[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 42 (Thursday, April 10, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3011-S3017]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Mr. McCain (for himself, Mr. Domenici, Mr. Dorgan and Mr. 
        Thomas):
  S. 545. A bill to provide for the reorganization of the Bureau of 
Indian Affairs, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Indian 
Affairs.


            THE BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS REORGANIZATION ACT

  Mr. McCain. Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce legislation to 
reorganize and restructure the Bureau of Indian Affairs. I am joined by 
Senators Domenici, Dorgan, and Thomas as original cosponsors of this 
legislation.
  This legislation is virtually identical to the bill that was approved 
by the Indian Affairs Committee and reported to the Senate on January 
26, 1996. Unfortunately, the Congress did not complete action on that 
bill prior to the end of the 104th Congress. This legislation is 
intended to build on the agreements contained in last year's bill and 
stimulate further discussions in Congress and among the tribes about 
the many problems in the management and operation of the Bureau of 
Indian Affairs.
  I will not take the time of the Senate to reiterate the long history 
of efforts to reform the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Suffice it to say, 
after more than 150 years of proposals, reports, hearings, and other 
efforts, the Bureau of Indian Affairs remains a hindrance, not a help, 
to our Native American population.
  Since 1824, the Bureau of Indian Affairs has been the principal 
agency of the Federal Government which is responsible for meeting this 
nation's trust responsibility to American Indians and Alaska Natives. 
Yet, based on the health, social, and economic conditions on Indian 
reservations, the Bureau has failed miserably in carrying out its 
responsibilities.
  Just take a brief look at the statistics on native American quality 
of life.
  Nearly one of every three native Americans in this Nation lives in 
poverty, including half of the families and half of the children under 
the age of 6 living on Indian reservations.
  Unemployment on Indian reservations exceeds 25 percent, and the per 
capita income for an Indian living on the reservation is $4,478.

[[Page S3012]]

  Approximately 90,000 Indian families are homeless or underhoused, 
with nearly one in five Indian families living on the reservation 
classified as severely overcrowded. One of every five Indian homes 
lacks complete plumbing facilities.
  It is long past time to change the way this Nation deals with 
American Indians. It is time to break down the barriers to true tribal 
self-governance and self-determination by providing Indian tribes the 
authority to design both the structure and function of their trustee, 
the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
  This bill I am introducing today will enable the Congress, the 
tribes, and the administration to work together to enact the basic 
reforms in the management and organization of the Bureau of Indian 
Affairs that are necessary to improve the quality of life of native 
Americans today. This bill will provide an opportunity for Indian 
tribes to participate in the reshaping and redefining of the trust 
relationship with the Federal Government.
  For a detailed explanation of the provisions of this bill, I refer my 
colleagues to the text of the bill which follows, and to Senate Report 
104-227 accompanying the legislation reported from the Indian Affairs 
Committee last year, which is the basis for this legislation.
  Mr. President, the reintroduction of this bill marks only the first 
step in achieving meaningful reform of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. I 
remain committed to working with the new chairman of the Indian Affairs 
Committee, Senator Campbell, my colleagues in both Houses of Congress, 
the administration, and most importantly, the Indian tribes to ensure 
that this legislation meets the goal of real and necessary change in 
the Bureau. I look forward to our discussions, and I urge my colleagues 
to join in sponsoring this bill to ensure prompt enactment of this 
important and much-needed legislation to reorganize the Bureau of 
Indian Affairs.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 545

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE, PURPOSES, TABLE OF CONTENTS, AND 
                   DEFINITIONS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Bureau of 
     Indian Affairs Reorganization Act of 1997''.
       (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
       (1) to ensure the meaningful involvement of Indian tribes 
     as full negotiation partners with the United States in all 
     efforts to reorganize and restructure the Bureau of Indian 
     Affairs; and
       (2) to ensure the active participation by Indian tribes in 
     the development of the budget requests for the Bureau of 
     Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Services which are 
     submitted to the President by the Secretary of the Interior 
     and the Secretary of Health and Human Services for inclusion 
     in the annual budget request submitted by the President to 
     the Congress pursuant to section 1108 of title 31, United 
     States Code.
       (c) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title, purposes, table of contents, and definitions.

