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H.R. 226 119th Congress House

Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act

Official title: To take certain Federal lands in Tennessee into trust for the benefit of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Introduced: January 7, 2025 Introduced by: Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann Republican · Tennessee See on congress.gov
Native Americans Alternative and renewable resourcesElectric power generation and transmissionFloods and storm protectionHistoric sites and heritage areas
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Historical and cultural resourcesIndian lands and resources rightsLakes and riversLand transfersLand use and conservationMonuments and memorialsMuseums, exhibitions, cultural centersParks, recreation areas, trailsTennesseeWater storageWater use and supply
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 Everywhere this bill has been 10 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 23, 2026
Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.
Feb 5, 2025
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Feb 4, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H447-448)
Feb 4, 2025
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Feb 4, 2025
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H447-448)
Feb 4, 2025
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 226.
Feb 4, 2025
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H447-449)
Feb 4, 2025
Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Jan 7, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 7, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
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What's happening now September 23, 2026

Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act

This bill takes specified lands and easements in Monroe County, Tennessee, into trust for the use and benefit of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. These lands include the Sequoyah Museum, the Chota Memorial, the Tanasi Memorial, and land to provide support for these properties and cultural programs.

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) maintains its right to carry out river control and development on these lands, including temporarily and intermittently flooding certain lands. The bill specifies the structures that may be constructed with the TVA's written consent on certain lands subject to flooding. Additionally, the TVA must be compensated for lost hydropower capacity from future development of these lands.

Further, the bill specifies that the United States is not liable for loss or damage resulting from certain activities, such as the permanent flooding of adjacent lands.

In addition, the bill outlines the TVA's continuing responsibilities, including those related to environmental remediation.

Finally, the bill prohibits gaming on these lands.
 Hearings & markups 1
 Bill text 3 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 226: Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act. 119th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/119-HR-226/
MLA
"H.R. 226: Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act." 119th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/119-HR-226/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 226, 119th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/119-HR-226/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 226: Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/119-HR-226/)
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