§416a Lease provisions

Summary

Leases made under section 416 must include a promise by the tenant not to cause or allow waste, a nuisance, or anything that creates a health or property hazard, even if the harm affects people or property off the land. The State of Arizona, or any political subdivision that borders the San Xavier or Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Reservation, may sue in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona to stop a breach of that promise, without worrying about the amount in controversy. If that District Court says it lacks jurisdiction because of the parties’ citizenship and the law that applies, the suit can be brought in any Arizona state court with proper authority. Contracts that affect land in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Reservation, including leases, may include binding arbitration clauses. Those contracts count as "commerce" under section 1 of title 9 and are covered by that law. If a party refuses to submit to arbitration or to accept the arbitration result under chapter 1 of title 9 (sections 1 through 14), that refusal is treated as a federal civil action under section 1331 of title 28.