S. 550: To provide for the equitable settlement of certain Indian land disputes regarding land in Illinois, and for other purposes.

This bill aims to address land disputes involving the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and the state of Illinois by providing a legal framework for the settlement of specific claims. Here are the main components of the bill:

1. Jurisdiction Conferred on the United States Court of Federal Claims

The bill grants the United States Court of Federal Claims the authority to hear and make decisions on a land claim made by the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma. This authority is designated under the Treaty of Grouseland, which was signed on August 21, 1805. Key points include:

• The court can evaluate the claim without being limited by the statute of limitations, meaning that time-related legal defenses cannot be used against the tribe’s right to file a claim.
• This jurisdiction will expire within one year after the bill becomes law unless the Miami Tribe files a claim during that time.

2. Extinguishment of Other Claims

Under the bill, any claims related to land in Illinois that are not filed under the new provisions will be considered extinguished. This means that:

• Any current or future land claims from the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, including those from its members or descendants, will no longer be valid unless they are part of the claim that is recognized by this bill.

3. Purpose of the Bill

The overarching goal of the bill is to provide a resolution to longstanding land disputes, ensuring that the Miami Tribe can pursue its claims in a clear and definitive manner while simultaneously limiting other claims to avoid potential future disputes.

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