§3612 Survey of Tribal Judicial Systems

Summary

The Secretary must, within six months after December 3, 1993, hire a non‑Federal organization, working with Indian tribes, to survey tribal justice systems and Courts of Indian Offenses. The survey must find what resources and funding, including base support funding, are needed so justice can be handled quickly and well. The Secretary must update that survey every year. The survey must describe local conditions for each tribe: the area and people served; how well the tribal justice system works; caseload size and difficulty; facilities (including detention) and program resources; funding and staff needs; and training and technical help needed. The non‑Federal group must consult tribes while doing the work. Tribes can review and make recommendations before the final report. The group must send its findings, with tribes’ comments, to the Secretary, the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate, and the Subcommittee on Native American Affairs of the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives.