[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1421 Referred in House (RFH)]

  2d Session
                                S. 1421


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 17, 2004

                 Referred to the Committee on Resources

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                                 AN ACT


 
To authorize the subdivision and dedication of restricted land owned by 
                            Alaska Natives.

    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 ``Alaska Native Allotment Subdivision 
Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Restricted land.--The term ``restricted land'' means 
        land in the State that is subject to Federal restrictions 
        against alienation and taxation.
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Interior.
            (3) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Alaska.

SEC. 3. SUBDIVISION AND DEDICATION OF ALASKA NATIVE RESTRICTED LAND.

    (a) In General.--An Alaska Native owner of restricted land may, 
subject to the approval of the Secretary--
            (1) subdivide the restricted land in accordance with the 
        laws of the--
                    (A) State; or
                    (B) applicable local platting authority; and
            (2) execute a certificate of ownership and dedication with 
        respect to the restricted land subdivided under paragraph (1) 
        with the same effect under State law as if the restricted land 
        subdivided and dedicated were held by unrestricted fee simple 
        title.
    (b) Ratification of Prior Subdivisions and Dedications.--Any 
subdivision or dedication of restricted land executed before the date 
of enactment of this Act that has been approved by the Secretary and by 
the relevant State or local platting authority, as appropriate, shall 
be considered to be ratified and confirmed by Congress as of the date 
on which the Secretary approved the subdivision or dedication.

SEC. 4. EFFECT ON STATUS OF LAND NOT DEDICATED.

    Except in a case in which a specific interest in restricted land is 
dedicated under section 3(a)(2), nothing in this Act terminates, 
diminishes, or otherwise affects the continued existence and 
applicability of Federal restrictions against alienation and taxation 
on restricted land or interests in restricted land (including 
restricted land subdivided under section 3(a)(1)).

            Passed the Senate September 15, 2004.

            Attest:

                                             EMILY J. REYNOLDS,

                                                             Secretary.