[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2408 Introduced in House (IH)]







107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 2408

 To provide equitable compensation to the Yankton Sioux Tribe of South 
Dakota and the Santee Sioux Tribe of Nebraska for the loss of value of 
                             certain lands.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 28, 2001

 Mr. Osborne introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
                         Committee on Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To provide equitable compensation to the Yankton Sioux Tribe of South 
Dakota and the Santee Sioux Tribe of Nebraska for the loss of value of 
                             certain lands.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Yankton Sioux Tribe and Santee Sioux 
Tribe Equitable Compensation Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
            (1) by enacting the Act of December 22, 1944, commonly 
        known as the ``Flood Control Act of 1944'' (58 Stat. 887, 
        chapter 665; 33 U.S.C. 701-1 et seq.) Congress approved the 
        Pick-Sloan Missouri River Basin program (referred to in this 
        section as the ``Pick-Sloan program'')--
                    (A) to promote the general economic development of 
                the United States;
                    (B) to provide for irrigation above Sioux City, 
                Iowa;
                    (C) to protect urban and rural areas from 
                devastating floods of the Missouri River; and
                    (D) for other purposes;
            (2) the waters impounded for the Fort Randall and Gavins 
        Point projects of the Pick-Sloan program have inundated the 
        fertile, wooded bottom lands along the Missouri River that 
        constituted the most productive agricultural and pastoral lands 
        of, and the homeland of, the members of the Yankton Sioux Tribe 
        and the Santee Sioux Tribe;
            (3) the Fort Randall project (including the Fort Randall 
        Dam and Reservoir) overlies the western boundary of the Yankton 
        Sioux Tribe Indian Reservation;
            (4) the Gavins Point project (including the Gavins Point 
        Dam and Reservoir) overlies the eastern boundary of the Santee 
        Sioux Tribe;
            (5) although the Fort Randall and Gavins Point projects are 
        major components of the Pick-Sloan program, and contribute to 
        the economy of the United States by generating a substantial 
        amount of hydropower and impounding a substantial quantity of 
        water, the reservations of the Yankton Sioux Tribe and the 
        Santee Sioux Tribe remain undeveloped;
            (6) the United States Army Corps of Engineers took the 
        Indian lands used for the Fort Randall and Gavins Point 
        projects by condemnation proceedings;
            (7) the Federal Government did not give the Yankton Sioux 
        Tribe and the Santee Sioux Tribe an opportunity to receive 
        compensation for direct damages from the Pick-Sloan program, 
        even though the Federal Government gave 5 Indian reservations 
        upstream from the reservations of those Indian tribes such an 
        opportunity;
            (8) the Yankton Sioux Tribe and the Santee Sioux Tribe did 
        not receive just compensation for the taking of productive 
        agricultural Indian lands through the condemnation referred to 
        in paragraph (6);
            (9) the settlement agreement that the United States entered 
        into with the Yankton Sioux Tribe and the Santee Sioux Tribe to 
        provide compensation for the taking by condemnation referred to 
        in paragraph (6) did not take into account the increase in 
        property values over the years between the date of taking and 
        the date of settlement; and
            (10) in addition to the financial compensation provided 
        under the settlement agreements referred to in paragraph (9)--
                    (A) the Yankton Sioux Tribe should receive an 
                aggregate amount equal to $23,023,743 for the loss 
                value of 2,851.40 acres of Indian land taken for the 
                Fort Randall Dam and Reservoir of the Pick-Sloan 
                program; and
                    (B) the Santee Sioux Tribe should receive an 
                aggregate amount equal to $4,789,010 for the loss value 
                of 593.10 acres of Indian land located near the Santee 
                village.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has the 
        meaning given that term in section 4(e) of the Indian Self-
        Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b(e)).
            (2) Santee sioux tribe.--The term ``Santee Sioux Tribe'' 
        means the Santee Sioux Tribe of Nebraska.
            (3) Yankton sioux tribe.--The term ``Yankton Sioux Tribe'' 
        means the Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota.

