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A bill to provide for the use and distribution of funds awarded the Seminole Indians in dockets 73, 151, and 73-A of the Indians Claims Commission.

Public Law 101-277 · S. 1096 · 101st Congress · began in the Senate

Signed by George H. W. Bush (R) on Apr 30, 1990 · Native Americans

Sponsor: Sen. Don Nickles (R-OK)

Cosponsors (1): Sen. David Boren

Passage votes

  • HouseVoice vote
  • SenateVoice vote
Data notes

The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.

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Summary

The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.

Provides for the allocation of funds awarded to the Seminole Indians in certain dockets of the Indian Claims Commission according to a specified formula to the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, the Seminole Tribe of Florida, the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, and the independent Seminoles of Florida.

Authorizes the governing body of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma to prepare a plan for the use and distribution of its funds within 180 days of this Act's enactment. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to submit such a plan to the Congress for approval or, if the Seminole Nation has not prepared such a plan, to prepare and submit such a plan.

Specifies that any such plan shall provide that not less than 80 percent of the funds allocated to the Seminole Nation shall be set aside and programmed to serve common tribal needs, educational requirements, and such other purposes as the circumstances of the Seminole Nation may determine.

Restricts per capita distributions and allows such a distribution only after a membership roll of Seminole Indians has been certified by the Secretary.

Directs the Secretary to implement such a plan 60 days after its submission unless the Congress enacts a joint resolution disapproving it.

Subjects tribal investment decisions under such plans to the approval of the Secretary.

Directs the Secretary to pay the governing body of the Seminole Tribe of Florida its portion of allocated funds within 60 days after submission of an appropriate resolution by the tribal governing body.

Prohibits the preparation or implementation of a distribution plan or the distribution of allocated funds to the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida unless authorized by the General Council of the Miccosukee Tribe or by a referendum vote of tribal members called by the General Council.

Provides for the investment of funds allocated to the independent Seminole Indians of Florida until such funds are distributed.

Directs the Secretary to compile a roll of independent Seminole Indians of Florida. Requires that the funds allocated to such Indians, including all accrued interest and investment income, be distributed on a per capita basis to those enrolled.

Declares that the funds allocated to each Indian tribe under this Act are to be held in trust by the United States for the benefit of such tribe. Provides that except for per capita payments above $2,000, funds held in trust or distributed under this Act shall not be considered as income for purposes of any Federal program.

Committees

The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.

Data notes

A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.

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Timeline

From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 37 actions.

  1. Apr 30, 1990Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 101-277.
  2. Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
  3. Apr 19, 1990PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
  4. Apr 5, 1990Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate agreed to conference report by Voice Vote.
  5. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report by Voice Vote.
  6. Apr 3, 1990Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference papers: message on House action held at the desk in Senate.
  7. Resolving differencesResolving differences · On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by voice vote.
  8. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  9. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report agreed to in House: On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by voice vote.
  10. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Mr. Darden moved to suspend the rules for the consideration of conference report, H. Rept. 101-439.
  11. FloorFloor · The Chair announced that a second on the motion to suspend the rules is not required.
  12. Apr 2, 1990Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference papers: Senate report and managers' statement held at the desk in Senate.
  13. Mar 29, 1990Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report H. Rept. 101-439 filed.
  14. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report filed: Conference report H. Rept. 101-439 filed.
  15. Mar 21, 1990Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conferees agreed to file conference report.
  16. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference committee actions: Conferees agreed to file conference report.
  17. Mar 1, 1990Resolving differencesResolving differences · The chair appointed conferees: Udall, Miller (CA), Darden, Levine (CA), Faleomavaega, Young (AK), Lagomarsino, and Rhodes.
  18. FloorFloor · FURTHER APPOINTMENT OF CONFEREES - Without objection, the Chair reserved the right to appoint further conferees on the part of the House for S. 1096.
  19. Feb 28, 1990Resolving differencesResolving differences · On motion that the House insist upon its amendments, and agree to a conference Agreed to without objection.
  20. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Mr. Udall asked unanimous consent that the House insist upon its amendments, and agree to a conference.
  21. FloorFloor · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  22. Feb 7, 1990Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate requests a conference. Appoints conferees. Inouye; DeConcini; Daschle; Conrad; Reid; McCain; Murkowski; Cochran; Gorton.
  23. FloorFloor · Senate disagreed to the House amendments by Voice Vote.
  24. Feb 6, 1990FloorFloor · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  25. FloorFloor · On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
  26. FloorFloor · On ordering a second Agreed to without objection.
  27. FloorFloor · Mr. Rhodes demanded a second on the motion to suspend the rules.
  28. FloorFloor · Mr. Udall moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
  29. CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Natural Resources Committee
  30. Jan 31, 1990CommitteeCommittee · Markup by House Natural Resources Committee
Data notes

Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.

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Official record

The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.