25 U.S.C.
United States Code, 2011 Edition
Title 25 - INDIANS
CHAPTER 14 - MISCELLANEOUS
SUBCHAPTER V - PROTECTION OF INDIANS AND CONSERVATION OF RESOURCES
From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov

SUBCHAPTER V—PROTECTION OF INDIANS AND CONSERVATION OF RESOURCES

§461. Allotment of land on Indian reservations

On and after June 18, 1934, no land of any Indian reservation, created or set apart by treaty or agreement with the Indians, Act of Congress, Executive order, purchase, or otherwise, shall be allotted in severalty to any Indian.

(June 18, 1934, ch. 576, §1, 48 Stat. 984.)

Short Title of 2004 Amendment

Pub. L. 108–204, §1(a), Mar. 2, 2004, 118 Stat. 542, provided that: “This Act [amending sections 476, 640d–24, and 712e of this title and provisions set out as notes under section 301 of Title 7, Agriculture, section 7420 of Title 10, Armed Forces, and section 431 of Title 16, Conservation] may be cited as the ‘Native American Technical Corrections Act of 2004’.”

Short Title

Act June 18, 1934, which enacted this section and sections 462, 463, 464, 465, 466 to 470, 471, 472, 473, 474, 475, 476 to 478, and 479 of this title, is popularly known as the “Indian Reorganization Act”.

§462. Existing periods of trust and restrictions on alienation extended

The existing periods of trust placed upon any Indian lands and any restriction on alienation thereof are extended and continued until otherwise directed by Congress.

(June 18, 1934, ch. 576, §2, 48 Stat. 984.)

§462a. Omitted

Codification

Section, act Apr. 11, 1940, ch. 80, 54 Stat. 106, related to reimposition and extension of trust period on lands of Crow Reservation.

§463. Restoration of lands to tribal ownership

(a) Protection of existing rights

The Secretary of the Interior, if he shall find it to be in the public interest, is authorized to restore to tribal ownership the remaining surplus lands of any Indian reservation heretofore opened, or authorized to be opened, to sale, or any other form of disposal by Presidential proclamation, or by any of the public-land laws of the United States: Provided, however, That valid rights or claims of any persons to any lands so withdrawn existing on the date of the withdrawal shall not be affected by this Act: Provided further, That this section shall not apply to lands within any reclamation project heretofore authorized in any Indian reservation.

(b) Papago Indians; permits for easements, etc.

(1), (2) Repealed. May 27, 1955, ch. 106, §1, 69 Stat. 67.

(3) Water reservoirs, charcos, water holes, springs, wells, or any other form of water development by the United States or the Papago Indians shall not be used for mining purposes under the terms of this Act, except under permit from the Secretary of the Interior approved by the Papago Indian Council: Provided, That nothing herein shall be construed as interfering with or affecting the validity of the water rights of the Indians of this reservation: Provided further, That the appropriation of living water heretofore or hereafter affected, by the Papago Indians is recognized and validated subject to all the laws applicable thereto.

(4) Nothing herein contained shall restrict the granting or use of permits for easements or rights-of-way; or ingress or egress over the lands for all proper and lawful purposes.

(June 18, 1934, ch. 576, §3, 48 Stat. 984; Aug. 28, 1937, ch. 866, 50 Stat. 862; May 27, 1955, ch. 106, §1, 69 Stat. 67.)

References in Text

“Heretofore”, referred to in subsec. (a), means before June 18, 1934.

The public-land laws of the United States, referred to in subsec. (a), are classified generally to Title 43, Public Lands.

This Act, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (b)(3), is act June 18, 1934, which is classified generally to this subchapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 461 of this title and Tables.

Amendments

1955—Subsec. (b)(1). Act May 27, 1955, repealed par. (1) which restored lands of Papago Indian Reservation to exploration and location.

Subsec. (b)(2). Act May 27, 1955, repealed par. (2) which required person desiring a mineral patent to pay $1 per acre in lieu of annual rental.

Subsec. (b)(4). Act May 27, 1955, struck out provisions relating to authority to issue or promulgate rules or regulations in conflict with Executive Order of Feb. 1, 1917 or act of Feb. 21, 1931 (46 Stat. 1202).

1937—Subsec. (a). Act Aug. 28, 1937, designated existing provisions of first par. as subsec. (a).

Subsec. (b)(1). Act Aug. 28, 1937, designated existing provisions of first par. as par. (1), substituted “damages shall be paid to the superintendent or other officer in charge of the reservation for the credit of the owner thereof” for “damages shall be paid to the Papago Tribe” and “to be the fair and reasonable value of such improvement” for “but not to exceed the cost of said improvements” and struck out “and payments derived from damages or rentals shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United States to the credit of the Papago Tribe” after “mining operations,”.

Subsec. (b)(2). Act Aug. 28, 1937, designated existing provisions of first par. as par. (2), inserted “pay to the superintendent or other officer in charge of the reservation, for” before “deposit”, substituted “Provided, That an applicant for patent shall also pay to the Secretary or other officer in charge of the said reservation for the credit of the owner” for “Provided further, That patentee shall also pay into the Treasury of the United States to the credit of the Papago Tribe” substituted “but the sum thus deposited, except for a deduction of rental at the annual rate hereinbefore provided, shall be refunded to the applicant in the event that patent is not acquired” for “the payment of $1.00 per acre for surface use to be refunded to patentee in the event that patent is not acquired” after “determination by the Secretary of the Interior, but not to exceed the cost thereof”.

Subsec. (b)(3). Act Aug. 28, 1937, added par. (3).

Subsec. (b)(4). Act Aug. 28, 1937, designated second par. as par. (4).

Transfer of Functions

Functions of all other officers of Department of the Interior and functions of all agencies and employees of Department, with two exceptions, transferred to Secretary of the Interior, with power vested in him to authorize their performance or performance of any of his functions by any of those officers, agencies, and employees, by Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174, 64 Stat. 1262, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Restoration of Vacant and Undisposed-of Ceded Lands in Certain Indian Reservations

Pub. L. 85–420, May 19, 1958, 72 Stat. 121, provided: “That all lands now or hereafter classified as vacant and undisposed-of ceded lands (including townsite lots) on the following named Indian reservations are hereby restored to tribal ownership, subject to valid existing rights:

 
Reservation and StateApproximate

acreage

Klamath River, California 159.57
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 12,877.65
Crow, Montana 10,260.95
Fort Peck, Montana 41,450.13
Spokane, Washington 5,451.00

Provided, That such restoration shall not apply to any lands while they are within reclamation projects heretofore authorized.

Sec. 2. Title to the lands restored to tribal ownership by this Act shall be held by the United States in trust for the respective tribe or tribes, and such lands are hereby added to and made a part of the existing reservations for such tribe or tribes.

Sec. 3. The lands restored to tribal ownership by this Act may be sold or exchanged by the tribe, with the approval of the Secretary of the Interior.”

Papago Indian Reservation

Section 1 of act May 27, 1955, provided: “That the provisions with respect to subjection of mineral lands within the Papago Indian Reservation to exploration, location, and entry under the mining laws of the United States in the Executive order dated February 1, 1917, creating the Papago Indian Reservation, and in the third proviso in section 1 of the Act of February 21, 1931 (46 Stat. 1202), and the provisions of subsection (b)(1) and (2) and of the remainder, following the word ‘purposes’, of subsection (b)(4) of section 3 of the Act of June 18, 1934 (48 Stat. 984; 25 U.S.C. 461–479), as amended by the Act of August 28, 1937 (50 Stat. 862, 863; 25 U.S.C. 463) [this section], are hereby repealed, all tribal lands within the Papago Indian Reservation are hereby withdrawn from all forms of exploration, location, and entry under such laws, the minerals underlying such lands are hereby made a part of the reservation to be held in trust by the United States for the Papago Indian Tribe, and such minerals shall be subject to lease for mining purposes pursuant to the provisions of the Act of May 11, 1938 (52 Stat. 347) [sections 396a to 396g of this title]: Provided, That the provisions of this Act shall not be applicable to lands within the Papago Indian Reservation for which a mineral patent has heretofore been issued or to a claim that has been validly initiated before the date of this Act and thereafter maintained under the mining laws of the United States.”

§463a. Extension of boundaries of Papago Indian Reservation

Whenever all privately owned lands except mining claims within the following-described area have been purchased and acquired as authorized in sections 463b and 463c of this title, the boundary of the Papago Indian Reservation in Arizona shall be extended to include the west half of section 4; west half of section 9, township 17 south, range 8 east; all of township 18 south, range 2 west, all of fractional township 19 south, range 2 west; and all of fractional townships 18 and 19 south, range 3 west, except sections 6, 7, 18, 19, 30, and 31 in township 18 south, range 3 west, Gila and Salt River meridian. This extension shall not affect any valid rights initiated prior to July 28, 1937, nor the reservation of a strip of land sixty feet wide along the United States-Mexico boundary made by proclamation of the President dated May 27, 1907 (35 Stat. 2136). The lands herein described when added to the Papago Indian Reservation as provided in sections 463a to 463c of this title shall become a part of said reservation in all respects and upon all the same terms as if said lands had been included in the Executive order issued by the President on February 1, 1917: Provided, That lands acquired under sections 463a to 463c of this title shall remain tribal lands and shall not be subject to allotment to individual Indians.

(July 28, 1937, ch. 527, §1, 50 Stat. 536.)

§463b. Purchase of private lands; limitations

The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to purchase for the use and benefit of the Papago Indians with any available funds heretofore or hereafter appropriated, pursuant to authority contained in section 465 of this title, all privately owned lands, water rights, and reservoir site reserves within townships 18 and 19 south, ranges 2 and 3 west, together with all grazing privileges and including improvements upon public lands appurtenant to the so-called Menager Dam property, at the appraised value of $40,016.37.

(July 28, 1937, ch. 527, §2, 50 Stat. 536.)

