H.R. 4750 — Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia Federal Recognition Act

This section enumerates 21 congressional findings documenting the history of the Patawomeck Tribe (also known as the Potomac Tribe or Band) in Virginia from the 1300s, including early European contacts in 1608, population of approximately 800 with 160 bowmen, displacement following the 1666 war declared by Virginia, survival through community coalescence near White Oak and Indian Town, impacts of the 1924 Racial Integrity Act and grave desecrations in the 1930s–1940s (affecting at least 722 ancestors), and formal reorganization in 1996 with state recognition in 2010.

This section defines key terms for the Act, including "(1) Secretary" as the Secretary of the Interior, "(2) Tribal member" as an enrolled member of the Patawomeck Indian Tribe as of enactment or added to the Tribe's membership rolls pursuant to this title, and "(3) Tribe" as the Patawomeck Indian Tribe.

This section extends federal recognition to the Tribe and applies to the Tribe and its members all U.S. laws (including regulations) of general applicability to federally recognized Indian tribes (including the Indian Reorganization Act), unless inconsistent with the Act. The Tribe and its members become eligible for all federal services and benefits available to federally recognized tribes without requiring a reservation, with the service area for delivery of such services comprising King George County, Spotsylvania County, and Stafford County, Virginia.

This section designates the Tribe's most recent membership roll and governing documents submitted to the Secretary before the date of enactment as the Tribe's official membership roll and governing documents, respectively.

This section establishes the governing body of the Tribe as (1) the governing body in place as of the date of enactment of this Act, or (2) any subsequent governing body elected in accordance with the Tribe's governing documents.

This section authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, upon request of the Tribe, to take into trust for the Tribe's benefit any land it holds in fee within the boundaries of King George County, Spotsylvania County, or Stafford County, Virginia, and requires a final written determination within three years of the request. Land taken into trust pursuant to this section is considered part of the Tribe's reservation upon the Tribe's request. The Tribe may not conduct gaming activities on such land under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) or any other federal authority or regulations.