Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2011/02/10/2011-2896/indian-trust-management-reform-implementation-of-statutory-changes
Timestamp: 2018-07-19 02:49:38
Document Index: 622308588

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A Rule by the Indian Affairs Bureau on 02/10/2011
This interim final rule is effective on February 10, 2011. Submit comments by March 14, 2011.
7500-7508 (9 pages)
Docket ID: BIA-2009-0001
A. Purchase at Probate
1. Rule of Descent When Decedent Died Intestate
2. Presumption When Decedent Died Testate (i.e., With a Valid Will)
3. Jurisdiction Over Permanent Improvements
C. List of All Regulatory Changes Made by This Interim Final Rule
“Trust estate”
Section 15.2 What definitions do I need to know?
Section 15.10 What assets will the Secretary probate?
Section 15.202 What items must the agency include in the probate file?
Section 15.203 What information must Tribes provide BIA to complete the probate file?
Section 4.324 How is the record on appeal prepared?
Section 30.100 How do I use this part?
Section 30.101 What definitions do I need to know?
Section 30.102 What assets will the Secretary probate?
Section 30.128 What happens if an error in BIA's estate inventory is alleged?
Section 30.142 Will a judge authorize payment of a claim from the trust estate if the decedent's non-trust estate was or is available?
Section 30.143 Are there any categories of claims that will not be allowed?
Section 30.151 May the devisees or eligible heirs in a probate proceeding consolidate their interests?
Section 30.160 What may be purchased at probate?
Section 30.163 Is consent required for a purchase at probate?
Section 30.167 How does OHA decide whether to approve a purchase at probate?
Section 30.170 What may I do if I disagree with the judge's determination to approve a purchase at probate?
Section 30.236 How are covered improvements treated?
Section 30.238 May I file a petition for rehearing if I disagree with the judge's decision in the formal probate hearing?
Section 30.243 May a closed probate case be reopened?
Section 30.262 When may a Tribe exercise its statutory option to purchase?
Section 30.266 When is a final decision issued?
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2011-2896 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2011-2896
—Federal rulemaking portal: http://www.regulations.gov. The rule is listed under the agency name “Bureau of Indian Affairs.” The rule has been assigned Docket ID: BIA-2009-0001. If you would like to submit comments through the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal, go to http://www.regulations.gov and do the following. Go to the box entitled “Enter Keyword or ID,” type in “BIA-2009-0001,” and click the “Search” button. The next screen will display the Docket Search Results for the rulemaking. If you click on BIA-2009-0001, you can view this rule and submit a comment. You can also view any supporting material and any comments submitted by others.
—E-mail: Michele.Singer@bia.gov. Include the number 1076-AF07 in the subject line of the message.
—Fax: (505) 563-3811. Include the number 1076-AF07 in the subject line of the message.
—Mail: Michele Singer, Office of Regulatory Affairs & Collaborative Action, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1001 Indian School Road, NW., Suite 312, Albuquerque, NM 87104. Include the number 1076-AF07 in the subject line of the message.
—Hand delivery: Michele Singer, Office of Regulatory Affairs & Collaborative Action, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1001 Indian School Road, NW., Suite 312, Albuquerque, NM 87104. Include the number 1076-AF07 in the subject line of the message.
We cannot ensure that comments received after the close of the comment period (see DATES) will be included in the docket for this rulemaking and considered. Comments set to an address other than those listed above will not be included in the docket for this rulemaking.
4. Recourse To Avoid Potential Diminishment or Destruction of Permanent Improvements Pending Probate
On November 13, 2008, the U.S. Department of the Interior published a final rule related to Indian trust management in the areas of probate, probate hearings and appeals, Tribal probate codes, and life estates and future interests in Indian land (73 FR 67256). The final rule updated regulations to, among other things, implement ILCA/AIPRA. On November 20, 2008, Congress passed a bill that made several changes to ILCA/AIPRA. On December 2, 2008, the President signed the bill into law. See Public Law 110-453. This interim final rule updates the affected regulatory provisions to reflect the changes that Public Law 110-453 made to ILCA, as amended by AIPRA.
