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HR 2868 99th Congress House

Gay Head Wampanoag Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1985

Official title: A bill to settle Indian land claims in the town of Gay Head, Massachusetts, and for other purposes.

Introduced: June 25, 1985 See on congress.gov
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District courtsEconomics and Public FinanceEducation of IndiansFederal employeesFederal-Indian relationsGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernment trust fundsHealth facilitiesHealth services administrationIndian claimsIndian landsJurisdictionLimitation of actionsMassachusettsPrivatization
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This bill died when the 99th Congress ended
It never became law before the 99th Congress (1985–1986) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 19 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 18, 1986
Passed Senate in lieu of S. 1452 with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Oct 18, 1986
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate in lieu of S. 1452 with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Oct 18, 1986
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
Oct 8, 1986
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 1093.
Oct 7, 1986
Passed House (Amended) by Yea-Nay Vote: 217 - 172 (Record Vote No: 437).
Oct 7, 1986
Passed/agreed to in House: Passed House (Amended) by Yea-Nay Vote: 217 - 172 (Record Vote No: 437).
Oct 7, 1986
House Agreed to Amendments Adopted by the Committee of the Whole.
Oct 7, 1986
Called up by House by Rule.
Oct 7, 1986
Rule Passed House.
Oct 2, 1986
Rules Committee Resolution H.Res.225 Reported to House.
Oct 2, 1986
Committee on Rules Granted an Open Rule Providing One Hour of General Debate; Waiving All Points of Order.
Sep 29, 1986
Placed on Union Calendar No: 557.
Sep 29, 1986
Reported to House (Amended) by House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. Report No: 99-918.
Sep 17, 1986
Ordered to be Reported (Amended).
Sep 17, 1986
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 26, 1986
Committee Hearings Held.
Jun 16, 1986
Unfavorable Executive Comment Received From Interior.
Jun 25, 1985
Referred to House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs.
Jun 25, 1985
Introduced in House
 Amendments to this bill 4

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

1 agreed to 3 pending / other

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
SAMDT 3,503 – To make technical corrections. Agreed to Oct 18, 1986
HAMDT 1,282 – An amendment to clarify that commercial lands can be treated differently without unduly compromising general … Pending Oct 7, 1986
HAMDT 1,281 – An amendment to add two new titles to the bill which consist of The Gay Head Wampanoag Indian Claims Settleme… Pending Oct 7, 1986
HAMDT 1,280 – Amendments en bloc to provide for an interim governing body for administration of the settlement lands on beh… Pending Oct 7, 1986
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 Latest action October 18, 1986

Passed Senate in lieu of S. 1452 with an amendment by Voice Vote.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Gay Head Wampanoag Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1985 - Establishes the Gay Head Indian Claims Settlement Fund in the Treasury. Authorizes appropriations for such fund.

Provides that any transfer before the enactment of this Act of lands located anywhere in the United States or within the town of Gay Head, Massachusetts, on behalf of the Wampanoag Tribal Council, Gay Head Indians, or any other Indian tribe shall be deemed to have been made: (1) in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of the United States that are applicable to such transfers; and (2) with the consent of the Congress.

Provides for the extinguishment of: (1) any aboriginal title held by the Wampanoag Tribal Council, Gay Head Indians, or any other Indian tribe to such lands; and (2) any claim by such groups against the United States which is based on the transfer of such lands or any aboriginal title to such lands. Provides that personal claims to such lands shall not be affected.

Sets forth specified conditions that must be met before the Secretary of the Interior can purchase such lands on behalf of the Gay Head Indians.

Requires the Secretary, within 60 days of the enactment of this Act, to enter into negotiation for the survey and purchase of such lands on behalf of the tribe at a fair market value. Requires arbitration to take place if the Secretary and any owner of such lands are unable to agree on such value. Requires the Secretary to purchase such lands within a specified time after the price and other terms have been determined.

Requires all rights, title, and interest in lands purchased by the Secretary to be transferred to the Wampanoag Tribal Council. Authorizes the Secretary to commence condemnation proceedings to acquire or perfect title to such lands.

Sets forth specified conditions and limitations with respect to the alienation of such lands.

Provides that the United States shall have no duties or liabilities with respect to the Council or lands after the Secretary has completed his duties under this Act. Provides that nothing in this Act shall affect the right of any Gay Head Indian entity to petition for Federal recognition or to receive benefits under such recognition.

Subjects the Indian lands to the civil and criminal laws of Massachusetts. Sets a statute of limitations upon actions to contest the constitutionality of this Act. Vests exclusive jurisdiction over such actions in the U.S. District Court of the District of Massachusetts.

 Related & companion bills 2
  • S 1452 Identical bill Gay Head Wampanoag Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1985
  • HRES 225 Procedurally related A resolution waiving certain points of order against consideration of the bill (H.R. 2965) making appropriations for th…
 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Democratic 1
D
Markey, Edward J.
Massachusetts · Jun 25, 1985
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2868: Gay Head Wampanoag Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1985. 99th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-2868/
MLA
"H.R. 2868: Gay Head Wampanoag Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1985." 99th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-2868/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2868, 99th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-2868/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2868: Gay Head Wampanoag Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1985](https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-2868/)
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