§463c. Gift of lands by Arizona

The State of Arizona may relinquish in favor of the Papago Indians such tracts within the townships referred to in section 463a of this title as it may see fit and shall have the right to select other unreserved and nonmineral public lands within the State of Arizona equal in area to those relinquished, said lieu selections to be made in the same manner as is provided for in the Enabling Act of June 20, 1910 (36 Stat. 558), or in the discretion of the State of Arizona under the provisions of section 315g of title 43. The payment of fees or commissions is waived in all lieu selections made pursuant to this section.

(July 28, 1937, ch. 527, §3, 50 Stat. 536.)

References in Text

The Enabling Act of June 20, 1910, referred to in text, probably means act June 20, 1910, ch. 310, 36 Stat. 557, which provided that, subject to certain limitations, lieu selections of land in Arizona are to be made pursuant to sections 851 and 852 of Title 43, Public Lands.

Section 315g of title 43, referred to in text, was repealed by Pub. L. 94–579, title VII, §705(a), Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2792.

§463d. Restoration of lands in Umatilla Indian Reservation to tribal ownership

The Secretary of the Interior is authorized in his discretion to restore to tribal ownership the undisposed of surplus lands of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Oregon, heretofore opened to entry or other form of disposal under the public-land laws: Provided, That restoration shall be subject to any existing valid rights.

(Aug. 10, 1939, ch. 662, §1, 53 Stat. 1351.)

Inheritance of Trust or Restricted Lands

Pub. L. 95–264, Apr. 18, 1978, 92 Stat. 202, provided: “That the right to inherit trust or restricted land on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, to the extent that the laws of descent of the State of Oregon are inconsistent herewith, shall be as provided herein.

Sec. 2. When any Indian dies leaving any interest in trust or restricted land within the Umatilla Reservation and not having lawfully devised the same, such interest shall descend in equal shares to his or her children and to the issue of any deceased child by right of representation; and if there is no child of the decedent living at the time of his or her death, such interests shall descend to his or her other lineal descendants; and if such descendants are in the same degree of kindred to the intestate, they shall take such real property equally, or otherwise they shall take according to the right of representation. An interest taken hereunder shall be subject to the right of a surviving spouse as provided in section 3.

“Sec. 3. The surviving spouse of any Indian who dies leaving any interest in trust or restricted land within the Umatilla Reservation shall be entitled to obtain a one-half interest in all such trust or restricted interests in land during his or her lifetime.

“Sec. 4. If any Indian, who leaves any interest in trust or restricted land within the Umatilla Reservation, makes provisions for his or her surviving spouse by an approved will, such surviving spouse shall have an election whether to take the provisions as made in such will or to take the interest as set forth in section 3 of this Act, but such surviving spouse shall not be entitled to both unless it plainly appears by the will to have been so intended by the testator. When any surviving spouse is entitled to an election under this section, he or she shall be deemed to have elected to take the provisions as made in such will unless, at or prior to the first hearing to probate the will, he or she has elected to take under section 3 of this Act and not under the will.

“Sec. 5. The provisions of this Act shall apply to all estates of decedents who die on or after the date of enactment of this Act [Apr. 18, 1978].”

Conveyance of Lands To Stimulate Industrial Development

Pub. L. 85–186, Aug. 28, 1957, 71 Stat. 468, provided: “That, upon request of any Indian tribe, group, or corporate entity, and approval of the request by the Secretary of the Interior as provided in this Act, the Administrator of the General Services Administration is authorized to transfer, without cost to such Indian tribe, group, or corporate entity, title to any property of the United States at the McNary Dam townsite, Umatilla, Oregon, or at Pickstown, South Dakota, that is declared surplus pursuant to the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (Act of June 30, 1949; 63 Stat. 378), as amended [see chapters 1 to 11 of Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works, and division C (except sections 3302, 3307(e), 3501(b), 3509, 3906, 4710, and 4711) of subtitle I of Title 41, Public Contracts]. Such property shall not be exempt from taxation because of the fact that title is held by the Indian tribe, group, or corporate entity.

Sec. 2. The Secretary of the Interior shall approve a request for surplus property pursuant to this Act only if—

“(a) the Indian tribe, group, or corporate entity is organized under State or Federal law in a form satisfactory to the Secretary for the purpose of holding title to the property;

“(b) the surplus property is to be used to stimulate industrial development near the Indian tribe, band, group, or reservations;

“(c) the Indian tribe, group, or corporate entity has executed a contract with an industrial enterprise that is acceptable to the Secretary;

“(d) the contract between the Indian tribe, group, or corporate entity and the industrial enterprise contains such provisions as the Secretary deems desirable, including in substance the following:

“(1) Title to the property will remain in the Indian tribe, group, or corporate entity, and the property will be made available to the industrial enterprise at a rental fee commensurate with the purposes of this Act, which rental shall be paid to the United States Treasury.

“(2) The industrial enterprise will employ Indians in large enough numbers to justify, in the judgment of the Secretary, the purposes of this Act.

“(3) The industrial enterprise will agree to pay its employees fair and equitable wages commensurate with the general wage scale in the area.

“(4) The industrial enterprise will maintain the property in good repair, pay all taxes properly assessed against the property, and be responsible for the payment of all charges for utility services to the property.

“(5) At the end of the contract period the industry will have an option to purchase the property at its appraised price, as determined by the Secretary, the proceeds of such sale will revert to the United States Treasury.

Sec. 3. Any transfer of title to surplus property pursuant to this Act shall provide for a reversion of title to the United States if the Secretary of the Interior finds that the property is not being used in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

Sec. 4. The United States shall not be responsible for providing to the Indians who are employed in an industrial development pursuant to this Act community services that are normally furnished by State and local governments, such as school, health, welfare, and law-enforcement services.

Sec. 5. The transfer of McNary Dam townsite shall be upon the express condition that persons or families occupying residential property on the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 28, 1957] shall be entitled to at least one hundred and eighty days’ notice of termination of their occupancy.”

§463e. Exchanges of land

For the purpose of effecting land consolidations between Indians and non-Indians within the reservation, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized, under such rules and regulations as he may prescribe, to acquire through purchase, exchange, or relinquishment, any interest in lands, water rights, or surface rights to lands within said reservation. Exchanges of lands hereunder shall be made on the basis of equal value and the value of improvements on lands to be relinquished to the Indians or by Indians to non-Indians shall be given due consideration and allowance made therefor in the valuation of lieu lands. This section shall apply to tribal, trust, or otherwise restricted Indian allotments whether the allottee be living or deceased.

(Aug. 10, 1939, ch. 662, §2, 53 Stat. 1351.)

§463f. Title to lands

Title to lands or any interest therein acquired pursuant to sections 463d to 463g of this title for Indian use shall be taken in the name of the United States of America in trust for the tribe or individual Indian for which acquired.

(Aug. 10, 1939, ch. 662, §3, 53 Stat. 1351.)

§463g. Use of funds appropriated under section 465

For the purpose of carrying into effect the land-purchase provision of sections 463d to 463g of this title, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to use so much as may be necessary of any funds heretofore or hereafter appropriated pursuant to section 465 of this title.

(Aug. 10, 1939, ch. 662, §4, 53 Stat. 1351.)

§464. Transfer and exchange of restricted Indian lands and shares of Indian tribes and corporations

Except as provided in this Act, no sale, devise, gift, exchange, or other transfer of restricted Indian lands or of shares in the assets of any Indian tribe or corporation organized under this Act shall be made or approved: Provided, That such lands or interests may, with the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, be sold, devised, or otherwise transferred to the Indian tribe in which the lands or shares are located or from which the shares were derived, or to a successor corporation: Provided further, That, subject to section 8(b) of the American Indian Probate Reform Act of 2004 (Public Law 108–374; 25 U.S.C. 2201 note), lands and shares described in the preceding proviso shall descend or be devised to any member of an Indian tribe or corporation described in that proviso or to an heir or lineal descendant of such a member in accordance with the Indian Land Consolidation Act (25 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.), including a tribal probate code approved, or regulations promulgated under, that Act: Provided further, That the Secretary of the Interior may authorize any voluntary exchanges of lands of equal value and the voluntary exchange of shares of equal value whenever such exchange, in the judgment of the Secretary, is expedient and beneficial for or compatible with the proper consolidation of Indian lands and for the benefit of cooperative organizations.

(June 18, 1934, ch. 576, §4, 48 Stat. 985; Pub. L. 96–363, §1, Sept. 26, 1980, 94 Stat. 1207; Pub. L. 106–462, title I, §106(c), Nov. 7, 2000, 114 Stat. 2007; Pub. L. 108–374, §6(d), Oct. 27, 2004, 118 Stat. 1805; Pub. L. 109–157, §8(b), Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2952; Pub. L. 109–221, title V, §501(b)(1), May 12, 2006, 120 Stat. 343.)

References in Text

This Act, referred to in text, is act June 18, 1934, which is classified generally to this subchapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 461 of this title and Tables.

The Indian Land Consolidation Act, referred to in text, is title II of Pub. L. 97–459, Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2517, which is classified generally to chapter 24 (§2201 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 2201 of this title and Tables.

Amendments

2006—Pub. L. 109–221 amended section catchline and text generally. Prior to amendment, text related to transfer and exchange of restricted Indian land and shares of Indian tribes and corporations.

2005—Pub. L. 109–157 amended section catchline and text generally. Prior to amendment, text related to transfer of restricted Indian lands or shares in assets of Indian tribes or corporation and exchange of lands.

2004—Pub. L. 108–374, §6(d)(1), (2), in first proviso, struck out “, in accordance with the then existing laws of the State, or Federal laws where applicable, in which said lands are located or in which the subject matter of the corporation is located,” after “descend or be devised” and “, except as provided by the Indian Land Consolidation Act, any other Indian person for whom the Secretary of the Interior determines that the United States may hold land in trust:” after “lineal descendants of such member or”.