There are two main subjects covered by this interim final rule: purchase at probate and the treatment of permanent improvements. This interim final rule also makes additional, non-substantive clarifications.Start Printed Page 7501
Public Law 110-453 amended statutory provisions regarding the purchase at probate of small undivided interests. Previously, ILCA/AIPRA had stated that an heir's consent was not required for the purchase of an interest that would pass to the heir through intestate succession if the interest passing was less than 5 percent of the entire undivided ownership in the parcel. The public law changed ILCA/AIPRA, to provide that the heir's consent is not required for the purchase of an interest, under specified conditions, where the decedent's interest in the parcel, rather than the interest passing to the heir, is less than 5 percent of the entire undivided ownership in the parcel.
The conditions specified in the public law for purchase without consent are that: (1) The interest is passing by intestate succession; (2) the decedent's interest in the land represents less than 5 percent of the entire undivided ownership in the parcel; (3) either the Secretary, under the Indian Land Consolidation Program on behalf of the Tribe with jurisdiction over the parcel, or the Tribe itself, purchases the interest; (4) the heir or surviving spouse is not living on the parcel; and (5) if the Tribe is the purchaser, the heir or surviving spouse is not a member or eligible to be a member of the Tribe.
Therefore, under the changes made by the public law, the consent of an heir is not required for purchase of an interest at probate that would pass via intestate succession, if the decedent's interest is less than 5 percent of the entire undivided ownership in the parcel, and if the Secretary or the Indian Tribe with jurisdiction, under the circumstances explained above, purchases the interest.
To address this statutory change, this interim final rule revises 43 CFR 30.163 to change the threshold for consent to whether the decedent owns less than 5 percent of the entire undivided ownership in the parcel, and to incorporate the new limitations regarding who may purchase at probate without consent.
Public Law 110-453 amended ILCA/AIPRA to specify what happens to permanent improvements when someone dies owning both trust land, or an interest in trust land, and a permanent improvement, or an interest in the permanent improvement, attached to that trust land.
The Public Law established a rule of descent for permanent improvements attached to trust or restricted property where the decedent owns an interest in both the permanent improvement and the underlying trust or restricted property. The rule of descent is that the decedent's interest in any permanent improvement attached to trust property will descend with the decedent's interests in the underlying trust property, where the decedent died intestate. This rule of descent will apply only if a Tribal probate code approved pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 2205, or approved consolidation agreement does not provide for a different descent. If a Tribal probate code approved pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 2205 or approved consolidation agreement specifies how permanent improvements will descend, then that code or agreement will govern. If there is a renunciation, then the person receiving the interest in the underlying trust or restricted land under the renunciation will also receive the interest in the permanent improvement.
The rule of descent applies only to decedents who died on or after December 2, 2008 (the effective date of Pub. L. 110-453). Therefore, if a decedent owned an interest in a parcel that is trust or restricted property, and also owned an interest in the house on that parcel, then ownership of the decedent's interest in the house passes to the heir(s) receiving the decedent's interest in the parcel, if (1) The decedent died on or after December 2, 2008; (2) there is no applicable and approved Tribal probate code or consolidation agreement among the heirs stating otherwise; and (3) the heir(s) have not renounced the interest in the parcel.
Public Law 110-453 also amended ILCA/AIPRA to establish a presumption for permanent improvements attached to trust or restricted property where the decedent owned an interest in both the permanent improvement and the underlying trust or restricted property. When a decedent dies with a valid will that devises the decedent's interests in trust land, the presumption is that the devise includes the interest of the decedent in any permanent improvements attached to that trust land.
The presumption applies only to decedents who died on or after December 2, 2008. Therefore, if a decedent owned an interest in a parcel that is trust or restricted property, and also owned an interest in the house on that parcel, then ownership of the decedent's interest in the house passes to the devisee(s) receiving the decedent's interest in the parcel, if (1) the decedent died on or after December 2, 2008; and (2) the will does not expressly provide otherwise.
As a general rule, the Department considers permanent improvements to be non-trust property, and OHA does not probate them. The Department does not keep an inventory of permanent improvements on trust or restricted lands, nor is the Department responsible for maintaining the covered permanent improvements on trust lands. Nevertheless, in cases where the decedent died on or after December 2, 2008, the Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) and Indian Probate Judges (IPJs) will include in probate orders a general statement of the substantive law of descent or devise of permanent improvements. The orders will determine the heirs or devisees of trust property and direct its distribution, as usual. The courts of competent jurisdiction that normally probate non-trust property (i.e., Tribal and State courts) would then apply the substantive rules of descent or devise, as stated in ILCA/AIPRA, to any non-trust permanent improvements, based on the ALJ's or IPJ's determination of heirs or devisees and their respective interests.