                    TITLE I--REORGANIZATION COMPACTS

Sec. 101. Reorganization of area offices.
Sec. 102. Reorganization of agency offices.
Sec. 103. Reorganization of central office.
Sec. 104. Authority to spend funds.
Sec. 105. Savings provisions.
Sec. 106. Additional conforming amendments.
Sec. 107. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 108. Effective date.
Sec. 109. Separability.
Sec. 110. Suspension of certain administrative actions.
Sec. 111. Statutory construction.
Sec. 112. Tribal authority recognized.
Sec. 113. Renegotiation authority.
Sec. 114. Disclosure of information.

  TITLE II--AMENDMENT TO THE INDIAN SELF-DETERMINATION AND EDUCATION 
                             ASSISTANCE ACT

Sec. 201. Budget development.

  TITLE III--REFORM OF THE REGULATIONS OF THE BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS

Sec. 301. BIA Manual.
Sec. 302. Task force.
Sec. 303. Authorization of appropriations.

       (d) Definitions.--For purposes of this Act, the following 
     definitions shall apply:
       (1) Area office.--The term ``area office'' means 1 of the 
     12 area offices of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in existence 
     on the date of enactment of this Act.
       (2) Area office plan.--The term ``area office plan'' means 
     a plan for the reorganization of an area office negotiated by 
     the Secretary and Indian tribes pursuant to section 101.
       (3) Agency office.--The term ``agency office'' means an 
     agency office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in existence on 
     the date of enactment of this Act.
       (4) Agency office plan.--The term ``agency office plan'' 
     means a plan for the reorganization of an agency office 
     negotiated by the Secretary and Indian tribes pursuant to 
     section 102.
       (5) BIA manual.--The term ``BIA Manual'' means the most 
     recent edition of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Manual issued 
     by the Department of the Interior.
       (6) Bureau.--The term ``Bureau'' means the Bureau of Indian 
     Affairs.
       (7) Central office.--The term ``central office'' means the 
     Central Office of the Bureau, and includes the offices of the 
     Central Office that are housed in Washington, D.C. and 
     Albuquerque, New Mexico.
       (8) Central office plan.--The term ``central office plan'' 
     means the plan for the reorganization of the central office 
     negotiated by the Secretary and Indian tribes pursuant to 
     section 103.
       (9) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the 
     Department of the Interior.
       (10) Director.--The term ``Director'' means, with respect 
     to an area office, the Director of the area office.
       (11) Function.--The term ``function'' means any duty, 
     obligation, power, authority, responsibility, right, 
     privilege, activity, or program.
       (12) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has the same 
     meaning as in section 4(e) of the Indian Self-Determination 
     and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b(e)).
       (13) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       (14) Superintendent.--The term ``Superintendent'' means the 
     Superintendent of an agency office.
       (15) Tribal priority allocation account.--The term ``tribal 
     priority allocation account'' means an account so designated 
     by the Bureau, with respect to which program priorities and 
     funding levels are established by individual Indian tribes.
       (16) Tribal recurring base funding.--The term ``tribal 
     recurring base funding'' means recurring base funding (as 
     defined and determined by the Secretary) for the tribal 
     priority allocation accounts of an Indian tribe allocated to 
     a tribe by the Bureau.
                    TITLE I--REORGANIZATION COMPACTS

     SEC. 101. REORGANIZATION OF AREA OFFICES.