Pub. L. 108–374, §6(d)(3), which directed insertion of “in accordance with the Indian Land Consolidation Act (25 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.) (including a tribal probate code approved under that Act or regulations promulgated under that Act):” in first proviso without specifying where the insertion was to be made, was executed by making the insertion at end of first proviso, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

2000—Pub. L. 106–462, which directed the amendment of this section by substituting “member or, except as provided by the Indian Land Consolidation Act,” for “member or:”, was executed by making the substitution for “member or” before “any other Indian person” to reflect the probable intent of Congress because the phrase “member or:” did not appear in text.

1980—Pub. L. 96–363, which directed the amendment of the first proviso of this section by substituting “or any heirs or lineal descendants of such member or any other Indian person for whom the Secretary of the Interior determines that the United States may hold land in trust” for “or any heirs of such members”, was executed by making the substitution for “or any heirs of such member” to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Effective Date of 2006 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 109–221 effective as if included in the enactment of Pub. L. 108–374, see section 501(c) of Pub. L. 109–221, set out as a note under section 348 of this title.

Effective Date of 2005 Amendment

Pub. L. 109–157, §9, Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2953, provided that: “The amendments made by this Act [amending this section, sections 2204 to 2206, 2212, 2214, and 2216 of this title and provisions set out as a note under section 2201 of this title] shall be effective as if included in the American Indian Probate Reform Act of 2004 (25 U.S.C. 2201 note; Public Law 108–374).”

Effective Date of 2004 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 108–374 applicable on and after the date that is 1 year after June 20, 2005, see section 8(b) of Pub. L. 108–374, set out as a Notice; Effective Date of 2004 Amendment note under section 2201 of this title.

§465. Acquisition of lands, water rights or surface rights; appropriation; title to lands; tax exemption

The Secretary of the Interior is authorized, in his discretion, to acquire, through purchase, relinquishment, gift, exchange, or assignment, any interest in lands, water rights, or surface rights to lands, within or without existing reservations, including trust or otherwise restricted allotments, whether the allottee be living or deceased, for the purpose of providing land for Indians.

For the acquisition of such lands, interests in lands, water rights, and surface rights, and for expenses incident to such acquisition, there is authorized to be appropriated, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, a sum not to exceed $2,000,000 in any one fiscal year: Provided, That no part of such funds shall be used to acquire additional land outside of the exterior boundaries of Navajo Indian Reservation for the Navajo Indians in Arizona, nor in New Mexico, in the event that legislation to define the exterior boundaries of the Navajo Indian Reservation in New Mexico, and for other purposes, or similar legislation, becomes law.

The unexpended balances of any appropriations made pursuant to this section shall remain available until expended.

Title to any lands or rights acquired pursuant to this Act or the Act of July 28, 1955 (69 Stat. 392), as amended (25 U.S.C. 608 et seq.) shall be taken in the name of the United States in trust for the Indian tribe or individual Indian for which the land is acquired, and such lands or rights shall be exempt from State and local taxation.

(June 18, 1934, ch. 576, §5, 48 Stat. 985; Pub. L. 100–581, title II, §214, Nov. 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 2941.)

References in Text

This Act, referred to in text, is act June 18, 1934, which is classified generally to this subchapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 461 of this title and Tables.

Act of July 28, 1955, referred to in text, is act July 28, 1955, ch. 423, 69 Stat. 392, as amended, which is classified to sections 608 to 608c of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

Amendments

1988—Pub. L. 100–581 inserted “or the Act of July 28, 1955 (69 Stat. 392), as amended (25 U.S.C. 608 et seq.)” after “this Act”.

Payson Band, Yavapai-Apache Indian Reservation

Pub. L. 92–470, Oct. 6, 1972, 86 Stat. 783, provided: “That (a) a suitable site (of not to exceed eighty-five acres) for a village for the Payson Community of Yavapai-Apache Indians shall be selected in the Tonto National Forest within Gila County, Arizona, by the leaders of the community, subject to approval by the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture. The site so selected is hereby declared to be held by the United States in trust as an Indian reservation for the use and benefit of the Payson Community of Yavapai-Apache Indians.

“(b) The Payson Community of Yavapai-Apache Indians shall be recognized as a tribe of Indians within the purview of the Act of June 18, 1934, as amended (25 U.S.C. 461–479, relating to the protection of Indians and conservation of resources), and shall be subject to all of the provisions thereof.”

Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation

Pub. L. 85–773, Aug. 27, 1958, 72 Stat. 931, provided: “That the land acquired by the United States pursuant to section 5 of the Act of June 18, 1934 (48 Stat. 984) [this section], title to which was conveyed to the United States of America in trust for the Chippewa, Cree, and other Indians of Montana, and thereafter added to the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation, Montana, by proclamation signed by the Assistant Secretary of the Interior on November 26, 1947, is hereby designated for the exclusive use of the members of the Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Reservation, Montana.”

Seminole Indian Reservation

Act July 20, 1956, ch. 645, 70 Stat. 581, provided: “That the equitable title to the lands and interests in lands together with the improvements thereon, acquired by the United States under authority of title II of the National Industrial Recovery Act, approved June 16, 1933 (48 Stat. 200), the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act of 1935, approved April 8, 1935 (49 Stat. 115), and section 55 of the Act entitled ‘An Act to amend the Agricultural Adjustment Act, and for other purposes’, approved August 24, 1935 (49 Stat. 750, 781), administrative jurisdiction over which was transferred from the Secretary of Agriculture to the Secretary of the Interior by Executive Order Numbered 7868, dated April 15, 1938, for the use of the Seminole Tribe, is hereby conveyed to the Seminole Tribe of Indians in the State of Florida, and such lands and interests are hereby declared to be held by the United States in trust for the Seminole Tribe of Indians in the State of Florida in the same manner and to the same extent as other land held in trust for such tribe.

Sec. 2. The lands declared to be held in trust for the Seminole Tribe of Indians in the State of Florida under the first section of this Act and all lands which have been acquired by the United States for the Seminole Tribe of Indians in the State of Florida under authority of the Act entitled ‘An Act to conserve and develop Indian lands and resources; to extend to Indians the right to form business and other organizations; to establish a credit system for Indians; to grant certain rights of home rule to Indians; to provide for vocational education for Indians; and for other purposes’ approved June 18, 1934 (48 Stat. 984) [sections 461, 462, 463, 464, 465, 466 to 470, 471, 472, 473, 474, 475, 476 to 478 and 479 of this title], are hereby declared to be a reservation for the use and benefit of such Seminole Tribe in Florida.

Sec. 3. Nothing in this Act shall deprive any Indian of any individual right, ownership, right of possession, or contract right he may have in any land or interest in land referred to in this Act.”

§465a. Receipt and purchase in trust by United States of land for Klamath Tribe Indians

The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to receive on behalf of the United States from individual members of the Klamath Tribe of Indians voluntarily executed deeds to such lands as said Indians may own in fee simple free from all encumbrances, said lands to be held in trust by the United States for said Indians and their heirs; and, whenever restricted funds are used for the purchase of lands for individual members of the Klamath Tribe of Indians, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized, in his discretion, to take title to said lands in the United States, the same to be held in trust for said individual Indians: Provided, however, That while any of the foregoing lands are held in trust by the United States for said Indians, the same shall be subject to the same restrictions, immunities, and exemptions as homesteads purchased out of trust or restricted funds of individual Indians pursuant to section 412a of this title, except the restrictions, immunities, or exemptions of the second proviso of said section.

(Feb. 24, 1942, ch. 113, §1, 56 Stat. 121.)

§465b. “Klamath Tribe of Indians” defined

As used in this section and section 465a of this title the term “Klamath Tribe of Indians” includes the Klamath and Modoc Tribes, and the Yahooskin Band of Snake Indians.

(Feb. 24, 1942, ch. 113, §2, 56 Stat. 121.)

§466. Indian forestry units; rules and regulations

The Secretary of the Interior is directed to make rules and regulations for the operation and management of Indian forestry units on the principle of sustained-yield management, to restrict the number of livestock grazed on Indian range units to the estimated carrying capacity of such ranges, and to promulgate such other rules and regulations as may be necessary to protect the range from deterioration, to prevent soil erosion, to assure full utilization of the range, and like purposes.

(June 18, 1934, ch. 576, §6, 48 Stat. 986.)

§467. New Indian reservations

The Secretary of the Interior is hereby authorized to proclaim new Indian reservations on lands acquired pursuant to any authority conferred by this Act, or to add such lands to existing reservations: Provided, That lands added to existing reservations shall be designated for the exclusive use of Indians entitled by enrollment or by tribal membership to residence at such reservations.

(June 18, 1934, ch. 576, §7, 48 Stat. 986.)

References in Text

This Act, referred to in text, is act June 18, 1934, which is classified generally to this subchapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 461 of this title and Tables.

§468. Allotments or holdings outside of reservations

Nothing contained in this Act shall be construed to relate to Indian holdings of allotments or homesteads upon the public domain outside of the geographic boundaries of any Indian reservation now existing or established hereafter.

(June 18, 1934, ch. 576, §8, 48 Stat. 986.)

References in Text

This Act, referred to in text, is act June 18, 1934, which is classified generally to this subchapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 461 of this title and Tables.

§469. Indian corporations; appropriation for organizing

There is authorized to be appropriated, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such sums as may be necessary, but not to exceed $250,000 in any fiscal year, to be expended at the order of the Secretary of the Interior, in defraying the expenses of organizing Indian chartered corporations or other organizations created under this Act.

(June 18, 1934, ch. 576, §9, 48 Stat. 986.)

References in Text

This Act, referred to in text, is act June 18, 1934, which is classified generally to this subchapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 461 of this title and Tables.

§470. Revolving fund; appropriation for loans

There is authorized to be appropriated, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of $20,000,000 to be established as a revolving fund from which the Secretary of the Interior, under such rules and regulations as he may prescribe, may make loans to Indian chartered corporations for the purpose of promoting the economic development of such tribes and of their members, and may defray the expenses of administering such loans. Repayment of amounts loaned under this authorization shall be credited to the revolving fund and shall be available for the purposes for which the fund is established.

(June 18, 1934, ch. 576, §10, 48 Stat. 986; Pub. L. 86–533, §1(16), June 29, 1960, 74 Stat. 248; Pub. L. 87–250, Sept. 15, 1961, 75 Stat. 520.)

