117 HR 1942 IH: Waccamaw Indian Acknowledgement Act U.S. House of Representatives 2021-03-16 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1942IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 16, 2021Mr. Rice of South Carolina (for himself and Ms. Mace) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural ResourcesA BILLTo extend Federal recognition to the Waccamaw Indian People of Conway, South Carolina, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Waccamaw Indian Acknowledgement Act.

2.

Federal recognition

(a)

Federal recognition

Federal recognition is extended to the Waccamaw Indian People of Conway, South Carolina.(b)

Applicability of laws

All laws (including regulations) of the United States of general applicability to Indians or Nations, Indian Tribes, or bands of Indians (including the Act of June 18, 1934 (25 U.S.C. 461 et seq.)) shall be applicable to the Waccamaw Indian People of Conway, South Carolina, and members of that Tribe.

3.

Federal services and benefits

(a)

In general

Beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Tribe and each member shall be eligible for all services and benefits provided by the United States to Indians and federally recognized Indian tribes, without regard to—(1)the existence of a reservation for the Tribe; or(2)the location of the residence of any member on or near an Indian reservation.(b)

Service area

For purposes of the delivery of services and benefits to members, the service area of the Tribe shall be considered to be the area comprised of Horry County in the State of South Carolina.

4.

Membership roll

(a)

In general

As a condition of receiving recognition, services, and benefits pursuant to this Act, the Tribe shall submit to the Secretary, by not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, a 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 section A of article IV of the proposed constitution of the Tribe dated September 8, 2016 (including amendments to the constitution).(c)

Maintenance of roll

The Tribe shall maintain the membership roll under this section.

5.

Definitions

For the purposes of this Act:(1)

Member

The term member means an individual duly enrolled in the roll of the Tribe described in section 4.(2)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.(3)

Tribe

The term Tribe means the Waccamaw Indian People of South Carolina.