If the Tribal or State court has already completed the probate of the decedent's non-trust property by the time the ALJ or IPJ issues a probate order, the heirs or devisees may have the opportunity to petition the Tribal or State court to reopen the estate, if necessary, to reflect the proper descent or devise of the decedent's interest in any non-trust permanent improvements.
The interim final rule changes “trust estate” to “estate” in several sections: 25 CFR 15.1, 15.2 (definition of “you or I”), 15.12; 43 CFR 4.320, 30.100, 30.101 (definition or “you or I”), 30.110, 30.140. This is not a substantive change. This change has been made because “estate” is already defined to mean “the trust or restricted land and trust personalty owned by the decedent at the time of death,” making the phrase “trust estate” redundant.Start Printed Page 7502
In the definition of “summary probate proceeding,” the word “does” is changed to “did” to correct the tense. This is not a substantive change; it is merely a grammatical change that is appropriate because the threshold amount will be determined as of a past date (the date of death).
The interim final rule deletes references to “estate” in this section to eliminate the redundancy in the phrase “trust or restricted land or personalty in an estate” and to better explain what the Secretary probates. For consistency, the interim final rule also changes the heading to this section from “Will the Secretary probate all the land and assets in an estate?” to “What assets will the Secretary probate?” This change clarifies what the Secretary probates by explaining what is in an estate, rather than referring to the term.
This section addresses what items the agency must include in the probate file. Paragraph (e) requires that a certified inventory of trust and restricted land be included, and states that such inventory should include “accurate and adequate descriptions of all land and appurtenances.” The interim final rule deletes the phrase “and appurtenances” because BIA does not maintain records on appurtenances, and appurtenances have not been, and are not included in certified inventories. Deleting “and appurtenances” is consistent with the change that Public Law 110-453 made to the definition of “land” in 25 U.S.C. 2201(7). That definition used to read, “any real property, and includes within its meaning for purposes of this Act improvements permanently affixed to real property.” Congress deleted the reference to “improvements permanently affixed to real property,” and the definition now reads simply, “any real property.”
This section clarifies that a Tribal probate order, where one exists, is among the documents that the Department may request to complete the probate file. While not binding on the Department, the Tribal probate order may provide relevant information regarding heirship, paternity, adoption, marriage, divorce, or other relevant matters. OHA may also refer to the Tribal probate order for determinations about non-trust permanent improvements that may be relevant in cases involving consolidation agreements and renunciations.
The interim final rule amends this section to more accurately reflect the actual process as set forth in 43 CFR 30.233, wherein the ALJ provides the record to the LTRO after the probate is completed (rather than the agency providing the record to the LTRO). In the event of an appeal to the Interior Board of Indian Appeals, the ALJ or IPJ must also provide a transcript of the hearing to the LTRO, for inclusion in the record.
The interim final rule also updates the language, deleting the verb “conform” and instead using plain language to explain that the LTRO copies the record before sending the original to the Board and a copy to the agency to have available for public inspection. Where the current regulation specifies that the LTRO must send the original record to the Board by certified mail, the interim final rule adds “or other service with delivery confirmation” to allow for the use of delivery services such as DHL, FedEx, and UPS.
In addition to replacing “trust estate” with “estate” in paragraph (a)(6), the interim final rule adds “or restricted” to clarify that probate of the estates of Indians who die possessed of trust or restricted property are governed by this part.
The interim final rule adds a definition of “covered permanent improvement” to this section to incorporate the definition from Public Law 110-453, which establishes rules of descent and devise.
In the definition for “summary probate proceeding,” the word “does” is changed to “did” to correct the tense. This is the same change made to the definition in 25 CFR 15.2, and is not a substantive change.
As in 25 CFR 15.10, the interim final rule deletes references to “estate” in this section to eliminate the redundancy in the phrase “trust or restricted land or personalty in an estate” and to better explain what the Secretary probates. For consistency, the interim final rule also changes the heading to this section from “Will the Secretary probate all the land and assets in an estate?” to “What assets will the Secretary probate?” This change clarifies what the Secretary probates by explaining what is in an estate, rather than referring to the term.
