# Plain Language Summary: Pee Dee Indian Acknowledgement Act

This bill officially recognizes the Pee Dee Indian Tribe of McColl, South Carolina as a federally recognized Indian tribe. Right now, the Pee Dee tribe doesn't have this official status from the federal government, which means they can't access many programs and services that the government provides to other recognized tribes. This bill would change that by giving them the same legal standing as other federally recognized tribes across the country.

Once this bill passes, the Pee Dee tribe and its members would become eligible for federal services and benefits that are available to other Indian tribes. This includes things like healthcare programs, education assistance, housing support, and other services administered by the Department of Interior and other federal agencies. Importantly, the tribe doesn't need to have a reservation or live on one to receive these benefits—members can live anywhere and still qualify. The bill designates Marlboro County in South Carolina as the service area where the tribe's programs would be focused.

To make this official, the tribe has 18 months after the bill becomes law to submit a membership roll to the Secretary of Interior listing all the people who are enrolled members. The tribe will determine who qualifies for membership based on their proposed constitution from December 2020. Once that membership roll is approved, those individuals would be considered official members and could access all the federal benefits and protections that come with tribal membership. The tribe would then be responsible for maintaining and updating this membership list going forward.

Pee Dee Indian Acknowledgement Act

Rice, Tom

Pee Dee Indian Acknowledgement Act This bill makes the Pee Dee Indian Tribe of McColl, South Carolina, a federally recognized tribe. The bill makes the tribe and its members eligible for services and benefits provided to federally recognized tribes and their members, without regard to the existence of a reservation or the location of the residence of any member. Members of the tribe residing in Marlboro County in South Carolina are deemed to be within the delivery area for services and benefits. The tribe must submit to the Department of the Interior a membership roll as a condition of receiving recognition, services, and benefits. The tribe must also maintain the membership roll.