Joint resolution to provide for the establishment of the American Indian Policy Review Commission.
PL 93-580 (S.J.Res.133), enacted 01/02/1975

1910 
PUBLIC LAW 93-580-JAN. 2, 1975 
[88 
STAT. 
Effective date, 
5 u s e 552a 
note. 
Appropriation. 
5 u s e 552a 
note. 
SEC. 8. The provisions of this Act shall be effective on and after the 
date of enactment, except that the amendments made by sections 3 and 
4 shall become effective 270 days following the day on which this Act 
is enacted. 
SEC. 9. There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the pro-
visions of section 5 of this Act for fiscal years 1975,1976, and 1977 the 
sum of $1,500,000, except that not more than $750,000 may be expended 
during any such fiscal year. 
Approved December 31, 1974. 
January 2, 1975 
[S. J. Res. 133] 
Public Law 93-580 
JOINT RESOLUTION 
To provide for the establishment of the American Indian Policy Review 
Commission. 
2 5 u s e 174 
note. 
CONOUESSIONAL FINDINGS 
The Congress, after careful review of the Federal Government's 
historical and special legal relationship with American Indian people, 
finds that— 
(a) the policy implementing this relationship has shifted and 
changed with changing administrations and passing years, with-
out apparent rational design and without a consistent goal to 
achieve Indian self-sufficiency; 
(b) there has been no general comprehensive review of conduct 
of Indian affairs by the United States nor a coherent investigation 
of the many problems and issues involved in the conduct of Indian 
affairs since the 1928 Meriam Report conducted by the Institute 
for Government Research; and 
(c) in carrying out its responsibilities under its plenary power 
over Indian affairs, it is imperative that the Congress now cause 
such a comprehensive review of Indian affairs to be conducted. 
American In-
dian Policy Re-
view Commis-
sion. 
Establishment. 
2 5 u s e 174 
note. 
Membership. 
DECLARATION OF PURPOSE 
Congress declares that it is timely and essential to conduct a com-
prehensive review of the historical and legal developments underlying 
the Indians' unique relationship with the Federal Government in 
order to determine the nature and scope of necessary revisions in the 
formulation of policies and programs for the benefit of Indians. 
Resolved hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That— 
(a) In order to carry out the purposes described in the preamble 
hereof and as further set out herein, there is hereby created the Amer-
ican Indian Policy Review Commission, hereinafter referred to as the 
"Commission". 
(b) The Commission shall be composed of eleven members, as 
follows: 
(1) three Members of the Senate appointed by the President 
pro tempore of the Senate, two from the majority party and one 
from the minority party; 
(2) three Members of the House of Representatives appointed 
by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, two from the 
majority party and one from the minority party; and 
(3) five Indian members as provided in subsection (c) of this 
section. 
88 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 93-580-JAN. 2, 1975 
1911 
(c) At its organization meeting, the members of the Commission 
appointed pursuant to section (b) (1) and (b) (2) of this section shall 
elect from among their members a Chairman and a Vice Chairman. 
Immediately thereafter, such members shall select, by majority vote, 
five Indian members of the Commission from the Indian community, 
as follows: 
(1) three members shall be selected from Indian tribes that 
are recognized by the Federal Government; 
(2) one member shall be selected to represent urban Indians; 
and 
(3) one member shall be selected who is a member of an Indian 
group not recognized by the Federal Government. 
None of the Indian members shall be employees of the Federal 
Government concurrently with their term of service on the Commis-
sion nor shall there be more than one member from any one Indian 
tribe. 
(d) Vacancies in the membership of the Commission shall not affect 
vacancies. 
the power of the remaining members to execute the functions of the 
Commission and shall be filled in the same manner as in the case of 
the original appointment. 
(e) Six members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but 
a smaller number, as determined by the Commission, may conduct 
hearings: Provided^ That at least one congressional member must be 
present at any Commission hearing. 
(f) Members of the Congress who are members of the Commission 
shall serve without any compensation other than that received for 
their services as Members of Congress, but they may be reimbursed 
for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred by them 
in the performance of duties vested in the Commission. 
(g) The Indian members of the Commission shall receive compen-
sation for each day such members are engaged in the actual perform-
ance of duties vested in the Commission at a daily rate not to exceed 
the daily equivalent of the maximum annual compensation that may 
be paid to employees of the United States Senate generally. Each such 
member may be reimbursed for travel expenses, including per diem 
in lieu of subsistence. 
SEC. 2. It shall be the duty of the Commission to make a compre- 
investigation 
hensive investigation and study of Indian affairs and the scope of ^'2Vus'c^'i74 
such duty shall include, but shall not be limited to— 
note. 
