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Code · U.S. Code · Title 25 - INDIANS · CHAPTER 3— AGREEMENTS WITH INDIANS · SUBCHAPTER II— CONTRACTS WITH INDIANS · § 81

§ 81. Contracts and agreements with Indian tribes

729 words·~3 min read·/usc/title-25/section-81

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(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.)
Connections120 cite this · traces to 2
Cited by 120 sections · top 60
statutes-at-large
Traces to 2 documents
12 references not yet in our index
  • Pub. L. 85–770
  • 72 Stat. 927
  • Pub. L. 106–179, § 2
  • 114 Stat. 46
  • Pub. L. 100–497
  • 102 Stat. 2467
  • Mar. 3, 1871, ch. 120, § 3
  • 16 Stat. 570
  • May 21, 1872, ch. 177
  • 17 Stat. 136
  • Pub. L. 106–179
  • 64 Stat. 1262
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§ 81
Contracts and agreements with Indian tribes
Fed. Reg.×37
Bills×35
Stat.×18
Stat. Comp.×10
U.S.C.×9
C.F.R.×8
Pub. L.×3
Pub. L.Pub. L. 85–770
Stat.72 Stat. 927
Pub. L.Pub. L. 106–179, § 2
Stat.114 Stat. 46
Pub. L.Pub. L. 100–497
Cites 14 · showing 7Cited by 120 across 7 sources
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