Grand Ronde Restoration Act
Public Law 98-165 · H.R. 3885 · 98th Congress · began in the House
Signed by Ronald Reagan (R) on Nov 22, 1983 · Native Americans
Sponsor: Rep. Les AuCoin (D-OR-1)
Cosponsors (2): Rep. Ron Wyden, Rep. James Weaver
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.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
Grand Ronde Restoration Act - Deems the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon one tribal unit for purposes of Federal recognition and eligibility for Federal benefits, as well as for purposes of tribal self-government, and the establishment of a tribal reservation.
Extends Federal recognition to the Tribes and reinstates the tribal corporate charter issued under specified law. Applies to the Tribes all federal laws generally applicable to Indians.
Renders the act approved August 13, 1954, inapplicable to the Tribes, and restores all rights and privileges which may have been diminished or lost under it.
Makes the Tribes and their members eligible for all Federal services and benefits furnished to federally recognized Indian tribes regardless of the existence of a reservation. Provides that tribal members residing in specified counties will be deemed to be residing on or near a reservation for purposes of the availability of Federal services. States that the establishment of a reservation for the Tribes will not affect a member's eligibility for Federal services.
Precludes the restoration of any hunting, fishing or trapping rights under this Act.
Establishes an Interim Council of the Tribes to represent and govern them until a permanent governing body has convened.
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) announce the date of a general council meeting to nominate candidates for election to the Interim Council; (2) hold an election by secret ballot to elect Interim Council members by a specified date; and (3) ensure that specified tribal members receive at least ten days notice of meetings and elections.
Grants such Council authority to receive grants, enter into contracts, and bind the tribal governing body as successor in interest for a maximum of six months. Vests the Interim Council with responsibility for preparing the tribal constitution and bylaws including bylaws covering the election of a tribal governing body.
Establishes: (1) an open tribal membership roll; (2) criteria governing membership eligibility; and (3) procedures to verify such eligibility.
Directs the Secretary to: (1) enter into negotiations with the first elected tribal governing body to establish a tribal reservation; (2) develop a plan for the establishment of such reservation within a specified time; and (3) notify and consult with State and local governmental officials to avoid prejudice by the proposed enlargement of the reservation.
Enumerates restrictions placed upon any tribal reservation plan developed by the Secretary.
States that any reservation for the tribe shall be established by an Act of Congress enacted after the enactment of this Act.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Natural Resources Committee · House · hearings by (full committee), markup by, referred to, reported by
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. 11 actions.
- Nov 22, 1983Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 98-165.
- Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- Nov 14, 1983PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
- Nov 11, 1983FloorFloor · Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
- Nov 8, 1983FloorFloor · Received in the Senate and held at the desk by unanimous consent. Pending further disposition.
- Nov 7, 1983FloorFloor · Passed House (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- Nov 2, 1983CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Natural Resources Committee
- Oct 26, 1983CommitteeCommittee · Markup by House Natural Resources Committee
- Oct 18, 1983CommitteeCommittee · Hearings by House Natural Resources Committee
- Sep 14, 1983CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Natural Resources Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
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.