Source: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/25/2204
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 10:11:36+00:00

Document:
land that is otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the tribe.
The Indian tribe may purchase all interests in a tract described in paragraph (1) with the consent of the owners of undivided interests equal to at least 50 percent of the undivided interest in the tract.
Interests owned by an Indian tribe in a tract may be included in the computation of the percentage of ownership of the undivided interests in that tract for purposes of determining whether the consent requirement under subparagraph (A) has been met.
the approval of the Secretary shall be required for a land sale initiated under this section, except that such approval shall not be required with respect to a land sale transaction initiated by an Indian tribe that has in effect a land consolidation plan that has been approved by the Secretary under section 2203 of this title.
This subsection shall be applicable only to parcels of land (including surface and subsurface interests, except with respect to a subsurface interest that has been severed from the surface interest, in which case this subsection shall apply only to the surface interest) which the Secretary has determined, pursuant to paragraph (2)(B), to be parcels of highly fractionated Indian land.
provided that no such application shall be valid or considered if it is received by the Secretary prior to the date that is 1 year after the date on which notice is published pursuant to section 8(a)(4) of the American Indian Probate Reform Act of 2004.
The costs of serving and publishing notice under subparagraph (F) shall be borne by the applicant. Upon receiving written notice from the Secretary, the applicant must pay to the Secretary an amount determined by the Secretary to be the estimated costs of such service of notice and publication, or furnish a sufficient bond for such estimated costs within the time stated in the notice, failing which, unless an extension is granted by the Secretary, the Secretary shall not be required to commence the partition process under subparagraph (A) and may deny the application. The Secretary shall have the discretion and authority in any case to waive either the payment or the bond (or any portion of such payment or bond) otherwise required by this subparagraph, upon making a determination that such waiver will further the policies of this chapter.
Upon receipt of an application pursuant to subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall determine whether the subject parcel meets the requirements set forth in section 2201(6) of this title to be classified as a parcel of highly fractionated Indian land.
the owners (including parents of minor owners and legal guardians of incompetent owners) of at least 50 percent of the undivided interests in the parcel, but only in cases where the Secretary determines that, based on the final appraisal prepared pursuant to subparagraph (F), any 1 owner’s total undivided interest in the parcel (not including the interest of an Indian tribe or that of the owner requesting the partition) has a value in excess of $1,500.
Any consent required by this clause must be in writing and acknowledged before a notary public (or other official authorized to make acknowledgments), and shall be approved by the Secretary unless the Secretary has reason to believe that the consent was obtained as a result of fraud or undue influence.
missing owners or owners of trust or restricted interests whose whereabouts are unknown, but only after a search for such owners has been completed in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.
After the Secretary has determined that the subject parcel is a parcel of highly fractionated Indian land pursuant to subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall cause to be made, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter for establishing fair market value, an appraisal of the fair market value of the subject parcel.
That a proceeding to partition the parcel of land by sale has been commenced.
The legal description of the subject parcel.
The owner’s ownership interest in the subject parcel as evidenced by the Secretary’s records as of the date that owners are determined in accordance with clause (ii).
The results of the appraisal.
The owner’s right to receive a copy of the appraisal upon written request.
The owner’s right to comment on or object to the proposed partition and the appraisal.
That the owner must timely comment on or object in writing to the proposed partition or the appraisal, in order to receive notice of approval of the appraisal and right to appeal.
The date by which the owner’s written comments or objections must be received, which shall not be less than 90 days after the date that the notice is mailed under this clause or last published under clause (ii)(II).
The address for requesting copies of the appraisal and for submitting written comments or objections.
The name and telephone number of the official to be contacted for purposes of obtaining information regarding the proceeding, including the time and date of the auction of the land or the date for submitting sealed bids.
Any other information the Secretary deems to be appropriate.