       (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law--
       (1) not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary shall notify in writing each Indian 
     tribe served by an area office of the time and place of the 
     initial prenegotiation meeting to establish a schedule for 
     negotiations under this subsection; and
       (2) not later than 150 days after the date of enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary shall conclude negotiations with the 
     Indian tribes served by each area office on a reorganization 
     plan for the area office.
       (b) Contents of Area Office Plans.--
       (1) In general.--Each area office plan that is prepared 
     pursuant to this subsection shall provide for the 
     organization of the area office covered under the plan. To 
     the extent that a majority of the Indian tribes served by the 
     area office do not exercise the option to maintain current 
     organizational structures, functions, or funding priorities 
     pursuant to paragraph (3), the reorganization plan shall 
     provide, with respect to the area office covered under the 
     plan, for--
       (A) the reorganization of the administrative structure of 
     the area office;
       (B) the reallocation of personnel (including determinations 
     of office size and functions);
       (C) the delegation of authority of the Secretary to the 
     Director, Superintendents, or Indian tribes;
       (D) transfers of functions;
       (E) the specification of functions--
       (i) retained by the Bureau; or
       (ii) transferred to Indian tribes served by the area 
     office;
       (F) the issuance of waivers or other authorities by the 
     Secretary so that functions and other responsibilities of the 
     Secretary may be carried out by the area office or 
     transferred to Indian tribes;
       (G) the promulgation of revised regulations relating to the 
     functions of the area office that are performed by the area 
     office or transferred to Indian tribes;
       (H) the reordering of funding priorities; and
       (I) a formula for the transfer, to the tribal recurring 
     base funding for each Indian tribe served by the area office, 
     of unexpended balances of appropriations and other Federal 
     funds made available to the area office in connection with 
     any function transferred to Indian tribes pursuant to 
     subparagraph (E)(ii).
       (2) Share of funding.--An area office plan shall include, 
     for each Indian tribe served by the area office, a negotiated 
     determination of the share of the funds used by the area 
     office on an annual basis that is used to support functions 
     and services of the Indian tribe (in this subsection referred 
     to as the ``tribal share'').
       (3) Option of maintenance of current status.--At the option 
     of a majority of the

[[Page S3013]]

     Indian tribes served by an area office, a reorganization plan 
     may provide for the continuation of organizational 
     structures, functions, or funding priorities of the area 
     office that are substantially similar to those in effect at 
     the time of the negotiation of the area office plan.
       (4) Approval of area office plan by indian tribes.--
       (A) In general.--On the date on which the negotiation of an 
     area office plan is concluded, the Secretary shall submit the 
     plan to the Indian tribes served by the area office for 
     approval.
       (B) Effect of failure of indian tribe to approve plan.--If 
     an Indian tribe served by an area office fails to approve an 
     area office plan by the date that is 60 days after the 
     Secretary submits the plan pursuant to subparagraph (A) to 
     the Indian tribes served by that office, the plan shall be 
     considered to have been disapproved by that Indian tribe.
       (C) Reorganization compact.--If, by the date specified in 
     subparagraph (B), a majority of the Indian tribes approve the 
     area office plan by tribal resolution or other official act 
     of the governing body of each Indian tribe involved, the 
     Secretary shall enter into a reorganization compact pursuant 
     to subsection (c).
       (5) Single tribe area office.--Not later than 30 days after 
     the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall notify 
     in writing an Indian tribe that is served by an area office 
     that serves only that Indian tribe of the time and place of 
     the initial prenegotiation meeting to establish a schedule 
     for negotiations for an area office plan. If, by not later 
     than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, an 
     Indian tribe that is served by an area office that serves 
     only that Indian tribe notifies the Secretary in writing that 
     the Indian tribe elects to enter into negotiations with the 
     Secretary to prepare a reorganization plan for the area 
     office--
       (A) not later than 150 days after the date of enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary shall conclude such negotiations; and
       (B) if, by the date that is 60 days after the date 
     specified in subparagraph (A), the Indian tribe approves the 
     area office plan by tribal resolution or other official act 
     of the governing body of the Indian tribe, the Secretary 
     shall enter into a reorganization compact with the Indian 
     tribe to carry out the area office plan.
       (6) Option to take tribal share.--
       (A) In general.--If--
       (i) by the date specified in paragraph (4)(B), a majority 
     of the Indian tribes served by an area office fail to approve 
     an area office plan, an Indian tribe may, not later than 60 
     days after the date specified in paragraph (4)(B), notify the 
     Secretary in writing that the Indian tribe elects to receive 
     directly the tribal share of the Indian tribe; or
       (ii) by the date specified in paragraph (5)(B), the Indian 
     tribe served by an area office fails to approve an area 
     office plan, the Indian tribe may, not later than 60 days 
     after the date specified in paragraph (5)(B), notify the 
     Secretary in writing that the Indian tribe elects to receive 
     directly the tribal share of the Indian tribe.
       (B) Agreement.--Not later than 30 days after the date on 
     which the Secretary receives a notice under subparagraph (A), 
     the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the Indian 
     tribe for the immediate and direct transfer to the Indian 
     tribe of an amount equal to the tribal share (after taking 
     into account any residual amount determined under clause 
     (i)), or if the agreement covers a period of less than 12 
     months, a prorated amount of the tribal share (after taking 
     into account any residual amount determined under clause 
     (i)). The agreement shall include--
       (i) a negotiated determination of the amount, if any, of 
     residual Federal funds to be retained by the Secretary for 
     the area office that are minimally necessary to carry out 
     trustee and other functions of the Federal Government that 
     are not delegable to the Indian tribes served by the area 
     office; and
       (ii) a negotiated description of the responsibilities to be 
     carried out by--

