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Title 25, IndiansRelease 119-110

§117b Distribution of Funds

Title 25 › CHAPTER 4 — PERFORMANCE BY UNITED STATES OF OBLIGATIONS TO INDIANS › SUBCHAPTER II — DISBURSEMENT OF MONEYS AND SUPPLIES › § 117b

Last updated Sep 23, 2026|Official source

Summary

Money paid under sections 117a–117c cannot be used to pay earlier tribal contracts unless the tribe’s governing body agrees. Those distributions must follow section 7 of the Act of October 19, 1973 (87 Stat. 466), as amended (25 U.S.C. 1407). These sections do not change the rules of the October 19, 1973 Act (87 Stat. 466) or any plan under it. Per capita payments under an approved 1973 Act plan may use section 117a only if the tribe meets all 1973 Act requirements, including protecting minors and those unable to manage their money. Except for the contract rule above, 117a–117c do not apply to the Shoshone Tribe and the Arapaho Tribe of the Wind River Reservation, Wyoming.

Full Legal Text

Title 25, §117b

Indians, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Previous contractual obligations; tax exemption
Funds distributed under sections 117a to 117c of this title shall not be liable for the payment of previously contracted obligations except as may be provided by the governing body of the tribe and distributions of such funds shall be subject to the provisions of section 7 of the Act of October 19, 1973 (87 Stat. 466), as amended [25 U.S.C. 1407].
(b)Funds appropriated in satisfaction of judgments
Nothing in sections 117a to 117c of this title shall affect the requirements of the Act of October 19, 1973 (87 Stat. 466), as amended [25 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.], or of any plan approved thereunder, with respect to the use or distribution of funds subject to that Act: Provided, That per capita payments made pursuant to a plan approved under that Act may be made by an Indian tribe as provided in section 117a of this title if all other provisions of the 1973 Act are met, including but not limited to, the protection of the interests of minors and incompetents in such funds.
(c)Shoshone Tribe and Arapaho Tribe of the Wind River Reservation, Wyoming
Nothing in sections 117a to 117c of this title, except the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, shall apply to the Shoshone Tribe and the Arapahoe Tribe of the Wind River Reservation, Wyoming.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Act of October 19, 1973, referred to in subsec. (b), is Pub. L. 93–134, Oct. 19, 1973, 87 Stat. 466, known as the Indian Tribal Judgment Funds Use or Distribution Act, which is classified generally to chapter 16 (§ 1401 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1401(c) of this title and Tables.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

25 U.S.C. § 117b

Title 25, Indians

Last Updated

Sep 23, 2026

Release point: 119-110