§ 3504 TITLE 25—INDIANS Page 682

§ 3504. Indian energy resource regulation

(a) Grants

The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to

make annual grants to Indian tribes for the purpose of assisting Indian tribes in the development, administration, implementation, and enforcement of tribal laws and regulations governing the development of energy resources on Indian reservations.

(b) Purpose

The purposes for which funds provided under a

grant awarded under subsection (a) of this section may be used include, but are not limited

to—

(1) the training and education of employees

responsible for enforcing or monitoring compliance with Federal and tribal laws and regulations;

(2) the development of tribal inventories of

energy resources;

(3) the development of tribal laws and regulations;

(4) the development of tribal legal and governmental infrastructure to regulate environmental quality pursuant to Federal and tribal

laws; and

(5) the enforcement and monitoring of Federal and tribal laws and regulations.

(c) Other assistance

The Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Energy shall cooperate with and provide assistance to Indian tribes for the purpose

of assisting Indian tribes in the development,

administration, and enforcement of tribal programs. Such cooperation and assistance shall include the following:

(1) Technical assistance and training, including the provision of necessary circulars and

training materials.

(2) Assistance in the preparation and maintenance of a continuing inventory of information on tribal energy resources and tribal operations. In providing assistance under this

paragraph, Federal departments and agencies

shall make available to Indian tribes all relevant data concerning tribal energy resource

development consistent with applicable laws

regarding disclosure of proprietary and confidential information.

(d) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated

$10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1994, 1995,

1996, and 1997 to carry out the purposes of this

section.

(Pub. L. 102–486, title XXVI, §2604, Oct. 24, 1992,

106 Stat. 3114.)

§ 3505. Indian Energy Resource Commission

(a) Establishment

There is hereby established the Indian Energy

Resource Commission (hereafter in this section

referred to as the ‘‘Commission’’).

(b) Membership

The Commission shall consist of—

(1) 8 members appointed by the Secretary of

the Interior from recommendations submitted

by Indian tribes with developable energy resources, at least 4 of whom shall be elected

tribal leaders;

(2) 3 members appointed by the Secretary of

the Interior from recommendations submitted

by the Governors of States that have Indian

reservations with developable energy resources;

(3) 2 members appointed by the Secretary of

the Interior from among individuals in the private sector with expertise in tribal and State

taxation of energy resources;

(4) 2 members appointed by the Secretary of

the Interior from individuals with expertise in

oil and gas royalty management administration, including auditing and accounting;

(5) 2 members appointed by the Secretary of

the Interior from individuals in the private

sector with expertise in energy development;

(6) 1 member appointed by the Secretary of

the Interior from recommendations submitted

by National environmental organizations;

(7) the Secretary of the Interior, or his designee; and

(8) the Secretary of Energy, or his designee.

(c) Appointments

Members of the Commission shall be appointed

not later than 60 days after October 24, 1992.

(d) Vacancies

A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in

the same manner as the original appointment

was made. A vacancy in the Commission shall

not affect the powers of the Commission.

(e) Chairperson

The members of the Commission shall elect a

Chairperson from among the members of the

Commission.

(f) Quorum

Eleven members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold

hearings.

(g) Organizational meeting

The Commission shall hold an organizational

meeting to establish the rules and procedures of

the Commission not later than 30 days after the

members are first appointed to the Commission.

(h) Compensation

Each member of the Commission who is not an

officer or employee of the United States shall be

compensated at a rate established by the Commission, not to exceed the rate of basic pay payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule

under section 5315 of title 5, for each day (including travel time) during which such member

is engaged in the actual performance of duties

as a member of the Commission. Each member

of the Commission who is an officer or employee

of the United States shall receive no additional

compensation.

(i) Travel

While away from their homes or regular places

of business in the performance of duties for the

Commission, all members of the Commission

shall be allowed travel expenses, including per

diem in lieu of subsistence, at a rate established

by the Commission not to exceed the rates au-