       (I) the area office; and
       (II) the Indian tribe.

       (7) Self-determination and self-governance authorities not 
     affected.--If an Indian tribe exercises the option to receive 
     a tribal share of funds in accordance with paragraph (6), the 
     exercise of that option may not be construed to limit or 
     restrict any right of that tribe or any other tribe to 
     receive funds under title I or IV of the Indian Self-
     Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450 et 
     seq.), and funds received under that Act may be included as 
     part of the tribal share identified in paragraph (6).
       (8) Secretarial authority.--If, by the date specified in 
     subsection (c), a majority of the Indian tribes served by an 
     area office fail to approve the plan pursuant to paragraph 
     (4), the organizational structure, functions, and funding 
     priorities of the area office in effect at the time of the 
     negotiation of the area office plan shall be determined by 
     the Secretary, in consultation with the Indian tribes served 
     by that area office, and in a manner consistent with the 
     exercise by any Indian tribe of the option to receive 
     directly the tribal share of the Indian tribe under paragraph 
     (6).
       (c) Area Office Reorganization Compacts.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date on 
     which a majority of the Indian tribes served by the area 
     office that is the subject of a reorganization plan have 
     approved the plan pursuant to subsection (b)(4), the 
     Secretary shall enter into an area office reorganization 
     compact with the Indian tribes that have approved the plan to 
     carry out that plan (in this subsection referred to as the 
     ``area office reorganization compact'').
       (2) Prohibition against certain limitations.--With respect 
     to an Indian tribe that is not a party to an area office 
     reorganization compact entered into by the Secretary under 
     this subsection, nothing in this section may limit or reduce 
     the level of any service or funding that the Indian tribe 
     would otherwise receive pursuant to applicable Federal law 
     (including title I or IV of the Indian Self-Determination and 
     Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.)).

     SEC. 102. REORGANIZATION OF AGENCY OFFICES.