The Secretary shall use due diligence to provide all owners of interests in the subject parcel, as evidenced by the Secretary’s records at the time of the determination under subparagraph (C), with actual notice of the partition proceedings by mailing a copy of the written notice described in clause (i) by certified mail, restricted delivery, to each such owner at the owner’s last known address. For purposes of this subsection, owners shall be determined from the Secretary’s land title records as of the date of the determination under subparagraph (C) or a date that is not more than 90 days prior to the date of mailing under this clause, whichever is later. In the event the written notice to an owner is returned undelivered, the Secretary shall attempt to obtain a current address for such owner by conducting a reasonable search (including a reasonable search of records maintained by local, State, Federal and tribal governments and agencies) and by inquiring with the Indian tribe with jurisdiction over the subject parcel, and, if different from that tribe, the Indian tribe of which the owner is a member, and, if successful in locating any such owner, send written notice by certified mail in accordance with this subclause.
in addition to the foregoing, in the Secretary’s discretion, publishing notice in any other place or means that the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
provided that if the Secretary orders a new appraisal under subclause (I), notice of the new appraisal shall be given as specified in clause (ii).
in accordance with subparagraph (F)(ii), where the new appraisal results in a lower valuation of the land.
The Indian tribe, if any, with jurisdiction over the trust or restricted interests in the parcel being sold.
Any person who is a member, or is eligible to be a member, of the Indian tribe described in subclause (I).
Any person who is a member, or is eligible to be a member, of an Indian tribe but not of the tribe described in subclause (I), but only if such person already owns an undivided interest in the parcel at the time of sale.
Any lineal descendent of the original allottee of the parcel who is a member or is eligible to be a member of an Indian tribe or, with respect to a parcel located in the State of California that is not within an Indian tribe’s reservation or not otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe, who is a member, or eligible to be a member, of an Indian tribe or owns a trust or restricted interest in the parcel.
the parcel is not acquired under clause (iii).
in accordance with any requirements of the regulations promulgated under paragraph (5).
A purchaser of a parcel of land under this subparagraph shall acquire title to the parcel in trust or restricted status, free and clear of any and all claims of title or ownership of all persons or entities (not including the United States) owning or claiming to own an interest in such parcel prior to the time of sale.
Subject to clauses (ii) and (iii), the Secretary shall distribute the proceeds of sale of a parcel of land under the provisions of this section to the owners of interests in such parcel in proportion to their respective ownership interests.
Proceeds attributable to the sale of trust or restricted interests shall be maintained in accounts as trust personalty.
Proceeds attributable to the sale of interests of owners whose whereabouts are unknown, of undetermined heirs, and of other persons whose ownership interests have not been recorded shall be held by the Secretary until such owners, heirs, or other persons have been determined, at which time such proceeds shall be distributed in accordance with clauses (i) and (ii).
If an applicant fails to obtain any applicable consent required under the provisions of subparagraph (D) by the date established by the Secretary prior to the proposed sale, the Secretary may either extend the time for obtaining any such consent or deny the request for partition.
request that the court issue an order for ejectment or any other appropriate remedy necessary for the partition of the land by sale.
the civil action shall not be dismissed, and no relief requested shall be denied, on the ground that the civil action is against the United States or that the United States is a necessary and indispensable party.
the grant or loan funds provided shall only be applied toward the purchase price of the parcel of land sold.
The Secretary is authorized to adopt such regulations as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this subsection. Such regulations may include provisions for giving notice of sales to prospective purchasers eligible to submit bids at sales conducted under paragraph (2)(I).
Section 8(a)(4) of the American Indian Probate Reform Act of 2004, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(A), is section 8(a)(4) of Pub. L. 108–374, which is set out as a note under section 2201 of this title.
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(B), (E), (G)(i), was in the original “this Act”, which was translated as reading “this title”, meaning title II of Pub. L. 97–459, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
2008—Subsec. (c)(2)(D)(i). Pub. L. 110–453 substituted “by the Secretary” for “by Secretary” in concluding provisions.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–157, § 2(2), redesignated subsec. (d) as (c). Prior to amendment, no subsec. (c) had been enacted.
