 5 of the Act of June 18, 1934 (commonly known as the Indian Reorganization Act) (25 U.S.C. 5108).