Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act
Protecting the Wounded Knee Massacre Site
This bill has been approved by the Senate committee and is now waiting for a vote by the full Senate. It is currently placed on the legislative calendar and is actively moving forward. There are no other scheduled actions at this time.
Legislative Progress
This bill has strong support from both South Dakota senators and has already cleared the committee stage without any changes. It deals with a non-controversial land transfer for historical preservation.
Key Points
- This bill protects about 40 acres of land where the Wounded Knee Massacre happened in 1890. It moves the land into a special status that ensures the Oglala Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes own and control it forever as a sacred memorial site.
- The land will become part of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. This means the Oglala Sioux Tribe will have the power to enforce its own laws on the property, and the land cannot be sold or taken away without permission from both Congress and the tribes.
- Under this plan, state and local governments cannot charge taxes on the land. Also, the tribes will not need to ask the federal government for permission every time they want to use the land for activities allowed under their existing agreements.
- To respect the history of the site, the bill strictly bans any gambling or casino activities on this specific land. It also ensures that any current utility lines or existing agreements for the property stay in place.
- If this bill becomes law, the Department of the Interior has one year to finish all the paperwork and legal steps to officially change the status of the land.
Impact Analysis
Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.
Milestones
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 176.
The bill is now on the schedule for the full chamber to consider. It's in line for debate and a vote.
Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-71.
The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.
Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
News
No related news coverage found for this legislation yet.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(1)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.