The interim final rule deletes the word “interests” from this section as superfluous because the phrase “trust property” includes any interests therein. This is not a substantive change.
The interim final rule changes “trust or restricted property” to “estate,” and changes “estate” to “property,” for clarity.
The interim final rule adds the word “the” where it was inadvertently omitted.
The interim final rule adds that a consolidation agreement may include the interests of the decedent, the devisees, or eligible heirs in any covered permanent improvements attached to a parcel of trust or restricted land in the decedent's trust inventory. The rule also adds “devisees or” where it was inadvertently omitted and simplifies the language by omitting the statutory references.
The interim final rule deletes the phrase “of a trust or restricted estate” because the meaning of this phrase is already captured in “estate.”
The interim final rule rewrites this section to incorporate the change Public Law 110-453 made to the threshold for consent. The threshold is now measured by the decedent's percentage of ownership in a parcel, rather than the interest passing to the heir. The revised section also incorporates the change Start Printed Page 7503Public Law 110-453 made allowing only the Tribe with jurisdiction over the interest or the Department, on behalf of the Tribe with jurisdiction, to purchase certain intestate interests without consent.
The interim final rule incorporates the change Public Law 110-453 made to ILCA/AIPRA, which specifies that, if multiple eligible purchasers make requests to purchase at probate, the heir, devisee, or surviving spouse may select the eligible purchaser.
The interim final rule updates a section number reference to accommodate the new section 30.236.
The interim final rule adds a new section to detail how “covered permanent improvements,” which are defined in section 30.101, are treated. Remaining sections are renumbered to accommodate the insertion of this new section.
The interim final rule corrects a paragraph numbering error that resulted in two paragraphs (a)(2); the second has been renumbered (a)(3).
This interim final rule is not a significant rule and the Office of Management and Budget has not reviewed this rule under Executive Order 12866. This rule implements statutory changes regarding permanent improvements owned by a decedent on trust or restricted property owned by the decedent and purchased at probate.
The changes regarding permanent improvements incorporate statutory changes regarding the rule of descent, in intestate cases, and a presumption, in testate cases, for permanent improvements attached to trust or restricted land, where the decedent owns an interest in both the permanent improvement and underlying trust or restricted land.
The changes regarding purchase at probate specify when an heir or surviving spouse's interest may be purchased at probate without his or her consent, generally restricting when such purchases without consent may be made. First, this interim final rule states that a purchase without consent at probate may be made only if the decedent's interest was less than 5 percent of the entire undivided interests in the parcel, which will be true in fewer cases than if the measurement were whether the interest passing to the heir is less than 5 percent of the entire undivided interest in the parcel. Second, this interim final rule restricts who may purchase without consent to the Secretary when purchasing the interest under the Indian Land Consolidation program on behalf of the Tribe with jurisdiction over the parcel, and the Tribe itself, in those cases in which the heir or surviving spouse is not a member or eligible to be a member of the Tribe.
(1) This rule will not have an effect of $100 million or more on the economy or adversely affect in a material way the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or Tribal governments or communities. This rule will have no effect on the economy because it merely updates the regulations to reflect changes in ILCA/AIPRA made by Congress.
(2) This rule will not create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency because the Department is the only agency with authority for handling Indian trust management issues related to probate. This rule does not affect the jurisdiction of Tribal and State courts over permanent improvements.
(3) This rule does involve entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights or obligations of their recipients. The revisions have no budgetary effects and do not affect the rights or obligations of any recipients.
(4) These regulatory changes directly implement statutory provisions and do not raise novel legal or policy issues.
Overall, the impact of the rule is confined primarily to the Federal Government, individual Indians, and Tribes, and does not impose a compliance burden on the economy generally. Accordingly, this rule is not a “significant regulatory action” from an economic standpoint, nor does it otherwise create any inconsistencies, materially alter any budgetary impacts, or raise novel legal or policy issues.
This interim final rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. It will not result in the expenditure by State, local, or Tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector of $100 million or more in any one year. Because this rule is limited to the probate of Indian trust estates, land, and assets within the United States and within Tribal communities, it will not result in a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, Federal, State, or local government agencies, or geographic regions. Nor will this rule have significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of the U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises.