Amendments

1961—Pub. L. 87–250 substituted “$20,000,000” for “$10,000,000”.

1960—Pub. L. 86–533 repealed provisions which required a report to be made annually to the Congress of transactions under the authorization.

Revolving Fund: Interest-Free Loans to Klamath Indians; Refinancing Lending Agency Loans

Use of Revolving Loan Fund for Indians to assist Klamath Indians during period for terminating Federal supervision, see note set out under section 564 of this title. Funds to be administered as a single Indian Revolving Loan Fund after Apr. 12, 1974, see section 1461 of this title.

§470a. Interest charges covered into revolving fund

Interest or other charges heretofore or hereafter collected on loans shall be credited to the revolving fund created by section 470 of this title and shall be available for the establishment of a revolving fund for the purpose of making and administering loans to Indian-chartered corporations in accordance with the Act of June 18, 1934 (48 Stat. 986) [25 U.S.C. 461 et seq.], and of making and administering loans to individual Indians and to associations or corporate groups of Indians of Oklahoma in accordance with the Act of June 26, 1936 (49 Stat. 1967) [25 U.S.C. 501 et seq.].

(June 28, 1941, ch. 259, §1, 55 Stat. 316.)

References in Text

Act of June 18, 1934, referred to in text, popularly known as the Indian Reorganization Act, is classified generally to this subchapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 461 of this title and Tables.

Act of June 26, 1936, referred to in text, popularly known as the Oklahoma Welfare Act, is classified generally to subchapter VIII (§501 et seq.) of this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 501 of this title and Tables.

§471. Vocational and trade schools; appropriation for tuition

There is authorized to be appropriated, out of any funds in the United States Treasury not otherwise appropriated, a sum not to exceed $250,000 annually, together with any unexpended balances of previous appropriations made pursuant to this section, for loans to Indians for the payment of tuition and other expenses in recognized vocational and trade schools: Provided, That not more than $50,000 of such sum shall be available for loans to Indian students in high schools and colleges. Such loans shall be reimbursable under rules established by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.

(June 18, 1934, ch. 576, §11, 48 Stat. 986.)

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174, 64 Stat. 1262, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

§472. Standards for Indians appointed to Indian Office

The Secretary of the Interior is directed to establish standards of health, age, character, experience, knowledge, and ability for Indians who may be appointed, without regard to civil-service laws, to the various positions maintained, now or hereafter, by the Indian Office, in the administration of functions or services affecting any Indian tribe. Such qualified Indians shall hereafter have the preference to appointment to vacancies in any such positions.

(June 18, 1934, ch. 576, §12, 48 Stat. 986.)

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174, 64 Stat. 1262, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Conversion to Career Appointment

Status of Indian appointed to Federal service under excepted appointment to be converted to career appointment in competitive service after three years of continuous service and satisfactory performance, see section 450i(m) of this title.

§472a. Indian preference laws applicable to Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service positions

(a) Establishment of retention categories for purposes of reduction-in-force procedures

For purposes of applying reduction-in-force procedures under subsection (a) of section 3502 of title 5 with respect to positions within the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service, the competitive and excepted service retention registers shall be combined, and any employee entitled to Indian preference who is within a retention category established under regulations prescribed under such subsection to provide due effect to military preference shall be entitled to be retained in preference to other employees not entitled to Indian preference who are within such retention category.

(b) Reassignment of employees other than to positions in higher grades; authority to make determinations respecting

(1) The Indian preference laws shall not apply in the case of any reassignment within the Bureau of Indian Affairs or within the Indian Health Service (other than to a position in a higher grade) of an employee not entitled to Indian preference if it is determined that under the circumstances such reassignment is necessary—

(A) to assure the health or safety of the employee or of any member of the employee's household;

(B) in the course of a reduction in force; or

(C) because the employee's working relationship with a tribe has so deteriorated that the employee cannot provide effective service for such tribe or the Federal Government.


(2) The authority to make any determination under subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (1) is vested in the Secretary of the Interior with respect to the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Secretary of Health and Human Services with respect to the Indian Health Service, and, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary involved may not delegate such authority to any individual other than a Deputy Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the respective department.

(c) Waiver of applicability in personnel actions; scope, procedures, etc.

(1) Notwithstanding any provision of the Indian preference laws, such laws shall not apply in the case of any personnel action respecting an applicant or employee not entitled to Indian preference if each tribal organization concerned grants, in writing, a waiver of the application of such laws with respect to such personnel action.

(2) The provisions of section 8336(j) of title 5 shall not apply to any individual who has accepted a waiver with respect to a personnel action pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection or to section 2011(f) 1 of this title.

(d) Placement of non-Indian employees in other Federal positions; assistance of Office of Personnel Management; cooperation of other Federal agencies

The Office of Personnel Management shall provide all appropriate assistance to the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service in placing non-Indian employees of such agencies in other Federal positions. All other Federal agencies shall cooperate to the fullest extent possible in such placement efforts.

(e) Definitions

For purposes of this section—

(1) The term “tribal organization” means—

(A) the recognized governing body of any Indian tribe, band, nation, pueblo, or other organized community, including a Native village (as defined in section 1602(c) of title 43); or

(B) in connection with any personnel action referred to in subsection (c)(1) of this section, any legally established organization of Indians which is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by a governing body referred to in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph and which has been delegated by such governing body the authority to grant a waiver under such subsection with respect to such personnel action.


(2) The term “Indian preference laws” means section 472 of this title or any other provision of law granting a preference to Indians in promotions and other personnel actions.

(3) The term “Bureau of Indian Affairs” means (A) the Bureau of Indian Affairs and (B) all other organizational units in the Department of the Interior directly and primarily related to providing services to Indians and in which positions are filled in accordance with the Indian preference laws.

(Pub. L. 96–135, §2, Dec. 5, 1979, 93 Stat. 1057; Pub. L. 96–88, title V, §509(b), Oct. 17, 1979, 93 Stat. 695; Pub. L. 100–581, title II, §205, Nov. 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 2940; Pub. L. 101–509, title V, §529 [title I, §112(c)], Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1427, 1454; Pub. L. 105–362, title VIII, §801(e), title XIII, §1302(d), Nov. 10, 1998, 112 Stat. 3288, 3294.)

References in Text

Section 2011(f) of this title, referred to in subsec. (c)(2), was in the original a reference to section 1131 of the Education Amendments of 1978, Pub. L. 95–561. Section 1131 of Pub. L. 95–561 was omitted in the general amendment of chapter 22 (§2001 et seq.) of this title by Pub. L. 103–382, title III, §381, Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 3979. Pub. L. 103–382 enacted a new section 1131 of Pub. L. 95–561, relating to policy for Indian control of Indian education, which is classified to section 2011 of this title. Provisions relating to waivers of education personnel actions are now contained in section 2012(f) of this title.

Amendments

1998—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 105–362, §801(e)(3), struck out par. (1) designation and struck out par. (2) which read as follows: “The Secretaries of the Interior and Health and Human Services, and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall each submit a report to Congress following the close of each fiscal year with respect to the actions which they took in such fiscal year to place non-Indian employees of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service in other Federal positions.”

Pub. L. 105–362, §801(e)(1), (2), redesignated subsec. (e) as (d) and struck out former subsec. (d) which read as follows: “The Secretaries of the Interior and Health and Human Services shall each submit to the Congress a report following the close of each fiscal year with respect to the actions which they took in such fiscal year to recruit and train Indians to qualify such Indians for positions which are subject to preference under the Indian preference laws. Such report shall also include information as to the grade levels and occupational classifications of Indian and non-Indian employees in the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service.”

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 105–362, §1302(d), which directed the amendment of subsec. (e) by striking out par. (1) designation after “(e)” and striking out par. (2), could not be executed because par. (1) designation did not immediately follow “(e)” subsequent to amendment by Pub. L. 105–362, §801(e)(2). See above.

Pub. L. 105–362, §801(e)(2), redesignated subsec. (f) as (e). Former subsec. (e) redesignated (d).

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 105–362, §801(e)(2), redesignated subsec. (f) as (e).

1990—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 101–509 substituted “a Deputy Secretary” for “an Under Secretary” before “or Assistant Secretary”.

1988—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 100–581 substituted “an applicant or employee” for “an employee”.

Change of Name

“Secretary of Health and Human Services” substituted for “Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare” in subsec. (b)(2) pursuant to section 509(b) of Pub. L. 96–88 which is classified to section 3508(b) of Title 20, Education.

Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 101–509 effective on first day of first pay period beginning on or after Nov. 5, 1990, with continued service by incumbent Under Secretary of the Interior, see section 529 [title I, §112(e)(1), (2)(B)] of Pub. L. 101–509, set out as a note under section 3404 of Title 20, Education.

1 See References in Text note below.

§473. Application generally

The provisions of this Act shall not apply to any of the Territories, colonies, or insular possessions of the United States, except that sections 9, 10, 11, 12, and 16 [25 U.S.C. 469, 470, 471, 472, 476] shall apply to the Territory of Alaska: Provided, That sections 4, 7, 16, 17, and 18 of this Act [25 U.S.C. 464, 467, 476, 477, 478] shall not apply to the following-named Indian tribes, the members of such Indian tribes, together with members of other tribes affiliated with such named tribes located in the State of Oklahoma, as follows: Cheyenne, Arapaho, Apache, Comanche, Kiowa, Caddo, Delaware, Wichita, Osage, Kaw, Otoe, Tonkawa, Pawnee, Ponca, Shawnee, Ottawa, Quapaw, Seneca, Wyandotte, Iowa, Sac and Fox, Kickapoo, Pottawatomi, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole. Section 4 of this Act [25 U.S.C. 464] shall not apply to the Indians of the Klamath Reservation in Oregon.

(June 18, 1934, ch. 576, §13, 48 Stat. 986; Pub. L. 101–301, §3(b), May 24, 1990, 104 Stat. 207.)