       (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law--
       (1) not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary shall notify each Indian tribe in 
     writing of the time and place of the initial prenegotiation 
     meeting to establish a schedule for negotiations under this 
     subsection; and
       (2) not later than 150 days after the date of enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary, acting through the Superintendent 
     (or a designee of the Superintendent) of each agency office, 
     shall conclude negotiations with the Indian tribes served by 
     each agency office on an agency office plan for each agency 
     office.
       (b) Contents of Agency Office Plans.--
       (1) In general.--Each agency office plan that is prepared 
     by the Secretary pursuant to this subsection shall provide 
     for the organization of the agency office covered under the 
     plan. To the extent that a majority of the Indian tribes 
     served by the agency office do not exercise the option to 
     maintain current organizational structures, functions, or 
     funding priorities pursuant to paragraph (3), the agency 
     office plan shall provide, with respect to the agency office 
     covered under the agency office plan, for--
       (A) the reorganization of the administrative structure of 
     the agency office;
       (B) the reallocation of personnel (including determinations 
     of office size and functions);
       (C) the delegation of authority of the Secretary to the 
     Superintendent or Indian tribes;
       (D) transfers of functions;
       (E) the specification of functions--
       (i) retained by the Bureau; or
       (ii) transferred to Indian tribes served by the agency 
     office;
       (F) the issuance of waivers or other authorities by the 
     Secretary so that functions and other responsibilities of the 
     Secretary may be carried out by the agency office or 
     transferred to Indian tribes;
       (G) the promulgation of revised regulations relating to the 
     functions of the agency office that are carried by the agency 
     office or transferred to Indian tribes;
       (H) the reordering of funding priorities; and
       (I) a formula for the transfer, to the tribal recurring 
     base funding for each Indian tribe served by the agency 
     office, of unexpended balances of appropriations and other 
     Federal funds made available to the agency office in 
     connection with any function transferred to Indian tribes 
     pursuant to subparagraph (E)(ii).
       (2) Share of funding.--An agency office plan shall include, 
     for each Indian tribe served by the agency office, a 
     negotiated determination of the share of the Indian tribe of 
     the funds used by the agency office on an annual basis that 
     is used to support functions and services of the Indian tribe 
     (in this subsection referred to as the ``tribal share'').
       (3) Option of maintenance of current status.--At the option 
     of a majority of the Indian tribes served by an agency 
     office, an agency office plan may provide for the 
     continuation of organizational structures, functions, or 
     funding priorities of the agency office that are 
     substantially similar to those in effect at the time of the 
     development of the agency office plan.
       (4) Approval of agency office plan by indian tribes.--
       (A) In general.--On the date on which the negotiation of an 
     agency office plan is concluded, the Secretary shall submit 
     the agency office plan to the Indian tribes served by the 
     agency office for approval.
       (B) Effect of failure of indian tribe to approve plan.--If 
     an Indian tribe served by an agency office fails to approve 
     an agency office plan by the date that is 60 days after the 
     Secretary submits the plan pursuant to subparagraph (A) to 
     the Indian tribes served by that office, the plan shall be 
     considered to have been disapproved by that Indian tribe.
       (C) Reorganization compact.--If, by the date specified in 
     subparagraph (B), a majority of the Indian tribes approve the 
     agency office plan by a tribal resolution or other official 
     act of the governing body of each Indian tribe involved, the 
     Secretary shall enter into a reorganization compact pursuant 
     to subsection (c).
       (5) Single tribe agency office.--Not later than 30 days 
     after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
     notify in writing an Indian tribe that is served by an agency 
     office that serves only that Indian tribe of the time and 
     place of the initial prenegotiation meeting to establish a 
     schedule for negotiations for an agency office plan. If, by 
     not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, an Indian

[[Page S3014]]

     tribe that is served by an agency office that serves only 
     that Indian tribe notifies the Secretary in writing that the 
     Indian tribe elects to enter into negotiations with the 
     Secretary to prepare a reorganization plan for the agency 
     office--
       (A) not later than 150 days after the date of enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary shall conclude such negotiations; and
       (B) if, by the date that is 60 days after the date 
     specified in subparagraph (A), the Indian tribe approves the 
     agency office plan by tribal resolution or other official act 
     of the governing body of the Indian tribe, the Secretary 
     shall enter into a reorganization compact with the Indian 
     tribe to carry out the area office plan.
       (6) Option to take tribal share.--
       (A) In general.--If--
       (i) by the date specified in paragraph (4)(B), a majority 
     of the Indian tribes served by an agency office fail to 
     approve an agency office plan, an Indian tribe may, not later 
     than 60 days after the date specified in paragraph (4)(B), 
     notify the Secretary in writing that the Indian tribe elects 
     to receive directly the tribal share of the Indian tribe; or
       (ii) by the date specified in paragraph (5)(B), the Indian 
     tribe served by an agency office fails to approve an agency 
     office plan, the Indian tribe may, not later than 60 days 
     after the date specified in paragraph (5)(B), notify the 
     Secretary in writing that the Indian tribe elects to receive 
     directly the tribal share of the Indian tribe.
       (B) Agreement.--Not later than 30 days after the date on 
     which the Secretary receives a notice under subparagraph (A), 
     the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the Indian 
     tribe for the immediate and direct transfer to the Indian 
     tribe of an amount equal to the tribal share (after taking 
     into account any residual amount under clause (i)), or if the 
     agreement covers a period of less than 12 months, a prorated 
     amount of the tribal share (after taking into account any 
     residual amount under clause (i)). The agreement shall 
     include--
       (i) a negotiated determination of the amount, if any, of 
     residual Federal funds to be retained by the Secretary for 
     the agency office that are minimally necessary to carry out 
     trustee and other functions of the Federal Government that 
     are not delegable to the Indian tribes served by the agency 
     office; and
       (ii) a negotiated description of the responsibilities to be 
     carried out by--

       (I) the agency office; and
       (II) the Indian tribe.

