CHAPTER 3—AGREEMENTS WITH INDIANS

SUBCHAPTER I—TREATIES

        

SUBCHAPTER II—CONTRACTS WITH INDIANS

        

SUBCHAPTER I—TREATIES

§71. Future treaties with Indian tribes

No Indian nation or tribe within the territory of the United States shall be acknowledged or recognized as an independent nation, tribe, or power with whom the United States may contract by treaty; but no obligation of any treaty lawfully made and ratified with any such Indian nation or tribe prior to March 3, 1871, shall be hereby invalidated or impaired. Such treaties, and any Executive orders and Acts of Congress under which the rights of any Indian tribe to fish are secured, shall be construed to prohibit (in addition to any other prohibition) the imposition under any law of a State or political subdivision thereof of any tax on any income derived from the exercise of rights to fish secured by such treaty, Executive order, or Act of Congress if section 7873 of title 26 does not permit a like Federal tax to be imposed on such income.

(R.S. §2079; Pub. L. 100–647, title III, §3042, Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3641.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

R.S. §2079 derived from act Mar. 3, 1871, ch. 120, §1, 16 Stat. 566.

Amendments

1988—Pub. L. 100–647 inserted sentence at end relating to State tax treatment of income derived by Indians from exercise of fishing rights secured by treaties, Executive orders, or Acts of Congress.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 100–647 applicable to all periods beginning before, on, or after Nov. 10, 1988, with no inference created as to existence or nonexistence or scope of any income tax exemption derived from fishing rights secured as of Mar. 17, 1988, by any treaty, law, or Executive order, see section 3044 of Pub. L. 100–647, set out as an Effective Date note under section 7873 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

Short Title of 2022 Amendment

Pub. L. 117–317, §1, Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4419, provided that: "This Act [repealing sections 72, 127 to 130, 137, 138, 273, 283, 285, and 302 of this title] may be cited as the 'Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes Act' or the 'RESPECT Act'."

Short Title of 2000 Amendment

Pub. L. 106–179, §1, Mar. 14, 2000, 114 Stat. 46, provided that: "This Act [amending sections 81 and 476 of this title] may be cited as the 'Indian Tribal Economic Development and Contract Encouragement Act of 2000'."

§72. Repealed. Pub. L. 117–317, §2(1), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4419

Section, R.S. §2080, related to abrogation of treaties with Indian tribes having tribal organizations in actual hostility to the United States.

SUBCHAPTER II—CONTRACTS WITH INDIANS

§81. Contracts and agreements with Indian tribes

(a) Definitions

In this section:

(1) The term "Indian lands" means lands the title to which is held by the United States in trust for an Indian tribe or lands the title to which is held by an Indian tribe subject to a restriction by the United States against alienation.

(2) The term "Indian tribe" has the meaning given that term in section 5304(e) of this title.

(3) The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior.

(b) Approval

No agreement or contract with an Indian tribe that encumbers Indian lands for a period of 7 or more years shall be valid unless that agreement or contract bears the approval of the Secretary of the Interior or a designee of the Secretary.

(c) Exception

Subsection (b) shall not apply to any agreement or contract that the Secretary (or a designee of the Secretary) determines is not covered under that subsection.

(d) Unapproved agreements

The Secretary (or a designee of the Secretary) shall refuse to approve an agreement or contract that is covered under subsection (b) if the Secretary (or a designee of the Secretary) determines that the agreement or contract—

(1) violates Federal law; or

(2) does not include a provision that—

(A) provides for remedies in the case of a breach of the agreement or contract;

(B) references a tribal code, ordinance, or ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction that discloses the right of the Indian tribe to assert sovereign immunity as a defense in an action brought against the Indian tribe; or

(C) includes an express waiver of the right of the Indian tribe to assert sovereign immunity as a defense in an action brought against the Indian tribe (including a waiver that limits the nature of relief that may be provided or the jurisdiction of a court with respect to such an action).

(e) Regulations

Not later than 180 days after March 14, 2000, the Secretary shall issue regulations for identifying types of agreements or contracts that are not covered under subsection (b).

(f) Construction

Nothing in this section shall be construed to—

(1) require the Secretary to approve a contract for legal services by an attorney;

(2) amend or repeal the authority of the National Indian Gaming Commission under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.); or

(3) alter or amend any ordinance, resolution, or charter of an Indian tribe that requires approval by the Secretary of any action by that Indian tribe.