References in Text

This Act, referred to in text, is act June 18, 1934, which is classified generally to this subchapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 461 of this title and Tables.

Amendments

1990—Pub. L. 101–301 substituted “sections 4,” for “sections 2, 4,” in proviso.

Admission of Alaska as State

Admission of Alaska into the Union was accomplished Jan. 3, 1959, on issuance of Proc. No. 3269, Jan. 3, 1959, 24 F.R. 81, 73 Stat. c16, as required by sections 1 and 8(c) of Pub. L. 85–508, July 7, 1958, 72 Stat. 339, set out as notes preceding section 21 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.

§473a. Application to Alaska

Sections 461, 465, 467, 468, 475, 477, and 479 of this title shall after May 1, 1936, apply to the Territory of Alaska: Provided, That groups of Indians in Alaska not recognized prior to May 1, 1936, as bands or tribes, but having a common bond of occupation, or association, or residence within a well-defined neighborhood, community, or rural district, may organize to adopt constitutions and bylaws and to receive charters of incorporation and Federal loans under sections 470, 476, and 477 of this title.

(May 1, 1936, ch. 254, §1, 49 Stat. 1250.)

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 362 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.

Admission of Alaska as State

Admission of Alaska into the Union was accomplished Jan. 3, 1959, on issuance of Proc. No. 3269, Jan. 3, 1959, 24 F.R. 81, 73 Stat. c16, as required by sections 1 and 8(c) of Pub. L. 85–508, July 7, 1958, 72 Stat. 339, set out as notes preceding section 21 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.

§474. Continuation of allowances

The Secretary of the Interior is directed to continue the allowance of the articles enumerated in section 17 of the Act of March 2, 1889 (23 Stat. L. 894), or their commuted cash value under the Act of June 10, 1896 (29 Stat. L. 334), to all Sioux Indians who would be eligible, but for the provisions of this Act, to receive allotments of lands in severalty under section 19 of the Act of May 29, 1908 (25 Stat. L. 451), or under any prior Act, and who have the prescribed status of the head of a family or single person over the age of eighteen years, and his approval shall be final and conclusive, claims therefor to be paid as formerly from the permanent appropriation made by said section 17 and carried on the books of the Treasury for this purpose. No person shall receive in his own right more than one allowance of the benefits, and application must be made and approved during the lifetime of the allottee or the right shall lapse. Such benefits shall continue to be paid upon such reservation until such such time as the lands available therein for allotment on June 18, 1934, would have been exhausted by the award to each person receiving such benefits of an allotment of eighty acres of such land.

(June 18, 1934, ch. 576, §14, 48 Stat. 987.)

References in Text

Section 17 of the Act of March 2, 1889, referred to in text, probably means section 17 of act Mar. 2, 1889, ch. 405, 25 Stat. 894, which contains a proviso that each head of family or single person over the age of eighteen years of the Sioux Nation of Indians, “who shall have or may hereafter take his or her allotment of land in severalty, shall be provided with two milch cows, one pair of oxen, with yoke and chain, or two mares and one set of harness in lieu of said oxen, yoke and chain, as the Secretary of the Interior may deem advisable, and they shall also receive one plow, one wagon, one harrow, one hoe, one axe, and one pitchfork, all suitable to the work they may have to do, and also fifty dollars in cash; to be expended under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior in aiding such Indians to erect a house and other buildings suitable for residence or the improvement of his allotment; no sales, barters or bargains shall be made by any person other than said Indians with each other, of any of the personal property hereinbefore provided for, and any violation of this provision shall be deemed a misdemeanor and punished by fine not exceeding one hundred dollars, or imprisonment not exceeding one year or both in the discretion of the court.”

Act of June 10, 1896, referred to in text, is act June 10, 1896, ch. 398, 29 Stat. 334, which contains a provision directing the Secretary of the Interior to ascertain the number of Sioux and Ponca Indians in South Dakota and Nebraska who would not be benefited by the fulfillment of the proviso quoted above from the act of March 2, 1889, and who desire to have the articles of personal property, therein mentioned converted into money, and in lieu of such articles of personal property, or any part thereof he may think proper, to convert or commute the same, or so much thereof as he may think proper, into money, and to pay the amount thereof to such Indians.

This Act, referred to in text, is act June 18, 1934, which is classified generally to this subchapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 461 of this title and Tables.

Section 19 of the Act of May 29, 1908, referred to in text, probably means section 19 of act May 29, 1908, ch. 216, 35 Stat. 451, which authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to cause allotments to be made under the provisions of act Mar. 2, 1889, ch. 405, 25 Stat. 888, to any living children of the Sioux tribe of Indians belonging on any of the Great Sioux reservations affected thereby and who had not prior to May 29, 1908, been allotted, so long as the tribe to which such Indian children belong is possessed of any unallotted tribal or reservation lands. The section further provides that where, for any reason, an Indian did not receive the quantity of land to which he was entitled under the provisions of said act March 2, 1889, the Secretary of the Interior shall cause to be allotted to him sufficient additional lands on the reservation to which he belongs to make, together with the quantity of land theretofore allotted to him, the acreage to which he is entitled under said act March 2, 1889; and in case of the death of any such Indian, the additional lands to which he is of right entitled may be allotted to his heirs: Provided, the tribe to which he belonged is possessed of any unallotted tribal or reservation lands.

Appropriations

Section 2 of act June 26, 1934, ch. 756, 48 Stat. 1225, which was classified to section 725a of former Title 31, Money and Finance, repealed the permanent appropriation under the title “Civilization of the Sioux (4x950)” effective July 1, 1935, and provided that such portions of any Acts as make permanent appropriations to be expended under such account are amended so as to authorize, in lieu thereof, annual appropriations from the general fund of the Treasury in identical terms and in such amounts as now provided by the laws providing such permanent appropriations.

§475. Claims or suits of Indian tribes against United States; rights unimpaired

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to impair or prejudice any claim or suit of any Indian tribe against the United States. It is declared to be the intent of Congress that no expenditures for the benefit of Indians made out of appropriations authorized by said sections shall be considered as offsets in any suit brought to recover upon any claim of such Indians against the United States.

(June 18, 1934, ch. 576, §15, 48 Stat. 987.)

References in Text

This Act, referred to in text, is act June 18, 1934, which is classified generally to this subchapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 461 of this title and Tables.

§475a. Offsets of gratuities

In all suits now pending in the United States Court of Federal Claims by an Indian tribe or band which have not been tried or submitted, and in any suit hereafter filed in the United States Court of Federal Claims by any such tribe or band, the United States Court of Federal Claims is directed to consider and to offset against any amount found due the said tribe or band all sums expended gratuitously by the United States for the benefit of the said tribe or band; and in all cases now pending or hereafter filed in the United States Court of Federal Claims in which an Indian tribe or band is party plaintiff, wherein the duty of the court is merely to report its findings of fact and conclusions to Congress, the said United States Court of Federal Claims is directed to include in its report a statement of the amount of money which has been expended by the United States gratuitously for the benefit of the said tribe or band: Provided, That expenditures made prior to the date of the law, treaty, agreement, or Executive order under which the claims arise shall not be offset against the claims or claim asserted; and expenditures under the Act of June 18, 1934 (48 Stat. L. 984) [25 U.S.C. 461 et seq.], except expenditures under appropriations made pursuant to section 5 of such Act [25 U.S.C. 465], shall not be charged as offsets against any claim on behalf of an Indian tribe or tribes now pending in the United States Court of Federal Claims or hereafter filed: Provided further, That funds appropriated and expended from tribal funds shall not be construed as gratuities; and this section shall not be deemed to amend or affect the various Acts granting jurisdiction to the United States Court of Federal Claims to hear and determine the claims listed on page 678 of the hearings before the subcommittee of the House Committee on Appropriations on the second deficiency appropriation bill for the fiscal year 1935: And provided further, That no expenditure under any emergency appropriation or allotment made subsequently to March 4, 1933, and generally applicable throughout the United States for relief in stricken agricultural areas, relief from distress caused by unemployment and conditions resulting therefrom, the prosecution of public works and public projects for the relief of unemployment or to increase employment, and for work relief (including the civil-works program) shall be considered in connection with the operation of this section.

(Aug. 12, 1935, ch. 508, §2, 49 Stat. 596; Pub. L. 97–164, title I, §160(a)(8), Apr. 2, 1982, 96 Stat. 48; Pub. L. 102–572, title IX, §902(b)(1), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4516.)

References in Text

Act of June 18, 1934, referred to in text, popularly known as the Indian Reorganization Act, is classified generally to this subchapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 461 of this title and Tables.

Amendments

1992—Pub. L. 102–572 substituted “United States Court of Federal Claims” for “United States Claims Court” wherever appearing.

1982—Pub. L. 97–164 substituted “United States Claims Court” for “Court of Claims” wherever appearing.

Effective Date of 1992 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 102–572 effective Oct. 29, 1992, see section 911 of Pub. L. 102–572, set out as a note under section 171 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.

Effective Date of 1982 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 97–164 effective Oct. 1, 1982, see section 402 of Pub. L. 97–164, set out as a note under section 171 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.

§476. Organization of Indian tribes; constitution and bylaws and amendment thereof; special election

(a) Adoption; effective date

Any Indian tribe shall have the right to organize for its common welfare, and may adopt an appropriate constitution and bylaws, and any amendments thereto, which shall become effective when—

(1) ratified by a majority vote of the adult members of the tribe or tribes at a special election authorized and called by the Secretary under such rules and regulations as the Secretary may prescribe; and

(2) approved by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (d) of this section.

(b) Revocation

Any constitution or bylaws ratified and approved by the Secretary shall be revocable by an election open to the same voters and conducted in the same manner as provided in subsection (a) of this section for the adoption of a constitution or bylaws.

(c) Election procedure; technical assistance; review of proposals; notification of contrary-to-applicable law findings

(1) The Secretary shall call and hold an election as required by subsection (a) of this section—

(A) within one hundred and eighty days after the receipt of a tribal request for an election to ratify a proposed constitution and bylaws, or to revoke such constitution and bylaws; or

(B) within ninety days after receipt of a tribal request for election to ratify an amendment to the constitution and bylaws.


