retary for certification in accordance 
with this paragraph. 
(C) CERTIFICATIONS
DEEMED
MADE.—
The certifications under paragraph (4) shall be 
deemed to have been made if the Secretary has 
not acted within 90 days after the date on 
which the Council has submitted the organic 
governing documents of the Native Hawaiian 
governing entity to the Secretary. 
(5) ELECTIONS.—On completion of the certifi-
cations by the Secretary under paragraph (4), the 
Council may hold elections of the officers of the Na-
tive Hawaiian governing entity. 
(6) 
REAFFIRMATION.—Notwithstanding 
any 
other provision of law, upon the certifications re-
quired under paragraph (4) and the election of the 
officers of the Native Hawaiian governing entity, the 
political and legal relationship between the United 
States and the Native Hawaiian governing entity is 
hereby reaffirmed and the United States extends 
Federal recognition to the Native Hawaiian gov-
erning entity as the representative governing body of 
the Native Hawaiian people.
SEC. 8. REAFFIRMATION OF DELEGATION OF FEDERAL AU-
THORITY; NEGOTIATIONS; CLAIMS. 
(a) REAFFIRMATION.—The delegation by the United 
States of authority to the State of Hawaii to address the 
conditions of the indigenous, native people of Hawaii con-
tained in the Act entitled ‘‘An Act to provide for the ad-
mission of the State of Hawaii into the Union’’ approved 
March 18, 1959 (Public Law 86–3, 73 Stat. 5) is re-
affirmed. 
(b) NEGOTIATIONS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Upon the reaffirmation of 
the political and legal relationship between the 
United States and the Native Hawaiian governing 
entity, the United States and the State of Hawaii 
may enter into negotiations with the Native Hawai-
ian governing entity designed to lead to an agree-
ment addressing such matters as—
(A) the transfer of lands, natural re-
sources, and other assets, and the protection of 
existing rights related to such lands or re-
sources; 
(B) the exercise of governmental authority 
over any transferred lands, natural resources, 
and other assets, including land use; 
(C) the exercise of civil and criminal juris-
diction;
(D) the delegation of governmental powers 
and authorities to the Native Hawaiian gov-
erning entity by the United States and the 
State of Hawaii; and 
(E) any residual responsibilities of the 
United States and the State of Hawaii. 
(2) AMENDMENTS TO EXISTING LAWS.—Upon 
agreement on any matter or matters negotiated with 
the United States, the State of Hawaii, and the Na-
tive Hawaiian governing entity, the parties shall sub-
mit—
(A) to the Committee on Indian Affairs of 
the Senate, the Committee on Energy and Nat-
ural Resources of the Senate, and the Com-
mittee on Resources of the House of Represent-
atives, recommendations for proposed amend-
ments to Federal law that will enable the imple-
mentation of agreements reached between the 
three governments; and 
(B) to the Governor and the legislature of 
the State of Hawaii, recommendations for pro-
posed amendments to State law that will enable 
the implementation of agreements reached be-
tween the three governments. 
(c) CLAIMS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Nothing in this Act serves 
as a settlement of any claim against the United 
States. 
(2) STATUTE
OF
LIMITATIONS.—Any claim 
against the United States arising under Federal law 
that—
(A) is in existence on the date of enact-
ment of this Act; 
(B) is asserted by the Native Hawaiian 
governing entity on behalf of the Native Hawai-
ian people; and 
(C) relates to the legal and political rela-
tionship between the United States and the Na-
tive Hawaiian people; 
shall be brought in the court of jurisdiction over 
such claims not later than 20 years after the date 
on which Federal recognition is extended to the Na-
tive Hawaiian governing entity under section 
7(c)(6). 
SEC. 9. APPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN FEDERAL LAWS. 
(a) INDIAN GAMING REGULATORY ACT.—Nothing in 
this Act shall be construed to authorize the Native Hawai-
ian governing entity to conduct gaming activities under 
the authority of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (25 
U.S.C. 2701 et seq.).
(b) BUREAU
OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.—Nothing con-
tained in this Act provides an authorization for eligibility 
to participate in any programs and services provided by 
the Bureau of Indian Affairs for any persons not otherwise 
eligible for the programs or services. 
SEC. 10. SEVERABILITY. 
If any section or provision of this Act is held invalid, 
it is the intent of Congress that the remaining sections 
or provisions shall continue in full force and effect. 
SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums 
as are necessary to carry out this Act.
Æ