§5392 — Title 25 Indians | U.S. Code

Summary

The Secretary must read federal laws, executive orders, and rules in a way that makes it easier for tribes to include programs, services, functions, activities, and money in self‑governance compacts and funding agreements, and to meet tribal health goals. An Indian tribe can ask in writing to waive a regulation made under section 5397 or the authorities in section 5385(b) for a compact or funding agreement. The request must name the rule and explain why. The Secretary must approve or deny the request in writing within 90 days. A denial is allowed only if federal law forbids the waiver. If the Secretary does not respond within 90 days, the request is treated as approved. The Secretary’s decision is final for the Department. If a tribe asks, the Secretary must allow tribes to use existing school buildings, hospitals, equipment, and other government property under agreed terms. The Secretary may give excess federal property to a tribe. Property bought or provided for a compact will belong to the tribe unless the tribe asks otherwise, but if such property is worth more than $5,000 when control returns, the Secretary can make title revert to the Department of Health and Human Services. Compact and grant funds count as non‑Federal money for matching rules. States are encouraged to pass laws and make agreements to support tribal programs. Any part of these rules or agreements must be read to help the tribe, and unclear parts must be resolved in the tribe’s favor.

Title 25, §5392

Indians — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Except as otherwise provided by law, the Secretary shall interpret all Federal laws, Executive orders, and regulations in a manner that will facilitate—

(1)the inclusion of programs, services, functions, and activities (or portions thereof) and funds associated therewith, in the agreements entered into under this section;

(2)the implementation of compacts and funding agreements entered into under this subchapter; and

(3)the achievement of tribal health goals and objectives.

(b)(1)An Indian tribe may submit a written request to waive application of a regulation promulgated under section 5397 of this title or the authorities specified in section 5385(b) of this title for a compact or funding agreement entered into with the Indian Health Service under this subchapter, to the Secretary identifying the applicable Federal regulation sought to be waived and the basis for the request.

(2)Not later than 90 days after receipt by the Secretary of a written request by an Indian tribe to waive application of a regulation for a compact or funding agreement entered into under this subchapter, the Secretary shall either approve or deny the requested waiver in writing. A denial may be made only upon a specific finding by the Secretary that identified language in the regulation may not be waived because such waiver is prohibited by Federal law. A failure to approve or deny a waiver request not later than 90 days after receipt shall be deemed an approval of such request. The Secretary’s decision shall be final for the Department.

(c)In connection with any compact or funding agreement executed pursuant to this subchapter or an agreement negotiated under the Tribal Self-Governance Demonstration Project established under title III,11 See References in Text note below. as in effect before August 18, 2000, upon the request of an Indian tribe, the Secretary—

(1)shall permit an Indian tribe to use existing school buildings, hospitals, and other facilities and all equipment therein or appertaining thereto and other personal property owned by the Government within the Secretary’s jurisdiction under such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon by the Secretary and the Indian tribe for their use and maintenance;

(2)may donate to an Indian tribe title to any personal or real property found to be excess to the needs of any agency of the Department, or the General Services Administration, except that—

(A)subject to the provisions of subparagraph (B), title to property and equipment furnished by the Federal Government for use in the performance of the compact or funding agreement or purchased with funds under any compact or funding agreement shall, unless otherwise requested by the Indian tribe, vest in the appropriate Indian tribe;

(B)if property described in subparagraph (A) has a value in excess of $5,000 at the time of retrocession, withdrawal, or reassumption, at the option of the Secretary upon the retrocession, withdrawal, or reassumption, title to such property and equipment shall revert to the Department of Health and Human Services; and

(C)all property referred to in subparagraph (A) shall remain eligible for replacement, maintenance, and improvement on the same basis as if title to such property were vested in the United States; and

(3)shall acquire excess or surplus Government personal or real property for donation to an Indian tribe if the Secretary determines the property is appropriate for use by the Indian tribe for any purpose for which a compact or funding agreement is authorized under this subchapter.

(d)All funds provided under compacts, funding agreements, or grants made pursuant to this chapter, shall be treated as non-Federal funds for purposes of meeting matching or cost participation requirements under any other Federal or non-Federal program.

(e)States are hereby authorized and encouraged to enact legislation, and to enter into agreements with Indian tribes to facilitate and supplement the initiatives, programs, and policies authorized by this subchapter and other Federal laws benefiting Indians and Indian tribes.

(f)Each provision of this subchapter and each provision of a compact or funding agreement shall be liberally construed for the benefit of the Indian tribe participating in self-governance and any ambiguity shall be resolved in favor of the Indian tribe.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Title III, referred to in subsec. (c), means title III of Pub. L. 93–638, as added by Pub. L. 100–472, title II, § 209, Oct. 5, 1988, 102 Stat. 2296, which was set out as a note under former section 450f of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 106–260, § 10, Aug. 18, 2000, 114 Stat. 734. This chapter, referred to in subsec. (d), was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 93–638, Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2203, known as the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 5301 of this title and Tables. Codification Section was formerly classified to section 458aaa–11 of this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

§5392 Facilitation