(2) During the time periods established by paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—

(A) provide such technical advice and assistance as may be requested by the tribe or as the Secretary determines may be needed; and

(B) review the final draft of the constitution and bylaws, or amendments thereto to determine if any provision therein is contrary to applicable laws.


(3) After the review provided in paragraph (2) and at least thirty days prior to the calling of the election, the Secretary shall notify the tribe, in writing, whether and in what manner the Secretary has found the proposed constitution and bylaws or amendments thereto to be contrary to applicable laws.

(d) Approval or disapproval by Secretary; enforcement

(1) If an election called under subsection (a) of this section results in the adoption by the tribe of the proposed constitution and bylaws or amendments thereto, the Secretary shall approve the constitution and bylaws or amendments thereto within forty-five days after the election unless the Secretary finds that the proposed constitution and bylaws or any amendments are contrary to applicable laws.

(2) If the Secretary does not approve or disapprove the constitution and bylaws or amendments within the forty-five days, the Secretary's approval shall be considered as given. Actions to enforce the provisions of this section may be brought in the appropriate Federal district court.

(e) Vested rights and powers; advisement of presubmitted budget estimates

In addition to all powers vested in any Indian tribe or tribal council by existing law, the constitution adopted by said tribe shall also vest in such tribe or its tribal council the following rights and powers: To employ legal counsel; to prevent the sale, disposition, lease, or encumbrance of tribal lands, interests in lands, or other tribal assets without the consent of the tribe; and to negotiate with the Federal, State, and local governments. The Secretary shall advise such tribe or its tribal council of all appropriation estimates or Federal projects for the benefit of the tribe prior to the submission of such estimates to the Office of Management and Budget and the Congress.

(f) Privileges and immunities of Indian tribes; prohibition on new regulations

Departments or agencies of the United States shall not promulgate any regulation or make any decision or determination pursuant to the Act of June 18, 1934 (25 U.S.C. 461 et seq., 48 Stat. 984) as amended, or any other Act of Congress, with respect to a federally recognized Indian tribe that classifies, enhances, or diminishes the privileges and immunities available to the Indian tribe relative to other federally recognized tribes by virtue of their status as Indian tribes.

(g) Privileges and immunities of Indian tribes; existing regulations

Any regulation or administrative decision or determination of a department or agency of the United States that is in existence or effect on May 31, 1994, and that classifies, enhances, or diminishes the privileges and immunities available to a federally recognized Indian tribe relative to the privileges and immunities available to other federally recognized tribes by virtue of their status as Indian tribes shall have no force or effect.

(h) Tribal sovereignty

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act—

(1) each Indian tribe shall retain inherent sovereign power to adopt governing documents under procedures other than those specified in this section; and

(2) nothing in this Act invalidates any constitution or other governing document adopted by an Indian tribe after June 18, 1934, in accordance with the authority described in paragraph (1).

(June 18, 1934, ch. 576, §16, 48 Stat. 987; Pub. L. 100–581, title I, §101, Nov. 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 2938; Pub. L. 103–263, §5(b), May 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 709; Pub. L. 106–179, §3, Mar. 14, 2000, 114 Stat. 47; Pub. L. 108–204, title I, §103, Mar. 2, 2004, 118 Stat. 543.)

References in Text

Act of June 18, 1934, and this Act, referred to in subsecs. (f) and (h), is act of June 18, 1934, ch. 576, 48 Stat. 984, popularly known as the Indian Reorganization Act, which is classified generally to this subchapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 461 of this title and Tables.

Codification

May 31, 1994, referred to in subsec. (g), was in the original “the date of enactment of this Act”, which was translated as meaning the date of enactment of Pub. L. 103–263, which enacted subsec. (g) of this section, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Amendments

2004—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 108–204 added subsec. (h).

2000—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 106–179 struck out “, the choice of counsel and fixing of fees to be subject to the approval of the Secretary” after “To employ legal counsel”.

1994—Subsecs. (f), (g). Pub. L. 103–263 added subsecs. (f) and (g).

1988—Pub. L. 100–581 amended section generally, substituting subsecs. (a) to (e) for two former undesignated pars.

Definitions Applicable

Section 102 of title I of Pub. L. 100–581 provided that: “For the purpose of this Act [probably means title I of Pub. L. 100–581 which amended this section and enacted provisions set out below], the term—

“(1) ‘applicable laws’ means any treaty, Executive order or Act of Congress or any final decision of the Federal courts which are applicable to the tribe, and any other laws which are applicable to the tribe pursuant to an Act of Congress or by any final decision of the Federal courts;

“(2) ‘appropriate tribal request’ means receipt in the Area Office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs having administrative jurisdiction over the requesting tribe, of a duly enacted tribal resolution requesting a Secretarial election as well as a copy of the proposed tribal constitution and bylaws, amendment, or revocation action;

“(3) ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of the Interior.”

Amendment of Tribal Constitution and Bylaws

Section 103 of title I of Pub. L. 100–581 provided that: “Nothing in this Act [probably means title I of Pub. L. 100–581 which amended this section and enacted provisions set out above] is intended to amend, revoke, or affect any tribal constitution, bylaw, or amendment ratified and approved prior to this Act.”

§477. Incorporation of Indian tribes; charter; ratification by election

The Secretary of the Interior may, upon petition by any tribe, issue a charter of incorporation to such tribe: Provided, That such charter shall not become operative until ratified by the governing body of such tribe. Such charter may convey to the incorporated tribe the power to purchase, take by gift, or bequest, or otherwise, own, hold, manage, operate, and dispose of property of every description, real and personal, including the power to purchase restricted Indian lands and to issue in exchange therefor interests in corporate property, and such further powers as may be incidental to the conduct of corporate business, not inconsistent with law; but no authority shall be granted to sell, mortgage, or lease for a period exceeding twenty-five years any trust or restricted lands included in the limits of the reservation. Any charter so issued shall not be revoked or surrendered except by Act of Congress.

(June 18, 1934, ch. 576, §17, 48 Stat. 988; Pub. L. 101–301, §3(c), May 24, 1990, 104 Stat. 207.)

Amendments

1990—Pub. L. 101–301 substituted “by any tribe” for “by at least one-third of the adult Indians”, “by the governing body of such tribe” for “at a special election by a majority vote of the adult Indians living on the reservation”, and “twenty-five years any trust or restricted lands” for “ten years any of the land”.

§478. Acceptance optional

This Act shall not apply to any reservation wherein a majority of the adult Indians, voting at a special election duly called by the Secretary of the Interior, shall vote against its application. It shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Interior, within one year after June 18, 1934, to call such an election, which election shall be held by secret ballot upon thirty days’ notice.

(June 18, 1934, ch. 576, §18, 48 Stat. 988.)

References in Text

This Act, referred to in text, is act June 18, 1934, which is classified generally to this subchapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 461 of this title and Tables.

Extensions of Time

The time for holding an election under this section was extended to June 18, 1936, by act June 15, 1935, ch. 260, §2, 49 Stat. 378.

Act June 15, 1935, ch. 260, §3, 49 Stat. 378, provided that the periods of trust or the restrictions on alienation of Indian lands should be extended to Dec. 31, 1936, in case of a vote against the application of sections 461, 462, 463, 464, 465, 466 to 470, 471, 472, 473, 474, 475, 476 to 478, and 479 of this title.

§478–1. Mandatory application of sections 462 and 477

Notwithstanding section 478 of this title, sections 462 and 477 of this title shall apply to—

(1) all Indian tribes,

(2) all lands held in trust by the United States for Indians, and

(3) all lands owned by Indians that are subject to a restriction imposed by the United States on alienation of the rights of the Indians in the lands.

(Pub. L. 101–301, §3(a), May 24, 1990, 104 Stat. 207.)

§478a. Procedure

In any election heretofore or hereafter held under the Act of June 18, 1934 (48 Stat. 984) [25 U.S.C. 461 et seq.], on the question of excluding a reservation from the application of the said Act or on the question of adopting a constitution and bylaws or amendments thereto or on the question of ratifying a charter, the vote of a majority of those actually voting shall be necessary and sufficient to effectuate such exclusion, adoption, or ratification, as the case may be: Provided, however, That in each instance the total vote cast shall not be less than 30 per centum of those entitled to vote.

(June 15, 1935, ch. 260, §1, 49 Stat. 378.)

References in Text

Act of June 18, 1934, referred to in text, popularly known as the Indian Reorganization Act, is classified generally to this subchapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 461 of this title and Tables.

§478b. Application of laws and treaties

All laws, general and special, and all treaty provisions affecting any Indian reservation which has voted or may vote to exclude itself from the application of the Act of June 18, 1934 (48 Stat. 984) [25 U.S.C. 461 et seq.], shall be deemed to have been continuously effective as to such reservation, notwithstanding the passage of said Act of June 18, 1934. Nothing in the Act of June 18, 1934, shall be construed to abrogate or impair any rights guaranteed under any existing treaty with any Indian tribe, where such tribe voted not to exclude itself from the application of said Act.

(June 15, 1935, ch. 260, §4, 49 Stat. 378.)

References in Text

Act of June 18, 1934, referred to in text, popularly known as the Indian Reorganization Act, is classified generally to this subchapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 461 of this title and Tables.

§479. Definitions

The term “Indian” as used in this Act shall include all persons of Indian descent who are members of any recognized Indian tribe now under Federal jurisdiction, and all persons who are descendants of such members who were, on June 1, 1934, residing within the present boundaries of any Indian reservation, and shall further include all other persons of one-half or more Indian blood. For the purposes of this Act, Eskimos and other aboriginal peoples of Alaska shall be considered Indians. The term “tribe” wherever used in this Act shall be construed to refer to any Indian tribe, organized band, pueblo, or the Indians residing on one reservation. The words “adult Indians” wherever used in this Act shall be construed to refer to Indians who have attained the age of twenty-one years.