SEC. 4. YANKTON SIOUX TRIBE DEVELOPMENT TRUST FUND.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury of the 
United States a fund to be known as the ``Yankton Sioux Tribe 
Development Trust Fund'' (referred to in this section as the ``Fund''). 
The Fund shall consist of any amounts deposited in the Fund under this 
Act.
    (b) Funding.--On the first day of the 11th fiscal year that begins 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury 
shall, from the General Fund of the Treasury, deposit into the Fund 
established under subsection (a)--
            (1) $23,023,743; and
            (2) an additional amount that equals the amount of interest 
        that would have accrued on the amount described in paragraph 
        (1) if such amount had been invested in interest-bearing 
        obligations of the United States, or in obligations guaranteed 
        as to both principal and interest by the United States, on the 
        first day of the first fiscal year that begins after the date 
of enactment of this Act and compounded annually thereafter.
    (c) Investment of Trust Fund.--It shall be the duty of the 
Secretary of the Treasury to invest such portion of the Fund as is not, 
in the Secretary of the Treasury's judgment, required to meet current 
withdrawals. Such investments may be made only in interest-bearing 
obligations of the United States or in obligations guaranteed as to 
both principal and interest by the United States. The Secretary of the 
Treasury shall deposit interest resulting from such investments into 
the Fund.
    (d) Payment of Interest to Tribe.--
            (1) Withdrawal of interest.--Beginning on the first day of 
        the 11th fiscal year after the date of enactment of this Act 
        and, on the first day of each fiscal year thereafter, the 
        Secretary of the Treasury shall withdraw the aggregate amount 
        of interest deposited into the Fund for that fiscal year and 
        transfer that amount to the Secretary of the Interior for use 
        in accordance with paragraph (2). Each amount so transferred 
        shall be available without fiscal year limitation.
            (2) Payments to yankton sioux tribe.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary of the Interior 
                shall use the amounts transferred under paragraph (1) 
                only for the purpose of making payments to the Yankton 
                Sioux Tribe, as such payments are requested by that 
                Indian tribe pursuant to tribal resolution.
                    (B) Limitation.--Payments may be made by the 
                Secretary of the Interior under subparagraph (A) only 
                after the Yankton Sioux Tribe has adopted a tribal plan 
                under section 6.
                    (C) Use of payments by yankton sioux tribe.--The 
                Yankton Sioux Tribe shall use the payments made under 
                subparagraph (A) only for carrying out projects and 
                programs under the tribal plan prepared under section 
                6.
    (e) Transfers and Withdrawals.--Except as provided in subsections 
(c) and (d)(1), the Secretary of the Treasury may not transfer or 
withdraw any amount deposited under subsection (b).

SEC. 5. SANTEE SIOUX TRIBE DEVELOPMENT TRUST FUND.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury of the 
United States a fund to be known as the ``Santee Sioux Tribe 
Development Trust Fund'' (referred to in this section as the ``Fund''). 
The Fund shall consist of any amounts deposited in the Fund under this 
Act.
    (b) Funding.--On the first day of the 11th fiscal year that begins 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury 
shall, from the General Fund of the Treasury, deposit into the Fund 
established under subsection (a)--
            (1) $4,789,010; and
            (2) an additional amount that equals the amount of interest 
        that would have accrued on the amount described in paragraph 
        (1) if such amount had been invested in interest-bearing 
        obligations of the United States, or in obligations guaranteed 
        as to both principal and interest by the United States, on the 
        first day of the first fiscal year that begins after the date 
of enactment of this Act and compounded annually thereafter.
    (c) Investment of Trust Fund.--It shall be the duty of the 
Secretary of the Treasury to invest such portion of the Fund as is not, 
in the Secretary of the Treasury's judgment, required to meet current 
withdrawals. Such investments may be made only in interest-bearing 
obligations of the United States or in obligations guaranteed as to 
both principal and interest by the United States. The Secretary of the 
Treasury shall deposit interest resulting from such investments into 
the Fund.
    (d) Payment of Interest to Tribe.--
            (1) Withdrawal of interest.--Beginning on the first day of 
        the 11th fiscal year after the date of enactment of this Act 
        and, on the first day of each fiscal year thereafter, the 
        Secretary of the Treasury shall withdraw the aggregate amount 
        of interest deposited into the Fund for that fiscal year and 
        transfer that amount to the Secretary of the Interior for use 
        in accordance with paragraph (2). Each amount so transferred 
        shall be available without fiscal year limitation.
            (2) Payments to santee sioux tribe.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary of the Interior 
                shall use the amounts transferred under paragraph (1) 
                only for the purpose of making payments to the Santee 
                Sioux Tribe, as such payments are requested by that 
                Indian tribe pursuant to tribal resolution.
                    (B) Limitation.--Payments may be made by the 
                Secretary of the Interior under subparagraph (A) only 
                after the Santee Sioux Tribe has adopted a tribal plan 
                under section 6.
                    (C) Use of payments by santee sioux tribe.--The 
                Santee Sioux Tribe shall use the payments made under 
                subparagraph (A) only for carrying out projects and 
                programs under the tribal plan prepared under section 
                6.
    (e) Transfers and Withdrawals.--Except as provided in subsections 
(c) and (d)(1), the Secretary of the Treasury may not transfer or 
withdraw any amount deposited under subsection (b).