       (7) Self-determination and self-governance authorities not 
     affected.--If an Indian tribe exercises the option to receive 
     a tribal share of funds in accordance with paragraph (6), the 
     exercise of that option may not be construed to limit or 
     restrict any right of that tribe or any other tribe to 
     receive funds under title I or IV of the Indian Self-
     Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450 et 
     seq.), and funds received under that Act may be included as 
     part of the tribal share identified in paragraph (6).
       (8) Secretarial authority.--If, by the date specified in 
     subsection (c), a majority of the Indian tribes served by an 
     agency office fail to approve the plan pursuant to paragraph 
     (4), the organizational structure, functions, and funding 
     priorities of the agency office in effect at the time of the 
     negotiation of the agency office plan shall be determined by 
     the Secretary, in consultation with the Indian tribes served 
     by that agency office, and in a manner consistent with the 
     exercise by any Indian tribe of the option to receive 
     directly the tribal share of the Indian tribe under paragraph 
     (6).
       (c) Agency Office Reorganization Compacts.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date on 
     which a majority of the Indian tribes served by an agency 
     office that is the subject of an agency office plan have 
     approved that plan pursuant to subsection (b)(4), the 
     Secretary shall enter into a reorganization compact with the 
     Indian tribes to carry out the agency office plan (in this 
     subsection referred to as the ``agency office reorganization 
     compact'').
       (2) Prohibition against certain limitations.--With respect 
     to an Indian tribe that is not a party to an agency office 
     reorganization compact entered into under this subsection, 
     nothing in this section may limit or reduce the level of any 
     service or funding that the Indian tribe would otherwise 
     receive pursuant to applicable Federal law (including title I 
     or IV of the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
     Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.)).

     SEC. 103. REORGANIZATION OF CENTRAL OFFICE.

       (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law--
       (1) not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary shall notify in writing each Indian 
     tribe of the time and place of the initial prenegotiation 
     meeting to establish a schedule for negotiations under this 
     subsection; and
       (2) not later than 150 days after the date of enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary shall conclude negotiations with 
     Indian tribes on a reorganization plan for the central 
     office. The Secretary shall negotiate on an area-by-area 
     basis with a representative from each of the Indian tribes in 
     each area, to determine the appropriate allocation of 
     personnel and funding made available to the central office to 
     serve the area and agency offices and Indian tribes in each 
     area office.
       (b) Content of Central Office Plan.--
       (1) In general.--The central office plan shall provide for 
     determinations on the basis of the negotiations described in 
     subsection (a) concerning--
       (A) which portion of the funds made available to the 
     Secretary for the central office shall--
       (i) be used to support the area and agency offices in each 
     area; or
       (ii) be considered funds that may be transferred directly 
     to Indian tribes in each area pursuant to a formula developed 
     pursuant to paragraph (2)(J); and
       (B) the allocation of the personnel of the central office 
     to provide support to the area and agency offices.
       (2) Reallocation of funds and personnel.--In developing the 
     central office plan, to the extent that the Secretary and the 
     Indian tribes do not exercise the option to maintain current 
     organizational structures, functions, or funding priorities, 
     the central office plan shall provide, to the extent 
     necessary to accommodate the determinations made under 
     paragraph (1), for--
       (A) the reorganization of the administrative structure of 
     the central office;
       (B) the reallocation of personnel (including determinations 
     of office size and functions);
       (C) the delegation of authority of the Secretary carried 
     out through the central office to the Directors, 
     Superintendents, or Indian tribes;
       (D) transfers of functions;
       (E) the specification of functions--
       (i) retained by the central office; or
       (ii) transferred to area offices, agency offices or Indian 
     tribes;
       (F) the issuance of waivers or other authorities by the 
     Secretary so that functions and other responsibilities of the 
     Secretary may be carried out by the central office or 
     transferred to area offices, agency offices, or Indian 
     tribes;
       (G) the promulgation of revised regulations relating to the 
     functions of the central office that are carried by the 
     central office or transferred to area offices, agency 
     offices, or Indian tribes;
       (H) the reordering of funding priorities;
       (I) allocation formulas to provide for the remaining 
     services to be provided to the area and agency offices and 
     Indian tribes by the central office; and
       (J) with respect to the transfer of funds to the area and 
     agency offices and Indian tribes in each area, a formula, 
     negotiated with the tribal representatives identified in 
     subsection (a), for the transfer to the Indian tribes of all 
     or a portion of the funds described in paragraph (1)(A)(ii).
       (3) Share of funding.--The central office plan shall 
     include, for each Indian tribe, a negotiated determination of 
     the share of the Indian tribe (in this subsection referred to 
     as the ``tribal share'') of the funds used by the central 
     office on an annual basis (after any funds identified in 
     paragraph (1)(A)(ii) have been allocated directly to Indian 
     tribes) to support functions and services of the Indian tribe 
     and to provide the personnel and services identified in 
     subsection (a) to serve the Indian tribe.
       (4) Option to take tribal share.--
       (A) In general.--An Indian tribe may, not later than 60 
     days after the date specified in subsection (c), notify the 
     Secretary in writing that the Indian tribe elects to receive 
     directly the tribal share for that Indian tribe determined 
     under paragraph (3) if that Indian tribe--
       (i) receives a tribal share of an area office under section 
     101(b) and also receives a tribal share of an agency office 
     under section 102(b); or
       (ii) receives a share pursuant to title I or IV of the 
     Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 
     U.S.C. 450 et seq.).
       (B) Agreement.--Not later than 30 days after the date on 
     which an Indian tribe provides written notification to the 
     Secretary under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall enter 
     into an agreement with the Indian tribe for the immediate and 
     direct transfer to the Indian tribe of an amount equal to the 
     tribal share (taking into account any residual amount 
     determined under clause (i)), or if the period covered by the 
     agreement is less than 12 months, a prorated amount of the 
     tribal share (taking into account any residual amount 
     determined under clause (i)). The agreement shall include--
       (i) a negotiated determination of the amount of residual 
     Federal funds to be retained by the Secretary for the central 
     office that are minimally necessary to carry out trustee and 
     other functions of the Federal Government that are not 
     delegable to the Indian tribes served by the central office; 
     and
       (ii) a negotiated description of the responsibilities to be 
     carried out by--

