Quapaw Tribal Settlement Act of 2024

The Quapaw Tribal Settlement Act of 2024 establishes a special trust account to hold $137.5 million in settlement funds for the Quapaw Nation and its individual members, resolving a long-standing legal claim (Bear v. United States). The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer the funds to this account and then distribute them based on a plan agreed upon by the claimants through mediation within 45 days, or via a formal process where the Secretary makes a final distribution decision after a hearing if mediation fails. Key provisions include strict timelines for mediation, confidential dispute resolution, and the Secretary’s authority to finalize distributions if the Quapaw Nation cannot agree on a plan. This act directly affects the Quapaw Nation tribal government and its enrolled members identified in the underlying lawsuit.