Aroostook Band of Micmacs Settlement Act
Public Law 102-171 · S. 374 · 102nd Congress · began in the Senate
Signed by George H. W. Bush (R) on Nov 26, 1991 · Native Americans
Sponsor: Sen. William Cohen (R-ME)
Cosponsors (1): Sen. George Mitchell
Passage votes
- HouseUnanimous consent
- 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.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
Aroostook Band of Micmacs Settlement Act - Establishes within the Treasury the Aroostook Band of Micmacs Land Acquisition and Tax Fund into which shall be deposited specified amounts. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to manage the Band Tax Fund and to use such Fund to pay certain claims for which the Band is liable and which have been certified by the Commissioner of Finance in the State of Maine as valid claims. Provides that if there are insufficient funds in the Band Tax Fund to pay all claims in full, the deficiency shall be paid only from income-producing property owned by the Band which is not held in trust by the United States. Directs the Secretary to prescribe procedures governing the filing and payment of such claims.
Directs the Secretary to expend funds in the Land Acquisition Fund to acquire land or natural resources for the Band. Declares that land or natural resources acquired within the State of Maine with such funds shall be held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the Band.
Extends Federal recognition to the Aroostook Band of Micmacs. Makes the Band eligible to receive financial benefits available to other federally recognized tribes and eligible for special programs and services regardless of the residence of the members of the Band on or near a reservation.
Declares that the Band and its lands shall have the same status as other tribes and their lands accorded Federal recognition under the terms of the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980.
Authorizes the State of Maine and the Band to execute agreements regarding the jurisdiction of Maine over lands owned by, or held in trust for the benefit of, the Band or any member of the Band. Gives Federal consent to Maine to amend the Micmac Settlement Act, with a specified exception.
Allows the Band to organize for its common welfare and to adopt an appropriate governing document, consistent with the terms of this Act, to be filed with the Secretary.
Provides for the classification of the Band as an Indian tribe within the meaning of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978.
Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 for transfer to the Aroostook Band of Micmacs Land Acquisition Fund.
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.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 13 actions.
- Nov 26, 1991Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 102-171.
- Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- Nov 18, 1991PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
- Nov 12, 1991FloorFloor · A similar measure H.R. 932 was laid on the table without objection.
- FloorFloor · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- FloorFloor · On passage Passed without objection.
- FloorFloor · Considered by unanimous consent.
- FloorFloor · Mr. Miller (CA) asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and consider.
- Sep 19, 1991FloorFloor · Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
- Aug 2, 1991CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Senate Indian Affairs Committee
- Jul 18, 1991CommitteeCommittee · Markup by Senate Indian Affairs Committee
- Feb 6, 1991CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Indian Affairs Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the Senate
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.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.