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Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 19, 1999
Indian Federal Recognition Administrative Procedures Act of 1998 - Establishes the Commission on Indian Recognition within the Department of the Interior which shall assume the Department's authority to recognize a petitioning Indian group's tribal status. Sets forth operating and petitioning procedures. Requires petitions to contain specific evidence establishing certain mandatory criteria, including that: (1) the petitioner has been identified as an American Indian entity on a substantially continuous basis since 1934; (2) a predominant portion of the petitioning group comprises a distinct community and has existed as a community since 1934; (3) the petitioner has maintained political influence or authority over its members as an autonomous entity from 1934 until the present; (4) a governing document or description of membership criteria is submitted; (5) the petitioner's membership consists of individuals who descend from a historical Indian tribe or from tribes which combined and functioned as a single autonomous political entity; and (6) the membership of the petitioning group is composed principally of persons who are not members of any acknowledged North American Indian tribe. Requires the Commission to publish an annual list of recognized Indian tribes. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award petition assistance grants. Authorizes appropriations.
People & committees
Del. Faleomavaega, Eni F. H. [D-AS-At Large] · D–AS
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Committee Hearings Held.
Executive Comment Requested from Interior.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E81-82)
Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 20, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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