(R.S. §2103; Pub. L. 85–770, Aug. 27, 1958, 72 Stat. 927; Pub. L. 106–179, §2, Mar. 14, 2000, 114 Stat. 46.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, referred to in subsec. (f)(2), is Pub. L. 100–497, Oct. 17, 1988, 102 Stat. 2467, which is classified principally to chapter 29 (§2701 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 2701 of this title and Tables.

Codification

R.S. §2103 derived from acts Mar. 3, 1871, ch. 120, §3, 16 Stat. 570; May 21, 1872, ch. 177, §§1, 2, 17 Stat. 136.

Amendments

2000—Pub. L. 106–179 amended section generally, substituting present provisions for provisions which required agreements with Indian tribes or Indians to be in writing, to bear the approval of the Secretary, to contain the names of all parties in interest, to state the time and place of making, purpose, and contingencies, and to have a fixed time limit to run, and provisions which declared agreements made in violation of this section to be null and void and which authorized recovery of amounts in excess of approved amounts, with one half of recovered amounts to be paid into the Treasury.

1958—Par. Second. Pub. L. 85–770 struck out requirement that contracts with Indian tribes be executed before a judge of a court of record.

Par. Sixth. Pub. L. 85–770 struck out par. Sixth enumerating contractual elements to be certified to by the judge.

Executive Documents

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.

§81a. Counsel for prosecution of claims against the United States; cancellation; revival

Any contracts or agreements approved prior to June 26, 1936, by the Secretary of the Interior between the authorities of any tribe, band, or group of Indians and their attorneys for the prosecution of claims against the United States, which provide that such contracts or agreements shall run for a period of years therein specified, and as long thereafter as may be required to complete the business therein provided for, or words of like import, or which provide that compensation for services rendered shall be on a quantum-meruit basis not to exceed a specified percentage, shall be deemed a sufficient compliance with section 81 of this title: Provided, however, That nothing herein contained shall limit the power of the Secretary of the Interior, after due notice and hearing and for proper cause shown, to cancel any such contract or agreement: Provided further, That the provisions of this section and section 81b of this title shall not be construed to revive any contract which has been terminated by lapse of time, operation of law, or by acts of the parties thereto.

(June 26, 1936, ch. 851, §1, 49 Stat. 1984.)

Executive Documents

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.

§81b. Continuation of contracts with attorneys containing limitation of time where suits have been filed

Any existing valid contract made and approved prior to June 26, 1936, pursuant to any Act of Congress by any tribe, band, or group of Indians with an attorney or attorneys for the rendition of services in the prosecution of claims against the United States under authority of which suit or suits have been filed, and which contains a limitation of time for the completion of the services to be performed may be continued in full force unless a subsequent contract dealing with the same subject matter has been made and approved.

(June 26, 1936, ch. 851, §2, 49 Stat. 1984.)

§82. Payments under contracts; aiding in making prohibited contracts

No money shall be paid to any agent or attorney by an officer of the United States under any such contract or agreement, other than the fees due him for services rendered thereunder; but the moneys due the tribe, Indian, or Indians, as the case may be, shall be paid by the United States, through its own officers or agents, to the party or parties entitled thereto; and no money or thing shall be paid to any person for services under such contract or agreement, until such person shall have first filed with the Commissioner of Indian Affairs a sworn statement, showing each particular act of service under the contract, giving date and fact in detail, and the Secretary of the Interior and Commissioner of Indian Affairs shall determine therefrom whether, in their judgment, such contract or agreement has been complied with or fulfilled; if so, the same may be paid, and, if not, it shall be paid in proportion to the services rendered under the contract.

(R.S. §2104.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

R.S. §2104 derived from act May 21, 1872, ch. 177, §3, 17 Stat. 137.

Executive Documents

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.

§82a. Contracts for payment of money permitted certain tribes; payment for legal services

Contracts involving the payment or expenditure of any money or affecting any property belonging to the Choctaw, Chickasaw, Cherokee, Creek, or Seminole Tribes of Indians, including contracts for professional legal services, may be made by said tribes, with the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, or his authorized representative, under such rules and regulations as the Secretary of the Interior may prescribe: Provided, That the provisions of this section shall not apply to contracts for professional legal services involving the prosecution of claims against the United States.

(July 3, 1952, ch. 549, §1, 66 Stat. 323.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Contracts Involving Choctaw and Chickasaw Tribes

Act July 3, 1952, ch. 549, §2, 66 Stat. 323, provided: "That the second proviso in section 28 of the Act of April 26, 1906, ch. 1876 (34 Stat. 148) [not classified to the Code], and the provisions contained in the fifth paragraph of section 17 of the Act of March 3, 1911, ch. 210 (36 Stat. 1070) [not classified to the Code], dealing with contracts made by the Choctaw and Chickasaw Tribes of Indians for professional legal services of attorneys, are hereby repealed."

