S. 3859Senate119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

A bill to amend the Catawba Indian Tribe of South Carolina Land Claims Settlement Act of 1993 with respect to future membership in the Catawba Indian Nation.

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 26, 2026 at 5:27 AM UTC

This bill changes the Catawba Indian Tribe of South Carolina Land Claims Settlement Act of 1993 by eliminating a restriction on who can become a member of the Catawba Indian Nation. By striking that language, the law would allow future tribal enrollment to be determined without the requirement that new members be direct descendants of those on the original membership roll and maintain ongoing political ties. The amendment affects the criteria for tribal membership and any individuals seeking enrollment in the Catawba Nation.

Key Provisions

Removes the clause that limited tribal enrollment to only lineal descendants of individuals on the final base membership roll who have maintained political relations with the Tribe.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

Indian Affairs Committee

February 12, 2026

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

February 12, 2026

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

Indian Affairs Committee

February 12, 2026

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

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Introduced in SenateIssued February 12, 2026

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 3859

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

February 12, 2026

Mr. Graham (for himself and Mr. Scott of South Carolina) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs

A BILL

To amend the Catawba Indian Tribe of South Carolina Land Claims Settlement Act of 1993 with respect to future membership in the Catawba Indian Nation.

Future membership of the Catawba Indian Nation

Section 7(d) of the Catawba Indian Tribe of South Carolina Land Claims Settlement Act of 1993 (Public Law 103–116; 107 Stat. 1125) is amended by striking ; however, in no event may an individual be enrolled as a tribal member unless the individual is a lineal descendant of a person on the final base membership roll and has continued to maintain political relations with the Tribe.