S. 630: Quapaw Tribal Settlement Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Quapaw Tribal Settlement Act of 2025, is designed to provide financial compensation to the Quapaw Nation and certain individual members of the Quapaw Nation, as recommended by a United States Court of Federal Claims report regarding a legal claim. Here’s a breakdown of the key components:

1. Overview of Payments

The bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to make a one-time payment totaling **$137,500,000** to the Quapaw Nation and specified members of the tribe. This payment comes from funds in the U.S. Treasury that have not already been appropriated for other uses.

2. Establishment of Trust Account

A new account named the Quapaw Bear Settlement Trust Account will be created within the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Trust Funds Administration. The Secretary of the Interior will oversee the administration of this account.

3. Distribution of Funds

Once the funds are deposited into the trust account, the distribution of these funds will be determined based on a plan developed by the claimants. The claimants consist of the Quapaw Nation and identified parties from a past legal complaint.

4. Mediation Process

The bill stipulates a process for the allocation and distribution of the settlement proceeds:

• The claimants must select a mutually agreed upon third-party mediator to help resolve any disputes regarding how the funds should be distributed.
• This mediation process must start within **45 days** of the bill's enactment.
• If the claimants cannot agree on mediation or do not reach a distribution agreement this way, any claimant can request the Secretary to determine the allocation through a formal process.

5. Secretarial Allocation Procedures

If mediation fails, a designated process involving the Secretary will be triggered. The Secretary is responsible for holding hearings and making a final decision on how the funds are distributed.

6. Support From Federal Mediation Services

The bill also allows the Secretary to utilize resources from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to assist in the mediation and allocation processes, ensuring that the distribution plan is effectively managed and implemented.

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