[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 141 (Monday, October 3, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  PUEBLO OF ISLETA INDIAN LAND CLAIMS

  The text of the bill (S. 1422) to confer jurisdiction on the U.S. 
Claims Court with respect to land claims of Pueblo of Isleta Indian 
Tribe, as passed by the Senate on September 30, 1994, is as follows:

                                S. 1422

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

     SECTION 1. JURISDICTION.

       Notwithstanding sections 2401 and 2501 of title 28, United 
     States Code, and section 12 of the Act of August 13, 1946 (60 
     Stat. 1052), or any other law which would interpose or 
     support a defense of untimeliness, jurisdiction is hereby 
     conferred upon the United States Court of Federal Claims to 
     hear, determine, and render judgment on any claim by Pueblo 
     of Isleta Indian Tribe of New Mexico against the United 
     States with respect to any lands or interests therein the 
     State of New Mexico or any adjoining State held by aboriginal 
     title or otherwise which were acquired from the tribe without 
     payment of adequate compensation by the United States. As a 
     matter of adequate compensation, the United States Court of 
     Federal Claims may award interest at a rate of 5 percent per 
     year to accrue from the date on which such lands or interests 
     therein were acquired from the tribe by the United States. 
     Such jurisdiction is conferred only with respect to claims 
     accruing on or before August 13, 1946, and all such claims 
     must be filed within three years after the date of enactment 
     of this Act. Such jurisdiction is conferred notwithstanding 
     any failure of the tribe to exhaust any available 
     administrative remedy.

     SEC. 2. CERTAIN DEFENSES NOT APPLICABLE.

       Any award made to any Indian tribe other than the Pueblo of 
     Isleta Indian Tribe of New Mexico before, on, or after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, under any judgment of the 
     Indian Claims Commission or any other authority, with respect 
     to any lands that are the subject of a claim submitted by the 
     tribe under section 1 shall not be considered a defense, 
     estoppel, or set-off to such claim, and shall not otherwise 
     affect the entitlement to, or amount of, any relief with 
     respect to such claim.

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