A bill to provide for the use and distribution of Seminole judgment funds in Dockets 73 and 151 before the Indian Claims Commission, and for other purposes.
Latest action. Referred to Senate select committeeA committee created for a specific purpose or period, usually to investigate something, rather than to hold permanent jurisdiction over a subject.Read the full definition (opens a new tab) on Indian Affairs.
Provides for the use and distribution of judgment funds awarded by the Indian Claims Commission to the Seminole Indians. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to divide such funds by specified percentages between the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and the Seminole Indians of Florida. Distributes to the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma: (1) 64 percent of such funds in per capita payments to tribal members by blood; (2) 20 percent of such funds in investments for social and economic programs; and (3) 16 percent in investments for periodic payments to such members. Requires the tribal governing body to maintain a Standing Judgment Fund Committee comprised of 12 members representing the 12 Oklahoma Seminole by blood bands. Authorizes such committee to make recommendations regarding the implementation of programming elements for such tribes. Provides that the share of funds awarded to the Seminole Indians of Florida be divided among the Seminole Tribe of Florida, the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, and the unaffiliated Seminoles of Florida on the basis of their respective numbers. Requires that for the Seminole Tribe and the Miccosukee Tribe 80 percent of such funds be distributed on a per capita basis and 20 percent be available for tribal social and economic programs. Makes unaffiliated Florida Seminoles, who are or who have direct ancestors who were enrolled on certain Florida Seminole censuses, eligible to participate in such distribution. Provides that all such funds be distributed on a per capita basis. Sets forth procedures for handling per capita shares of living competent adults, deceased beneficiaries, legal incompetents, and minors. Exempts any funds distributed under this Act from Federal or State income taxes and from income counted in determining eligibility for Federal, State, or local programs of assistance.
Written by analysts at the Congressional Research Service and published on Congress.gov, not by Civibrief. Summarized at the "Introduced in Senate" stage on July 23, 1980. It describes the bill, it is not the legal text.
Where is it in the process, and what happens next?
4 steps remain before this bill could become law.
The record's latest action, on July 23, 1980: Referred to Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs.
- Clearing the committees it was referred to, and being scheduled for a floor vote
- Passage by the Senate
- Passage by the House
- The President's signature. If the President vetoes it, two-thirds of both chambers must vote to override.
How likely is it to become law?
Civibrief does not forecast outcomes and this page has no opinion about this one. What the record supports is a base rate, which is a fact about the whole pile, not a prediction about this measure.
In the 96th Congress (1979-80), 613 of the 12,581 bills and joint resolutions introduced became law, about 4.9 percent. That count covers every measure at every stage, including the many that never left committee.
This one is not there yet: 4 steps are still outstanding, listed above.
Has anyone actually voted on it?
No. No roll call in this Congress cites this measure. That is the ordinary outcome: most measures never reach a recorded floor vote, and a committee ends most of them simply by not acting.
A vote is not the only thing that happens to a measure. Hearings, markups, and referrals are all recorded actions, and none of them is a vote of the full chamber.
Who is behind it?
HENRY BELLMON (R-OK) introduced it on July 23, 1980. No cosponsors are recorded.
Cosponsoring is a formal signature on the text. It is not a commitment to vote for the measure, it does not bind anyone's party, and a long list of cosponsors is a measure of attention rather than of prospects.
How long has it been in play?
It was introduced on July 23, 1980, 16897 days ago. The most recent recorded action was 16897 days ago, on July 23, 1980.
Measures do not carry over. Anything the 96th Congress has not finished by January 3, 1981 dies when the term ends, and has to be introduced again from the start in the next Congress.
Every answer above is assembled from this measure's own record on Congress.gov and from published counts of what Congress has passed before. Civibrief does not predict outcomes and takes no position on any measure.
Vote history
- SenateIn committee, no floor vote yet
- HouseAwaits Senate passage
- PresidentAwaits both chambers