       (I) the central office; and
       (II) the Indian tribe.

       (5) Self-determination and self-governance authorities not 
     affected.--If an Indian tribe exercises the option to receive 
     a tribal share of funds in accordance with paragraph (4), the 
     exercise of that option may not be construed to limit or 
     restrict any right of that tribe or any other tribe to 
     receive funds under title I or IV of the Indian Self-
     Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450 et 
     seq.), and funds received under that Act may be included as 
     part of the tribal share identified in paragraph (4).
       (c) Central Office Reorganization Compacts.--

[[Page S3015]]

       (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the Secretary 
     has concluded a negotiation of a central office plan pursuant 
     to subsection (a), the Secretary shall, for each area office, 
     enter into a central office reorganization compact with the 
     Indian tribes in that area to implement the central office 
     plan (in this subsection referred to as the ``central office 
     reorganization compact''). The Secretary may not implement 
     the component of a central office plan relating to an area 
     until such time as a majority of the Indian tribes in that 
     area have entered into a central office reorganization 
     compact. If a majority of the Indian tribes in an area do not 
     enter into a central office reorganization compact with the 
     Secretary pursuant to this paragraph, the organizational 
     structure, functions, and funding priorities of the central 
     office relating to the area and agency offices and Indian 
     tribes in that area and in effect at the time of the 
     negotiation of the central office plan shall be determined by 
     the Secretary, in consultation with the Indian tribes served 
     by each area office, and in a manner that is consistent with 
     the exercise by any Indian tribe of the option to receive 
     directly the tribal share of the Indian tribe under 
     subsection (b)(4).
       (2) Coordination with area and agency office plans.--Each 
     central office reorganization compact entered into by the 
     Secretary under this subsection shall specify that in the 
     event the Secretary determines that a central office 
     reorganization compact is inconsistent with a related area 
     office reorganization compact entered into under section 
     101(c) or a related agency office reorganization compact 
     entered into under section 102(c), the Secretary, in 
     negotiation with the Indian tribes that are parties to the 
     central office reorganization compact, shall amend the 
     compact to make such modifications as are necessary to ensure 
     consistency with the applicable area or agency office plan.

