H.R. 5327 grants federal recognition to the Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia, a tribe with documented history dating back to the 1580s that maintained tribal governance and military service despite losing control of their lands to court-appointed trustees starting in 1705. Once recognized, the tribe becomes eligible for federal services and benefits available to other federally recognized Indian tribes. The bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to place tribal lands into federal trust within seven Virginia counties and allows the tribe to pursue reservation status, though it explicitly prohibits gaming activities under federal Indian gaming law. This recognition restores the tribe's formal status within the federal government and provides access to resources and support programs for tribal members.
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