(1) a study and analysis of the Constitution, treaties, statutes, 
judicial interpretations, and Executive orders to determine the 
attributes of the unique relationship between the Federal Govern-
ment and Indian tribes and the land and other resources they 
possess; 
(2) a review of the policies, practices, and structure of the 
Federal agencies charged with protecting Indian resources and 
providing services to Indians: Provided^ That such review shall 
include a management study of the Bureau of Indian Affairs 
' 
utilizing experts from the public and private sector; 
(3) an examination of the statutes and procedures for granting 
Federal recognition and extending services to Indian communi-
ties and individuals; 
(4) the collection and compilation of data necessary to under-
stand the extent of Indian needs which presently exist or will 
exist in the near future; 
(5) an exploration of the feasibility of alternative elective 
bodies which could fully represent Indians at the national level 
of Government to provide Indians with maximum participation 
in policy formation and program development; 
1912 
PUBLIC LAW 93-580-JAN. 2, 1975 
[88 STAT. 
(6) a consideration of alternative methods to strengthen tribal 
government so that the tribes might fully represent their members 
and, at the same time, guarantee the fundamental rights of indi-
vidual Indians; and 
(7) the recommendation of such modification of existing laws, 
procedures, regulations, policies, and practices as will, in the 
judgment of the Commission, best serve to carry out the policy 
and declaration of purposes as set out above. 
POWERS or THE COMMISSION 
25 use 174 
gj,Q^ 3^ u\ 
xhe Commission or, on authorization of the Commis-
note 
• 
^ ^ 
. 
' 
sion, any committee of two or more members is authorized, for the 
purposes of carrying out the provisions of this resolution, to sit and 
act at such places and times during the sessions, recesses, and 
adjourned periods of Congress, to require by subpena or otherwise 
the attendance of such witnesses and the production of such books, 
papers, and documents, to administer such oaths and affirmations, to 
take such testimony, to procure such printing and binding, and to 
make such expenditures, as it deems advisable. The Commission may 
make such rules respecting its organization and procedures as it deems 
necessary, except that no recommendation shall be reported from the 
Commission unless a majority of the Commission assent. Upon the 
authorization of the Commission subpenas may be issued over the 
signature of the Chairman of the Commission or of any member desig-
nated by him or the Commission, and may be served by such person 
or persons as may be designated by such Chairman or member. The 
Chairman of the Commission or any member thereof may administer 
oaths or affirmations to witnesses, 
(b) The provisions of sections 192 through 194, inclusive, of title 2, 
United States Code, shall apply in the case of any failure of any 
witness to comply with any subpena when summoned under this 
section. 
(c) The Commission is authorized to secure from any department, 
agency, or instrumentality of the executive branch of the Government 
any information it deems necessary to carry out its functions under 
this resolution and each such department, agency, or instrumentality 
is authorized and directed to furnish such information to the Com-
mission and to conduct such studies and surveys as may be requested 
by the Chairman or the Vice Chairman when acting as Chairman. 
Confidential 
(d) If the Commlsslou requires of any witness or of any Govern-
materiais. 
meut ageucy the production of any materials which have theretofore 
been submitted to a Government agency on a confidential basis, and 
the confidentiality of those materials is protected by statute, the mate-
rial so produced shall be held in confidence by the Commission. 
INVESTIGATING TASK FORCES 
25 use 174 
gj,^ 4 
^j^^ /^g soon as practicable after the organization of the 
Commission, the Commission shall, for the purpose of gathering 
facts and other information necessary to carry out its responsibilities 
pursuant to section 2 of this resolution, appoint investigating task 
forces to be composed of three persons, a majority of whom shall be 
of Indian descent. Such task forces shall be appointed and directed 
to make preliminary investigations and studies in the various areas 
of Indian affairs, including, but not limited to— 
(1) trust responsibility and Federal-Indian 
relationship, 
including treaty review; 
(2) tribal government; 
(3) Federal administration and structure of Indian affairs; 
88 STAT. 3 
PUBLIC LAW 93-580-JAN. 2, 1975 
1913 
(4) Federal, State, and tribal jurisdiction; 
(5) Indian education; 
(6) Indian health; 
(7) reservation development; 
(8) urban, rural nonreservation, terminated, and nonfederally 
recognized Indians; and 
(9) Indian law revision, consolidation, and codification. 
(b) (i) Such task forces shall have such powers and authorities, in 
carrying out their responsibilities, as shall be conferred upon them by 
the Commission, except that they shall have no power to issue sub-
penas or to administer oaths or affirmations: Provided^ That they may 
call upon the Commission or any committee thereof, in the (Commis-
sion's discretion, to assist them in securing any testimony, materials, 
documents, or other information necessary for their investigation and 
study. 
(ii) The Commission shall require each task force to provide written 
quarterly reports to the Commission on the progress of the task force 
and, in the discretion of the Commission, an oral presentation of such 
report. In order to insure the correlation of data in the final report 
and recommendations of the Commission, the Director of the Com-
mission shall coordinate the independent efforts of the task force 
groups. 
