U.S. CODE

U.S. Code

§ 1300n-2. Restoration of Federal recognition, rights, and privileges

(a) Federal recognition

Federal recognition is hereby restored to the Tribe. Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, all laws and regulations of general application to Indians and nations, tribes, or bands of Indians that are not inconsistent with any specific provision of this subchapter shall be applicable to the Tribe and its members.

(b) Restoration of rights and privileges

Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, all rights and privileges of the Tribe and its members under any Federal treaty, Executive order, agreement, or statute, or under any other authority which were diminished or lost under the Act of August 18, 1958 (Public Law 85–671; 72 Stat. 619), are hereby restored, and the provisions of such Act shall be inapplicable to the Tribe and its members after December 27, 2000.

(1) In general

Without regard to the existence of a reservation, the Tribe and its members shall be eligible, on and after December 27, 2000, for all Federal services and benefits furnished to federally recognized Indian tribes or their members. For the purposes of Federal services and benefits available to members of federally recognized Indian tribes residing on a reservation, members of the Tribe residing in the Tribe’s service area shall be deemed to be residing on a reservation.

(2) Relation to other laws

The eligibility for or receipt of services and benefits under paragraph (1) by a tribe or individual shall not be considered as income, resources, or otherwise when determining the eligibility for or computation of any payment or other benefit to such tribe, individual, or household under—

(A) any financial aid program of the United States, including grants and contracts subject to the Indian Self-Determination Act [25 U.S.C. 450f et seq.]; or

(B) any other benefit to which such tribe, household, or individual would otherwise be entitled under any Federal or federally assisted program.

(d) Hunting, fishing, trapping, gathering, and water rights

Nothing in this subchapter shall expand, reduce, or affect in any manner any hunting, fishing, trapping, gathering, or water rights of the Tribe and its members.

(e) Certain rights not altered

Except as specifically provided in this subchapter, nothing in this subchapter shall alter any property right or obligation, any contractual right or obligation, or any obligation for taxes levied.

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