SEC. 6. TRIBAL PLANS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 24 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the tribal council of each of the Yankton Sioux 
and Santee Sioux Tribes shall prepare a plan for the use of the 
payments to the tribe under section 4(d) or 5(d) (referred to in this 
subsection as a ``tribal plan'').
    (b) Contents of Tribal Plan.--Each tribal plan shall provide for 
the manner in which the tribe covered under the tribal plan shall 
expend payments to the tribe under subsection (d) to promote--
            (1) economic development;
            (2) infrastructure development;
            (3) the educational, health, recreational, and social 
        welfare objectives of the tribe and its members; or
            (4) any combination of the activities described in 
        paragraphs (1), (2), and (3).
    (c) Tribal Plan Review and Revision.--
            (1) In general.--Each tribal council referred to in 
        subsection (a) shall make available for review and comment by 
        the members of the tribe a copy of the tribal plan for the 
        Indian tribe before the tribal plan becomes final, in 
        accordance with procedures established by the tribal council.
            (2) Updating of tribal plan.--Each tribal council referred 
        to in subsection (a) may, on an annual basis, revise the tribal 
        plan prepared by that tribal council to update the tribal plan. 
        In revising the tribal plan under this paragraph, the tribal 
        council shall provide the members of the tribe opportunity to 
        review and comment on any proposed revision to the tribal plan.
            (3) Consultation.--In preparing the tribal plan and any 
        revisions to update the plan, each tribal council shall consult 
        with the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Health 
        and Human Services.
            (4) Audit.--
                    (A) In general.--The activities of the tribes in 
                carrying out the tribal plans shall be audited as part 
                of the annual single-agency audit that the tribes are 
                required to prepare pursuant to the Office of 
                Management and Budget circular numbered A-133.
                    (B) Determination by auditors.--The auditors that 
                conduct the audit described in subparagraph (A) shall--
                            (i) determine whether funds received by 
                        each tribe under this section for the period 
                        covered by the audits were expended to carry 
                        out the respective tribal plans in a manner 
                        consistent with this section; and
                            (ii) include in the written findings of the 
                        audits the determinations made under clause 
                        (i).
                    (C) Inclusion of findings with publication of 
                proceedings of tribal council.--A copy of the written 
                findings of the audits described in subparagraph (A) 
                shall be inserted in the published minutes of each 
                tribal council's proceedings for the session at which 
                the audit is presented to the tribal councils.
    (d) Prohibition on Per Capita Payments.--No portion of any payment 
made under this Act may be distributed to any member of the Yankton 
Sioux Tribe or the Santee Sioux Tribe of Nebraska on a per capita 
basis.

SEC. 7. ELIGIBILITY OF TRIBE FOR CERTAIN PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.

    (a) In General.--No payment made to the Yankton Sioux Tribe or 
Santee Sioux Tribe pursuant to this Act shall result in the reduction 
or denial of any service or program to which, pursuant to Federal law--
            (1) the Yankton Sioux Tribe or Santee Sioux Tribe is 
        otherwise entitled because of the status of the tribe as a 
        federally recognized Indian tribe; or
            (2) any individual who is a member of a tribe under 
        paragraph (1) is entitled because of the status of the 
        individual as a member of the tribe.
    (b) Exemptions From Taxation.--No payment made pursuant to this Act 
shall be subject to any Federal or State income tax.
    (c) Power Rates.--No payment made pursuant to this Act shall affect 
Pick-Sloan Missouri River Basin power rates.

SEC. 8. STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.

    Nothing in this Act may be construed as diminishing or affecting 
any water right of an Indian tribe, except as specifically provided in 
another provision of this Act, any treaty right that is in effect on 
the date of enactment of this Act, any authority of the Secretary of 
the Interior or the head of any other Federal agency under a law in 
effect on the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary 
to carry out this Act, including such sums as may be necessary for the 
administration of the Yankton Sioux Tribe Development Trust Fund under 
section 4 and the Santee Sioux Tribe of Nebraska Development Trust Fund 
under section 5.

SEC. 10. EXTINGUISHMENT OF CLAIMS.

    Upon the deposit of funds under sections 4(b) and 5(b), all 
monetary claims that the Yankton Sioux Tribe or the Santee Sioux Tribe 
of Nebraska has or may have against the United States for loss of value 
or use of land related to lands described in section 2(a)(10) resulting 
from the Fort Randall and Gavins Point projects of the Pick-Sloan 
Missouri River Basin program shall be extinguished.
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