(June 18, 1934, ch. 576, §19, 48 Stat. 988.)

References in Text

This Act, referred to in text, is act June 18, 1934, which is classified generally to this subchapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 461 of this title and Tables.

Admission of Alaska as State

Admission of Alaska into the Union was accomplished Jan. 3, 1959, on issuance of Proc. No. 3269, Jan. 3, 1959, 24 F.R. 81, 73 Stat. c16, as required by sections 1 and 8(c) of Pub. L. 85–508, July 7, 1958, 72 Stat. 339, set out as notes preceding section 21 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.

§479a. Definitions

For the purposes of this title: 1

(1) The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Interior.

(2) The term “Indian tribe” means any Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges to exist as an Indian tribe.

(3) The term “list” means the list of recognized tribes published by the Secretary pursuant to section 479a–1 of this title.

(Pub. L. 103–454, title I, §102, Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4791.)

References in Text

This title, referred to in introductory provisions, is title I of Pub. L. 103–454, Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4791, which enacted this section, section 479a–1 of this title, and provisions set out as notes below. For complete classification of this title to the Code, see Short Title note below and Tables.

Short Title

Section 101 of title I of Pub. L. 103–454 provided that: “This title [enacting this section and section 479a–1 of this title and provisions set out below] may be cited as the ‘Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994’.”

Congressional Findings

Section 103 of Pub. L. 103–454 provided that: “The Congress finds that—

“(1) the Constitution, as interpreted by Federal case law, invests Congress with plenary authority over Indian Affairs;

“(2) ancillary to that authority, the United States has a trust responsibility to recognized Indian tribes, maintains a government-to-government relationship with those tribes, and recognizes the sovereignty of those tribes;

“(3) Indian tribes presently may be recognized by Act of Congress; by the administrative procedures set forth in part 83 of the Code of Federal Regulations denominated ‘Procedures for Establishing that an American Indian Group Exists as an Indian Tribe;’ or by a decision of a United States court;

“(4) a tribe which has been recognized in one of these manners may not be terminated except by an Act of Congress;

“(5) Congress has expressly repudiated the policy of terminating recognized Indian tribes, and has actively sought to restore recognition to tribes that previously have been terminated;

“(6) the Secretary of the Interior is charged with the responsibility of keeping a list of all federally recognized tribes;

“(7) the list published by the Secretary should be accurate, regularly updated, and regularly published, since it is used by the various departments and agencies of the United States to determine the eligibility of certain groups to receive services from the United States; and

“(8) the list of federally recognized tribes which the Secretary publishes should reflect all of the federally recognized Indian tribes in the United States which are eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.”

1 See References in Text note below.

§479a–1. Publication of list of recognized tribes

(a) Publication of list

The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a list of all Indian tribes which the Secretary recognizes to be eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.

(b) Frequency of publication

The list shall be published within 60 days of November 2, 1994, and annually on or before every January 30 thereafter.

(Pub. L. 103–454, title I, §104, Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4792.)

§480. Indians eligible for loans

On and after May 10, 1939, no individual of less than one-quarter degree of Indian blood shall be eligible for a loan from funds made available in accordance with the provisions of the Act of June 18, 1934 (48 Stat. 986) [25 U.S.C. 461 et seq.], and the Act of June 26, 1936 (49 Stat. 1967) [25 U.S.C. 501 et seq.].

(May 10, 1939, ch. 119, §1, 53 Stat. 698.)

References in Text

Act of June 18, 1934, referred to in text, popularly known as the Indian Reorganization Act, is classified generally to this subchapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 461 of this title and Tables.

Act of June 26, 1936, referred to in text, popularly known as the Oklahoma Welfare Act, is classified generally to subchapter VIII (§501 et seq.) of this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 501 of this title and Tables.

§481. Omitted

Codification

Section, act July 2, 1942, ch. 473, §1, 56 Stat. 513, which related to an allowance to Indians traveling away from home involved in tribal organization work, was from the Interior Department Appropriation Act, 1943, and was not repeated in subsequent appropriations acts.

§482. Revolving fund; loans; regulations

The Secretary of the Interior, or his designated representative, is authorized, under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, to make loans from the revolving fund established pursuant to the Acts of June 18, 1934 (48 Stat. 984) [25 U.S.C. 461 et seq.], and June 26, 1936 (49 Stat. 1967) [25 U.S.C. 501 et seq.], to tribes, bands, groups, and individual Indians, not otherwise eligible for loans under said Acts: Provided, That no portion of these funds shall be loaned to Indians of less than one-quarter Indian blood.

(May 7, 1948, ch. 266, 62 Stat. 211.)

References in Text

Act of June 18, 1934, referred to in text, popularly known as the Indian Reorganization Act, is classified generally to this subchapter. Provisions of the Act establishing the revolving fund are set out in section 470 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 461 of this title and Tables.

Act of June 26, 1936, referred to in text, popularly known as the Oklahoma Welfare Act, is classified generally to subchapter VIII (§501 et seq.) of this chapter. Provisions of the Act relating to the revolving fund appear in section 506 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 501 of this title and Tables.

Funds in the revolving fund authorized by these Acts, and certain other sums, to be administered after Apr. 12, 1974, as a single Indian Revolving Loan Fund, see section 1461 of this title.

§483. Sale of land by individual Indian owners

The Secretary of the Interior, or his duly authorized representative, is authorized in his discretion, and upon application of the Indian owners, to issue patents in fee, to remove restrictions against alienation, and to approve conveyances, with respect to lands or interests in lands held by individual Indians under the provisions of the Act of June 18, 1934 (48 Stat. 984) [25 U.S.C. 461 et seq.], or the Act of June 26, 1936 (49 Stat. 1967) [25 U.S.C. 501 et seq.].

(May 14, 1948, ch. 293, 62 Stat. 236.)

References in Text

Act of June 18, 1934, referred to in text, popularly known as the Indian Reorganization Act, is classified generally to this subchapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 461 of this title and Tables.

Act of June 26, 1936, referred to in text, popularly known as the Oklahoma Welfare Act, is classified generally to subchapter VIII (§501 et seq.) of this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 501 of this title and Tables.

§483a. Mortgages and deeds of trust by individual Indian owners; removal from trust or restricted status; application to Secretary

(a) The individual Indian owners of any land which either is held by the United States in trust for them or is subject to a restriction against alienation imposed by the United States are authorized, subject to approval by the Secretary of the Interior, to execute a mortgage or deed of trust to such land. Such land shall be subject to foreclosure or sale pursuant to the terms of such mortgage or deed of trust in accordance with the laws of the tribe which has jurisdiction over such land or, in the case where no tribal foreclosure law exists, in accordance with the laws of the State or Territory in which the land is located. For the purpose of any foreclosure or sale proceeding the Indian owners shall be regarded as vested with an unrestricted fee simple title to the land, the United States shall not be a necessary party to the proceeding, and any conveyance of the land pursuant to the proceeding shall divest the United States of title to the land. All mortgages and deeds of trust to such land heretofore approved by the Secretary of the Interior are ratified and confirmed.

(b) In the event such land is acquired by an Indian or an Indian tribe, such land shall not be removed from trust or restricted status except upon application to the Secretary under existing law.

(Mar. 29, 1956, ch. 107, 70 Stat. 62; Pub. L. 98–608, §2, Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 3173; Pub. L. 101–644, title III, §301(c), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4667.)

Amendments

1990—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 101–644 inserted “tribe which has jurisdiction over such land or, in the case where no tribal foreclosure law exists, in accordance with the laws of the” before “State” in second sentence.

1984—Pub. L. 98–608 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and added subsec. (b).

§484. Conversion of exchange assignments of tribal lands on certain Sioux reservations into trust titles; trust and tax exemption

From and after July 14, 1954, each grant of exchange assignment of tribal lands on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation and the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation shall have the same force and effect, and shall confer the same rights, including all timber, mineral, and water rights now vested in or held by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe or the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, upon the holder or holders thereof, that are conveyed by a trust patent issued pursuant to section 348 of this title, as supplemented, except that the period of trust and tax exemption shall continue until otherwise directed by Congress.

(July 14, 1954, ch. 472, §1, 68 Stat. 467.)

§485. Payment to assignment holders of moneys collected for use of subsurface rights

The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe are authorized to pay to each holder of an exchange assignment of tribal lands all moneys collected by the tribe for the lease or use of subsurface rights in such lands.

(July 14, 1954, ch. 472, §2, 68 Stat. 468.)

§486. Regulations

The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of sections 484 to 486 of this title.

(July 14, 1954, ch. 472, §3, 68 Stat. 468.)

§487. Spokane Indian Reservation; consolidations of land

(a) Purchase, sale, and exchange

For the purpose of effecting consolidations of land situated within the Spokane Indian Reservation in the State of Washington into the ownership of the tribe and of individual tribal members and for the purpose of attaining and preserving an economic land base for Indian use, alleviating problems of Indian heirship and assisting in the productive leasing, disposition, and other use of tribal lands, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized in his discretion to:

(1) Purchase for the Spokane Tribe of Indians with any funds of such tribe and to otherwise acquire by gift, exchange, or relinquishment any lands or interest in lands or improvements thereon within the Spokane Indian Reservation.

(2) Sell or approve sales of any tribal trust lands, any interest therein or improvements thereon.

(3) Exchange any tribal trust lands, including interests therein or improvements thereon, for any lands situated within such reservation.

(b) Individual Indian trust lands

The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to sell and exchange individual Indian trust lands held in multiple ownership to the Spokane Tribe or to individual members thereof if the sale or exchange is authorized in writing by owners of at least a majority interest in such lands; except that no greater percentage of approval of individual Indians shall be required under this Act than in any other statute of general application approved by Congress.

(c) Nontaxability

Title to lands, or any interests therein, acquired pursuant to this Act for the Spokane Tribe or individual enrolled members thereof, shall be taken in the name of the United States of America in trust for the tribe or individual Indian, and shall be nontaxable as other tribal and allotted Indian trust lands of the Spokane Reservation.