Under the criteria in Executive Order 12630, this interim final rule does not affect individual property rights protected by the Fifth Amendment nor does it involves a compensable “taking.” Start Printed Page 7504A takings implication assessment is not required.
Under the criteria in Executive Order 13132, this interim final rule has no substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. This rule implements a statutory change, in Public Law 110-453, which establishes a Federal rule of descent and a presumption for interpretation of wills with regard to permanent improvements on trust or restricted land owned by a decedent. This Federal rule of descent and presumption for interpretation of wills will override any State rule of descent or presumption; however, the State (through the county courts) will continue to have jurisdiction to order the distribution of non-trust permanent improvements (in the absence of Tribal jurisdiction).
In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994, “Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal Governments,” Executive Order 13175 (59 FR 22951, November 6, 2000), and 512 DM 2, we have evaluated the potential effects on Federally recognized Indian Tribes and Indian trust assets and have identified potential effects. The Department engaged Tribal government representatives throughout development of the final rule that is being amended by this interim final rule. During those consultations, Tribal representatives requested one of the changes that Congress passed and that this interim final rule implements, specifically, that the consent requirements for purchase at probate be measured with reference to the decedent's ownership in the parcel, rather than with reference to the interest passing to the heir. Additional Tribal consultation regarding this rule is not required because it merely updates the regulations to reflect changes in ILCA/AIPRA made by Congress, amends internal agency procedures and makes minor technical changes.
OMB Control No. 1076-0169 currently authorizes the collections of information contained in 25 CFR part 15. OMB Control No. 1076-0169 authorizes 1,037,433 burden hours. This interim final rule clarifies an information collection requirement in section 15.203. This section requires Tribes to provide “any information” that BIA requires or requests to complete the probate file, and lists, as examples, a few specific items of information may be required or requested. The interim final rule adds to the specific items of information that may be required or requested a copy of the Tribal probate order, where one exists. This information collection requirement does not add to the number of responses, respondents, or type of information collected, and the time required to collect these additional items is covered by the 1,037,433 burden hours authorized under OMB Control No. 1076-0169. As such, a new submission under the Paperwork Reduction Act is not required. If you have comments on this collection, please submit your comments to the person identified in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.
This rule is being published as an interim final rule with request for comment, and without prior notice and comment, under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A) and (B). Under section 553(b)(A), rules of agency procedure or practice, such as the clarification concerning evidence the agency must provide, do not require a notice of proposed rulemaking.
Under section 553(b)(B), the Department for good cause finds that prior notice and comment are unnecessary because this rule amends the existing rule to conform with statutory changes and eliminates inconsistencies between the Department's probate regulations and ILCA/AIPRA as amended by Public Law 110-453. Prior notice and comment are also unnecessary with respect to the balance of the changes effected by this rule because they are minor technical amendments.
Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Department for good cause finds that this rule should be made effective upon publication in the Federal Register, rather than after the usual 30-day Start Printed Page 7505period. This finding is based on the reasons explained above.
We have requested comments on this interim final rule. We will review any comments received and, by a future publication in the Federal Register, address any comments received and confirm the interim final rule with or without change or initiate a proposed rulemaking.
For the reasons given in the preamble, the Department of the Interior amends chapter 1 of title 25 and subtitle A of title 43 of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows.
2. Revise § 15.1(a) to read as follows:
3. In § 15.2, revise the definition of “Summary probate proceeding” and revise the definition of “You or I” to read as follows:
4. Revise § 15.10 to read as follows:
What assets will the Secretary probate?
5. In § 15.12, revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:
What happens if assets in an estate may be diminished or destroyed while the probate is pending?
6. Revise § 15.202(e) to read as follows:
What items must the agency include in the probate file?
What information must Tribes provide BIA to complete the probate file?
TITLE 43—PUBLIC LANDS: INTERIOR Start Part
9. Revise § 4.320 to read as follows:
10. Revise § 4.324 to read as follows:
§ 4.324
(2) The LTRO where the original record was filed under § 30.233 of this subtitle.
(2) Make two complete copies of the original record, including the transcript and table of contents;Start Printed Page 7506
(e) Any party may file an objection to the record. The party must file his or her objection with the Board within 15 days after receiving the notice of docketing under § 4.325.
