II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1855 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 25, 2017 Mr. Donnelly (for himself and Mr. Young ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs A BILL To permit the Miami Nation of Indiana to apply for acknowledgment as a federally recognized Indian tribe, and for other purposes.

1. Definitions In this Act: (1) Acknowledgment The term acknowledgment means acknowledgment as a federally recognized Indian tribe. (2) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior. 2. Miami Nation of Indiana permitted to petition for acknowledgment (a) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law (including regulations) that denies acknowledgment to an entity that previously petitioned for and was denied acknowledgment, the Miami Nation of Indiana may submit a petition to the Secretary, under part 83 of title 25, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act), for acknowledgment. (b) Effect on determination In reviewing and making a determination on a petition for acknowledgment that the Miami Nation of Indiana submitted, the Secretary shall not use, as a reason to deny the petition for acknowledgment that the Miami Nation of Indiana submitted, any previous denial of a petition for acknowledgment that the Miami Nation of Indiana submitted, including— (1) a denial by the Secretary of a petition; (2) a court decision affirming a denial of a petition; and (3) any other denial of a petition.