Subsec. (c)(2)(G)(ii)(I). Pub. L. 109–157, § 2(3)(A)(i), substituted “a value of the land that is equal to or greater than that of the earlier appraisal” for “a higher valuation of the land”.
Subsec. (c)(2)(I)(iii)(III). Pub. L. 109–157, § 2(3)(A)(ii)(I), inserted “(if any)” after “this section”.
Subsec. (c)(2)(I)(iii)(IV)(aa). Pub. L. 109–157, § 2(3)(A)(ii)(II)(aa), substituted “more” for “less”.
Subsec. (c)(2)(I)(iii)(IV)(bb). Pub. L. 109–157, § 2(3)(A)(ii)(II)(bb), substituted “under paragraph (5)” for “to implement this section”.
Subsec. (c)(5). Pub. L. 109–157, § 2(3)(B), in second sentence, substituted “may” for “shall”.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–157, § 8(a)(1), amended directory language of Pub. L. 108–374, § 4. See 2004 Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 109–157, § 2(2), redesignated subsec. (d) as (c).
2004—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 108–374, § 6(a)(1), in second sentence, substituted “undivided interests equal to at least 50 percent of the undivided interest” for “over 50 per centum of the undivided interests”.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 108–374, § 4, as amended by Pub. L. 109–157, § 8(a)(1), added subsec. (d).
2001—Pub. L. 106–462, § 103(2)(A)(iii), which directed substitution of subsec. (b) designation and heading and “Subsection (a) applies on the condition that—” for “: Provided, That—”, was executed by making the substitution for “Provided, That—” to reflect the probable intent of Congress and the amendment by Pub. L. 106–462, § 103(2)(A)(ii). See below.
Pub. L. 106–462, § 103(2)(A)(i), (ii), substituted subsec. (a) designation and heading and “Subject to subsection (b), any Indian” for “Any Indian” and “. Interests owned by an Indian tribe in a tract may be included in the computation of the percentage of ownership of the undivided interests in that tract for purposes of determining whether the consent requirement under the preceding sentence has been met.” for the colon before “Provided, That—”.
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 106–462, § 103(2)(B)(ii), inserted “and” at end.
Pub. L. 106–462, § 103(2)(B)(i), which directed substitution of “if” for “If,”, was executed by making the substitution for “if,” to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
1984—Pub. L. 98–608 amended section generally, substituting “the owners of such interests. The tribe may purchase all of the interests in such tract with the consent of the owners of over 50 per centum of the undivided interests in such tract” for “of over 50 per centum of the owners or with the consent of the owners of over 50 per centum of undivided interests in such tract” before proviso.
Par. (1). Pub. L. 98–608 redesignated par. (2) as (1) and inserted “for at least three years preceding the tribal initiative,” before “may purchase such tract”. Former par. (1), which provided that no such tract shall be acquired by any Indian or tribe over the objections of three or less owners owning 50 per centum or more of the total interest in such tract, was struck out.
Par. (2). Pub. L. 98–608 added par. (2). Former par. (2) redesignated (1).
Pars. (3), (4). Pub. L. 98–608 redesignated par. (4) as (3), and in par. (3), as so redesignated, substituted “subject to approval” for “approved” and struck out former par. (3), which provided that “this section shall not apply to any tract of land owned by less than fifteen persons; and”.
Invalidity of any provision of Pub. L. 108–374 not to affect validity of remaining provisions, except that each of subcls. (II), (III), or (IV) of subsection (c)(2)(I)(i) of this section deemed to be inseverable from the other two, such that invalidity of any one subcl. renders the other two without effect, see section 9 of Pub. L. 108–374, as amended, set out as a note under section 2201 of this title.
  So in original. Probably should be paragraph “(2)(C),”.

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