(1) An interlocutory appeal under § 4.28;
(2) An appeal from a decision under §§ 30.126 or 30.127 regarding modification of an inventory of an estate; or
(3) An appeal from a decision under § 30.124 determining that a person for whom a probate proceeding is sought to be opened is not deceased.
12. Revise § 30.100(a) to read as follows:
How do I use this part?
(1) All proceedings in part 30 §§ 30.100 through 30.102.
(2) Claims against probate estate §§ 30.140 through 30.148.
(3) Commencement of probate §§ 30.110 through 30.115.
(4) Consolidation of interests §§ 30.150 through 30.153.
(5) Formal probate proceedings before an administrative law judge or Indian probate judge §§ 30.210 through 30.246.
(6) Probate of estates of Indians who die possessed of trust or restricted property All sections except §§ 30.260 through 30.274.
(7) Purchases at probate §§ 30.160 through 30.175.
(8) Renunciation of interests §§ 30.180 through 30.188.
(9) Summary probate proceedings before an attorney decision maker §§ 30.200 through 30.207.
(10) Tribal purchase of certain property interests of decedents under special laws applicable to particular Tribes §§ 30.260 through 30.274.
13. In § 30.101, add in alphabetical order a new definition of “Covered permanent improvement” and revise the definitions of “Summary probate proceeding” and “You or I” to read as follows:
14. Revise § 30.102 to read as follows:
15. Revise § 30.110 to read as follows:
When does OHA commence a probate case?
16. In § 30.128, revise the introductory text and paragraph (a) to read as follows:
§ 30.128
What happens if an error in BIA's estate inventory is alleged?
Start Printed Page 7507 Start Amendment Part
17. Revise § 30.140 introductory text to read as follows:
§ 30.140
Where and when may I file a claim against the probate estate?
18. Revise § 30.142 to read as follows:
§ 30.142
Will a judge authorize payment of a claim from the estate if the decedent's non-trust property was or is available?
19. Revise § 30.143(b)(1) to read as follows:
§ 30.143
Are there any categories of claims that will not be allowed?
20. In § 30.151, revise the introductory text and paragraphs (a) and (b) to read as follows:
§ 30.151
May the devisees or eligible heirs in a probate proceeding consolidate their interests?
21. In § 30.160, revise the introductory text to read as follows:
§ 30.160
What may be purchased at probate?
22. Revise § 30.163 to read as follows:
§ 30.163
Is consent required for a purchase at probate?
23. Revise § 30.167(a) to read as follows:
§ 30.167
How does OHA decide whether to approve a purchase at probate?
(1) In cases where the sale of the interest does not require consent under § 30.163(b), OHA will sell the interest to the eligible purchaser.
24. Revise § 30.170(c) to read as follows:
§ 30.170
What may I do if I disagree with the judge's determination to approve a purchase at probate?
(c) If the objection is not timely filed, the judge will issue an order denying the request for review as untimely and will furnish copies of the order to the interested parties and the agencies. If you disagree with the decision of the judge as to whether your objection was timely filed, you may file a petition for rehearing under § 30.238 after the judge issues a decision under § 30.235.
§§ 30.236 through 30.245
[Redesignated as §§ 30.237 through 30.246]
25a. Redesignate §§ 30.236 through 30.245 as §§ 30.237 through 30.246.
25b. Add § 30.236 to read as follows:
§ 30.236
How are covered permanent improvements treated?
26. Revise newly redesignated § 30.238(a) to read as follows:
§ 30.238
May I file a petition for rehearing if I disagree with the judge's decision in the formal probate hearing?
(a) If you are adversely affected by the decision, you may file with the judge a written petition for rehearing within 30 days after the date on which the decision was mailed under § 30.237.
§ 30.243
27. In newly redesignated § 30.243, redesignate the second paragraph (a)(2) as paragraph (a)(3).
28. Revise § 30.262(a)(1) to read as follows:
§ 30.262
When may a Tribe exercise its statutory option to purchase?
(1) Within 60 days after mailing of the probate decision unless a petition for rehearing has been filed under § 30.238 or a demand for hearing has been filed under § 30.268; or
29. Revise § 30.266(b)(3) to read as follows:
§ 30.266
When is a final decision issued?
(3) A copy of the probate decision, together with a copy of the valuation report, must be distributed to all interested parties under § 30.237.
[FR Doc. 2011-2896 Filed 2-9-11; 8:45 am]