(d) Lands held by mortgage or deed of trust

That any tribal land that may be sold pursuant to this Act may, with the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, be encumbered by a mortgage or deed of trust and shall be subject to foreclosure or sale pursuant to the terms of such a mortgage or deed of trust in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington. The United States shall be an indispensable party to any such proceeding with the right of removal of the clause to the United States district court for the district in which the land is located, following the procedure in section 1446 of title 28: Provided, That the United States shall have the right to appeal from any order of remand in the case.

(e) Acquisition and sale procedures; land purchase and consolidation program

The acquisition and sale of lands for the Spokane Tribe pursuant to this Act shall be upon request of the business council of the Spokane Tribe, evidenced by a resolution adopted in accordance with the constitution and bylaws of the tribe, and shall be in accordance with a land purchase and consolidation plan approved by the Secretary of the Interior, and except as it may otherwise be authorized or prescribed by the Secretary, shall be limited to lands situated within the boundary of the Spokane Reservation. Such acquisition by the Spokane Tribe, or individual members thereof, may be achieved by exchange of lands with Indians or non-Indians as well as outright purchase, with adjusting payments to approximate equal value. Moneys or credits received by the tribe in the sale of lands shall be used for the purchase of other lands, or for such other purpose as may be consistent with the land purchase and consolidation program, approved by the Secretary of the Interior.

(Pub. L. 90–335, §1(a)–(e), June 10, 1968, 82 Stat. 174; Pub. L. 93–286, May 21, 1974, 88 Stat. 142.)

References in Text

This Act, referred to in subsecs. (c), (d), and (e), is Pub. L. 90–335, June 10, 1968, 82 Stat. 174, as amended, which enacted this section and amended section 415 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

Codification

Section is comprised of subsecs. (a) to (e) of section 1 of Pub. L. 90–335. Subsec. (f) of section 1 of Pub. L. 90–335 amended section 415 of this title.

Amendments

1974—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 93–286 substituted “for the Spokane Tribe or individual” for “by the Spokane Tribe or individual”, and struck out proviso that the value on nontrust lands, or nontrust interests in land, acquired under this section by the Spokane Tribe during any twelve-month period shall not exceed the value of lands, or interests in land, that passed in any manner from a nontaxable trust status to a taxable fee status within the boundaries of the Spokane Reservation in Stevens County, Washington, during the twelve-month period preceding acquisition by the tribe.

§488. Loans to purchasers of highly fractioned land

(a) In general

The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to make loans from the Farmers Home Administration Direct Loan Account created by section 1988(c) 1 of title 7, and to make and insure loans as provided in sections 1928 1 and 1929 of title 7, to any Indian tribe recognized by the Secretary of the Interior or tribal corporation established pursuant to the Indian Reorganization Act (25 U.S.C. 477), which does not have adequate uncommitted funds, to acquire lands or interests therein within the tribe's reservation as determined by the Secretary of the Interior, or within a community in Alaska incorporated by the Secretary pursuant to the Indian Reorganization Act [25 U.S.C. 461 et seq.], for use of the tribe or the corporation or the members of either. Such loans shall be limited to such Indian tribes or tribal corporations as have reasonable prospects of success in their proposed operations and as are unable to obtain sufficient credit elsewhere at reasonable rates and terms to finance the purposes authorized in sections 488 to 494 of this title.

(b) Highly fractionated land

(1) In general

Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary of Agriculture may make and insure loans in accordance with section 1929 of title 7 to eligible purchasers of highly fractionated land pursuant to section 2204(c) of this title.

(2) Exclusion

Section 491 of this title shall not apply to trust land, restricted tribal land, or tribal corporation land that is mortgaged in accordance with paragraph (1).

(Pub. L. 91–229, §1, Apr. 11, 1970, 84 Stat. 120; Pub. L. 110–234, title V, §5501, May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1161; Pub. L. 110–246, §4(a), title V, §5501, June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1922.)

References in Text

Section 1988(c) of title 7, referred to in subsec. (a), was repealed by Pub. L. 104–127, title VII, §749(a)(1), Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1129.

Section 1928 of title 7, referred to in subsec. (a), was amended generally by Pub. L. 104–127, title VI, §605, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1086, and, as so amended, no longer contains provisions relating to insurance of loans.

Tribal corporation established by the Indian Reorganization Act (25 U.S.C. 477), referred to in subsec. (a), means a tribal corporation established under act June 18, 1934, ch. 576, §17, 48 Stat. 988, which is classified to section 477 of this title.

The Indian Reorganization Act, referred to in subsec. (a), is act June 18, 1934, ch. 576, 48 Stat. 984, which is classified generally to this subchapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 461 of this title and Tables.

Codification

Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 made identical amendments to this section. The amendments by Pub. L. 110–234 were repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.

Amendments

2008—Pub. L. 110–246, §5501, inserted section catchline, designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted heading, and added subsec. (b).

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Amendment of this section and repeal of Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as an Effective Date note under section 8701 of Title 7, Agriculture.

1 See References in Text note below.

§489. Title in trust to United States

Title to land acquired by a tribe or tribal corporation with a loan made or insured pursuant to sections 488 to 494 of this title may, with the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, be taken by the United States in trust for the tribe or tribal corporation.

(Pub. L. 91–229, §2, Apr. 11, 1970, 84 Stat. 120.)

§490. Tribal rights and privileges in connection with loans

A tribe or tribal corporation to which a loan is made or insured pursuant to sections 488 to 494 of this title (1) may waive in writing any immunity from suit or liability which it may possess, (2) may mortgage or otherwise hypothecate trust or restricted property if (a) authorized by its constitution or charter or by a tribal referendum, and (b) approved by the Secretary of the Interior, and (3) shall comply with rules and regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Agriculture in connection with such loans.

(Pub. L. 91–229, §3, Apr. 11, 1970, 84 Stat. 120.)

§491. Mortgaged property governed by State law

Trust or restricted tribal or tribal corporation property mortgaged pursuant to sections 488 to 494 of this title shall be subject to foreclosure and sale or conveyance in lieu of foreclosure, free of such trust or restrictions, in accordance with the laws of the State in which the property is located.

(Pub. L. 91–229, §4, Apr. 11, 1970, 84 Stat. 120.)

§492. Interest rates and taxes

Loans made or insured pursuant to sections 488 to 494 of this title will be subject to the interest rate provisions of section 307(a)(3)(B) of the Consolidated Farmers Home Administration Act of 1961, as amended [7 U.S.C. 1927(a)(3)(B)], and to the provisions of subtitle D of that Act [7 U.S.C. 1981 et seq.] except sections 340 [7 U.S.C. 1990], 341, 342 [7 U.S.C. 1013a], and 343 [7 U.S.C. 1991] thereof: Provided, That section 334 [7 U.S.C. 1984] thereof shall not be construed to subject to taxation any lands or interests therein while they are held by an Indian tribe or tribal corporation or by the United States in trust for such tribe or tribal corporation pursuant to sections 488 to 494 of this title.

(Pub. L. 91–229, §5, Apr. 11, 1970, 84 Stat. 120; Pub. L. 101–624, title XVIII, §1854(a), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3837.)

References in Text

The Consolidated Farmers Home Administration Act of 1961, referred to in text, is now the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (Pub. L. 87–128, title III, Aug. 8, 1961, 75 Stat. 307, as amended). Subtitle D of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act is classified principally to subchapter IV (§1981 et seq.) of chapter 50 of Title 7, Agriculture. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1921 of Title 7 and Tables.

Section 341 of that Act is set out as a note under section 1921 of Title 7.

Amendments

1990—Pub. L. 101–624 substituted “section 307(a)(3)(B)” for “section 307(a)”.

§493. Reduction of unpaid principal

(a) In general

The Secretary of Agriculture may, on the application of the borrower of a loan or loans made under sections 488 to 494 of this title, reduce the unpaid principal balance of such loan or loans to the current fair market value of the land purchased with the proceeds of the loan or loans if—

(1) the fair market value of the land has declined by at least 25 percent since such land was purchased by the borrower;

(2) the land has been held by the borrower for a period of at least 5 years; and

(3) the Secretary of the Interior finds that the borrower has insufficient income to both repay the loan or loans and provide normal tribal governmental services.

(b) Fair market value

(1) Appraisal

Current fair market value under subsection (a) of this section shall be determined through an appraisal by an independent qualified fee appraiser, selected by mutual agreement between the borrower and the Secretary of Agriculture.

(2) Costs

The cost of appraisals undertaken under paragraph (1) shall be paid by the borrower.

(c) Appeals

Decisions of the Secretary of Agriculture under this section shall be appealable in accordance with the provisions of section 333B 1 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1983b).

(d) Future applications

A borrower that had a loan or loans reduced under this section shall not submit an application for another reduction on such loan or loans for a period of 5 years after the initial reduction.

(Pub. L. 91–229, §6, as added Pub. L. 101–82, title III, §303, Aug. 14, 1989, 103 Stat. 583.)

References in Text

Section 333B of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1983b), referred to in subsec. (c), was repealed by Pub. L. 103–354, title II, §281(c), Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3233.

Codification

Another section 6 of Pub. L. 91–229 was added by Pub. L. 101–624, title XVIII, §1854(b), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3837, and is classified to section 494 of this title.

1 See References in Text note below.

§494. Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out sections 488 to 494 of this title $8,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1991 through 1995.

(Pub. L. 91–229, §6, as added Pub. L. 101–624, title XVIII, §1854(b), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3837.)

Codification

Another section 6 of Pub. L. 91–229 was added by Pub. L. 101–82, title III, §303, Aug. 14, 1989, 103 Stat. 583, and is classified to section 493 of this title.

§494a. Certification of rental proceeds

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any actual rental proceeds from the lease of land acquired under section 488 of this title certified by the Secretary of the Interior shall be deemed—

(1) to constitute the rental value of that land; and

(2) to satisfy the requirement for appraisal of that land.

(Pub. L. 109–221, title II, §203, May 12, 2006, 120 Stat. 341.)