(c) The Commission may fix the compensation of the members of 
such task forces at a rate not to exceed the daily equivalent of the 
highest rate of annual compensation that may be paid to employees of 
the United States Senate generally. 
(d) The Commission shall, pursuant to section 6, insure that the 
task forces are provided with adequate staff support in addition to that 
authorized under section 6(a), to carry out the projects assigned to 
them. 
(e) Each task force appointed by the Commission shall, within one 
year from the date of the appointment of its members, submit to the 
Commission its final report of investigation and study together with 
recommendations thereon. 
REPORT o r THE COMMISSION 
SEC. 5. (a) Upon the report of the task forces made pursuant to ^^^\ ^^^ ^^'^ 
section 4 hereof, the Commission shall review^ and compile such reports, 
together with its independent findings, into a final report. Within six t^f ^
^ "p'^s^^f"":*" 
months after the reports of the investigating task forces, the Com- the senate and ° 
mission shall submit its final report, together with recommendations speaker of the 
thereon, to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House 
°"^^' 
of Representatives. The Commission shall cease to exist six months 
Termination. 
after submission of said final report but not later than June 80, 1977. 
All records and papers of the Commission shall thereupon be delivered 
to the Administrator of the General Services Administration for 
deposit in the Archives of the United States. 
(b) Any recommendation of the Commission involving the enact-
ment of legislation shall be referred by the President of the Senate 
or the Speaker of the House of Representatives to the appropriate 
standing committee of the Senate and House of Representatives, 
respectively, and such committees shall make a report thereon to the 
respective house within two years of such referral. 
1914 
PUBLIC LAW 93-581-JAN. 2, 1975 
[88 
STAT. 
25 u s e 174 
Appropriation. 
25 u s e 174 
note. 
COMMISSION 
STAFF 
SEC. 6. (a) The Commission may by record vote of a majority of 
the Commission members, appoint a Director of the Commission, a 
General Counsel, one professional staff member, and three clerical 
assistants. The Commission shall prescribe the duties and responsi-
bilities of such staff members and fix their compensation at per annum 
gross rates not in excess of the per annum rates of comoensation pre-
scribed for employees of standing committees of the Senate. 
(b) In carrying out any of its functions under this resolution, the 
Commission is authorized to utilize the services, information, facili-
ties, and personnel of the Executive departments and agencies of the 
Government, and to procure the temporary or intermittent services 
of experts or consultants or organizations thereof by contract at rates 
of compensation not in excess of the daily equivalent of the highest 
per annum rate of compensation that may be paid to employees of the 
Senate generally. 
SEC. 7. There is hereby authorized to be appropriated a sum not to 
exceed $2,500,000 to carry out the provisions of this resolution. Until 
such time as funds are appropriated pursuant to this section, salaries 
and expenses of the Commission shall be paid from the contingent 
fund of the Senate upon vouchers approved by the Chairman. To the 
extent that any payments are made from the contingent fund of the 
Senate prior to the time appropriation is made, such payments shall 
be chargeable against the maximum amount authorized herein. 
Approved January 2, 1975. 
January 2, 1975 
[S. J. Res. 262] 
Public Law 93-581 
JOINT RESOLUTION 
Authorizing the Architect of the Capitol to permit certain temporary and perma-
nent construction work on the Capitol Grounds in connection with the erection 
of an addition to a building on privately owned property adjacent to the 
Capitol Grounds. 
U.S. Capitol 
Grounds. 
Temporary and 
permanent con-
struction, authori-
zation. 
Resolved hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled^ 
SECTION 1. (a) The Architect of the Capitol is hereby authorized to 
permit (1) the performance within the United States Capitol Grounds 
of excavation, temporary construction, or other work, that may be nec-
essary for the construction of an addition to the national headquarters 
building, and other related facilities, of the International Brotherhood 
of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen and Helpers on D Street 
Northwest between New Jersey Avenue Northwest and Louisiana Ave-
nue Northwest commencing at the westerly end of the existing head-
quarters building and extending westward to a point approximately 
thirty-five feet from the intersection of New Jersey Avenue and D 
Street Northwest, in the District of Columbia; and (2) the use of 
Capitol Grounds property located north of the street curb on D Street 
Northwest between New Jersey Avenue Northwest and Louisiana 
Avenue Northwest, for purposes of ingress and egress to and from the 
building site during such construction. No permanent construction 
shall extend into the United States Capitol Grounds except as other-
wise provided in subsection (b) of this section. 
(b) The Architect of the Capitol is hereby authorized to permit the 
following improvements of a permanent nature to be made on Capitol 
Grounds property located north of the street curb at D Street North-
west between New Jersey Avenue Northwest and Louisiana Avenue 
Northwest: