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Assembly unanimously approves bill to restore state recognition to Montaukett Indian nation
Summary
The New York State Assembly voted 133–0 to pass A.10129, which would reinstate state recognition for the Montaukett Indian nation. A member speaking in support said legislative action is appropriate because the tribe persists despite an early 20th-century court finding.
The New York State Assembly on the floor unanimously passed A.10129, a bill to restore state recognition of the Montaukett Indian nation, the sponsor and supporters said during floor debate.
Assemblymember Scavoni, speaking in support of the measure, described the Montaukett as an existing community with more than 1,000 members on Long Island and said a 1910 court decision that declared the tribe "disintegrated" did not extinguish the people's identity. "The legislative process is the avenue to reinstate recognition for the Montaukett," he said. The member noted that state recognition has been the route used for other tribes in New York and urged passage.
Why it matters: State recognition can restore formal acknowledgment of tribal status within New York and can affect access to state-level programs, acknowledgments, and partnerships. Supporters argued the judicial finding from 1910 was not the appropriate mechanism to eliminate recognition and that the Legislature has authority to correct that history.
Vote and outcome: The clerk announced the result as Ayes 133, Nos 0; the bill was passed on the Assembly floor. The transcript records the sponsor's floor explanation and the unanimous roll call on the consent calendar.
Background and member remarks: In debate the member supporting the bill recounted the 1910 court case (Farrow v. Benson) and said there were 75 Montaukett present when that case was heard; he stated there are now more than 1,000 individuals of Montaukett heritage on Long Island. He argued that recognition historically issued through the legislative process is the correct remedy. No floor amendments were noted in the transcript.
Next steps: The bill was passed by the Assembly and, per members' remarks, was pending in the Senate following the Assembly vote. No Senate action or gubernatorial signature is recorded in this session’s transcript.
Notes on transcript spelling: The transcript contains inconsistent spellings of the member who explained the vote (appearing as both "Scafone" and "Scavoni" in different segments). The Assembly's floor record in the transcript identifies that member by the forms present; the article uses the spelling most consistently used in the transcript and flags the inconsistency for record accuracy.
