HR2827-119

What This Bill Does

The bill gives the United States Court of Federal Claims jurisdiction over a land claim by the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma under the August 21, 1805 Treaty of Grouseland. The court may hear and determine that claim without applying the statute of limitations or any defense based on delay. The Tribe must file within one year after enactment to preserve this special jurisdiction. Except for the claim filed through that route, the bill extinguishes all other claims to Illinois land by the Tribe and by any member, descendant, or predecessor in interest, including future claims. The text authorizes adjudication; it does not itself set an award, transfer land, or guarantee that the Tribe will prevail.

Who Benefits and How

The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma gains access to a federal judicial remedy that is insulated from limitations and delay defenses if it files on time. Illinois landowners and land users benefit from the extinguishment of other claims, reducing uncertainty concerning those asserted interests. Federal courts receive a defined route and deadline for resolving the preserved treaty claim.

Who Bears the Burden and How

The United States must defend the preserved land claim without relying on limitations or other delay defenses and could bear judgment costs if liability is established. Miami Tribe members, descendants, and predecessors lose all Illinois land claims outside the specified action. Court of Federal Claims staff must administer any timely case, and the Tribe must meet the one-year filing deadline.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes Court of Federal Claims jurisdiction over the specified Treaty of Grouseland land claim.
• Bars limitations and delay-based defenses for that claim.
• Limits the filing window to one year and extinguishes other Miami-related Illinois land claims.