9
11

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.

3/2/2026, 12:51 PM

Summary of Bill S 3859

This bill, designated as S. 3859 in the 119th Congress, aims to modify the Catawba Indian Tribe of South Carolina Land Claims Settlement Act of 1993 concerning future membership in the Catawba Indian Nation. Introduced on February 12, 2026, the bill specifically focuses on amending provisions related to the Catawba Indian Nation's membership criteria as outlined in the existing legislation.

Congressional Summary of S 3859

This bill revises tribal membership requirements for the Catawba Indian Nation (a tribe in South Carolina).

The Catawba Indian Tribe of South Carolina Land Claims Settlement Act of 1993 explicitly restricted the tribe’s future membership to lineal descendants of people on the final base membership roll who maintained continuous political relations with the tribe. This bill removes these membership criteria and allows the tribe to determine its membership. (The tribe uses three base membership rolls and anyone who wants to be enrolled must prove lineal descent from someone listed on one of these base membership rolls.)

Current Status of Bill S 3859

Bill S 3859 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since February 12, 2026. Bill S 3859 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the Senate on February 12, 2026.  Bill S 3859's most recent activity was Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. as of February 12, 2026

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 3859

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
0
Republican Sponsors
1
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
0
Democrat Cosponsors
0
Republican Cosponsors
0
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 3859

Primary Policy Focus

Native Americans

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 3859

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.
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.

Comments