§83. Repealed. June 25, 1948, ch. 645, §21, 62 Stat. 862

Section, R.S. §2105, related to payments under prohibited contracts.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of Repeal

Repeal by act June 25, 1948 effective Sept. 1, 1948.

§84. Repealed. Pub. L. 106–568, title VIII, §812(c)(1), Dec. 27, 2000, 114 Stat. 2917

Section, R.S. §2106, related to restrictions on assignments of contracts.

§85. Contracts relating to tribal funds or property

No contract made with any Indian, where such contract relates to the tribal funds or property in the hands of the United States, shall be valid, nor shall any payment for services rendered in relation thereto be made unless the consent of the United States has previously been given.

(June 30, 1913, ch. 4, §18, 38 Stat. 97.)

§86. Encumbrances on lands allotted to applicants for enrollment in Five Civilized Tribes; use of interest on tribal funds

Land allotted to any applicant for enrollment as a citizen in the Five Civilized Tribes whether an Indian or freedman, shall not be affected or encumbered by any deed, debt, or obligation of any character contracted prior to the time at which said land may be alienated under the laws of the United States: Provided further, That the interest accruing from tribal funds and deposited in banks in the State of Oklahoma may be used as authorized by the Act of March third, nineteen hundred and eleven, under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, to defray the expense of per capita payments authorized by Congress.

(Aug. 1, 1914, ch. 222, §17, 38 Stat. 601; June 25, 1948, ch. 645, §3, 62 Stat. 859.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Act of March third, nineteen hundred and eleven, referred to in text, is act Mar. 3, 1911, ch. 210, 36 Stat. 1060, which, insofar as classified to the Code, enacted sections 11, 118, 143, 156, 300, and 301 of this title. For classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

Amendments

1948—Act June 25, 1948, struck out provisions relating to prohibiting contracts for compensation for services in relation to enrollment in the Five Civilized Tribes.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1948 Amendment

Amendment by act June 25, 1948 effective Sept. 1, 1948.

Executive Documents

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.

§87. Repealed. June 25, 1948, ch. 645, §21, 62 Stat. 862

Section, act June 22, 1874, ch. 389, §10, 18 Stat. 177, related to interest of agents and employees in Indian contracts. See section 437 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of Repeal

Repeal effective Sept. 1, 1948, see act June 25, 1948, ch. 645, §20, 62 Stat. 862.

§87a. Repealed. Pub. L. 96–277, §2, June 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 545

Section, act June 19, 1939, ch. 210, 53 Stat. 840, authorized Federal employees, including Indian Service employees, under rules and regulations of Secretary of the Interior to purchase from Indians and Indian organizations arts and crafts, or other products, services, or commodities, produced, rendered, owned, controlled, or furnished by Indians or Indian organizations, but prohibited employee purchases for purpose of engaging directly or indirectly in commercial selling, reselling, trading, or bartering of such purchases.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of Repeal

Repeal effective sixty days after June 17, 1980, see section 4 of Pub. L. 96–277, set out as a note under section 68 of this title.

§88. False vouchers, accounts, or claims

Any disbursing or other officer of the United States, or other person, who shall knowingly present, or cause to be presented, any voucher, account, or claim to any officer of the United States, for approval or payment, or for the purpose of securing a credit in any account with the United States, relating to any matter pertaining to the Indian Service, which shall contain any material misrepresentation of fact in regard to the amount due or paid, the name or character of the article furnished or received; or of the service rendered, or to the date of purchase, delivery, or performance of service, or in any other particular, shall not be entitled to payment or credit for any part of said voucher, account, or claim; and if any such credit shall be given or received, or payment made, the United States may recharge the same to the officer or person receiving the credit or payment, and recover the amount from either or from both, in the same manner as other debts due the United States are collected: Provided, That where an account contains more than one voucher the foregoing shall apply only to such vouchers as contain the misrepresentation: And provided further, That the officers and persons by and between whom the business is transacted shall, in all civil actions in settlement of accounts, be presumed to know the facts in relation to the matter set forth in the voucher, account, or claim: And provided further, That the foregoing shall be in addition to the penalties prescribed by law, and in no way affect proceedings under existing law for like offenses. Where practicable this section shall be printed on the blank forms of vouchers provided for general use.

(July 4, 1884, ch. 180, §8, 23 Stat. 97.)

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

Transfer of disbursement functions of all Government agencies with certain exceptions to Fiscal Service, Department of the Treasury, see note set out under section 53 of this title.