     SEC. 104. AUTHORITY TO SPEND FUNDS.

       Each Indian tribe that receives funds under this title 
     shall administer and expend those funds in a manner 
     consistent with the authorities provided to Indian tribes 
     under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
     Act (25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.).

     SEC. 105. SAVINGS PROVISIONS.

       (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     this title, all orders, determinations, rules, regulations, 
     permits, agreements, grants, contracts, certificates, 
     licenses, registrations, privileges, and other administrative 
     actions--
       (1) that have been issued, made, granted, or allowed to 
     become effective by the President, any Federal agency or 
     official thereof, or by a court of competent jurisdiction, in 
     the performance of any function that is transferred to Indian 
     tribes pursuant to a reorganization compact that the 
     Secretary enters into pursuant to section 101, 102, or 103; 
     and
       (2) that are in effect on the effective date of the 
     reorganization compact, or were final before the effective 
     date of the reorganization compact and are to become 
     effective on or after such date;

     shall continue in effect according to their terms until 
     modified, terminated, superseded, set aside, or revoked in 
     accordance with law by the President, the Secretary, or other 
     authorized official, a court of competent jurisdiction, or by 
     operation of law.
       (b) Proceedings Not Affected.--
       (1) In general.--The provisions of a reorganization compact 
     that the Secretary enters into pursuant to section 101, 102, 
     or 103 shall not affect any proceedings, including notices of 
     proposed rulemaking, or any application for any license, 
     permit, certificate, or financial assistance pending before 
     the Bureau at the time the reorganization compact takes 
     effect, with respect to the functions transferred by the 
     reorganization compact.
       (2) Continuation of proceedings.--The proceedings and 
     applications referred to in paragraph (1) shall be continued. 
     Orders shall be issued in such proceedings, appeals shall be 
     taken from such orders, and payments shall be made pursuant 
     to such orders, as if the compact had not been entered into, 
     and orders issued in any such proceedings shall continue in 
     effect until modified, terminated, superseded, or revoked by 
     a duly authorized official, by a court of competent 
     jurisdiction, or by operation of law.
       (3) Statutory construction.--Nothing in this subsection 
     shall be deemed to prohibit the discontinuance or 
     modification of any such proceeding under the same terms and 
     conditions and to the same extent that such proceeding could 
     have been discontinued or modified if this title had not been 
     enacted.
       (c) Nonabatement of Actions.--No suit, action, or other 
     proceeding commenced by or against the Bureau or by or 
     against any individual in the official capacity of such 
     individual as an officer of the Bureau shall abate by reason 
     of the enactment of this title.

     SEC. 106. ADDITIONAL CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

       (a) Recommended Legislation.--After consultation with 
     Indian tribes and the appropriate committees of the Congress, 
     the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Congress 
     appropriate recommendations for legislation containing 
     technical and conforming amendments to reflect the changes 
     made pursuant to this title.
       (b) Submission to the Congress.--Not later than 120 days 
     after the effective date of this title, the Secretary shall 
     submit to the Congress the recommended legislation referred 
     to in subsection (a).

     SEC. 107. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
     necessary to carry out this title.

     SEC. 108. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       This title shall take effect on the date of enactment of 
     this Act.

     SEC. 109. SEPARABILITY.

       If a provision of this title or its application to any 
     person or circumstance is held invalid, neither the remainder 
     of this title nor the application of the provision to other 
     persons or circumstances shall be affected.

     SEC. 110. SUSPENSION OF CERTAIN ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS.

       (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, during the 2-year period beginning on the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall suspend the 
     implementation of all administrative activities that affect 
     the Bureau associated with reinventing government, national 
     performance review, or other down sizing initiatives of the 
     executive branch of the Federal Government.
       (b) Consideration of Compacts.--During the period specified 
     in subsection (a), the reorganization compacts entered into 
     under this title shall be deemed to satisfy the goals of the 
     initiatives referred to in subsection (a).

     SEC. 111. STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.

       Nothing in this title may be construed to alter or diminish 
     the Federal trust responsibility to Indian tribes, individual 
     Indians, or Indians with trust allotments.

     SEC. 112. TRIBAL AUTHORITY RECOGNIZED.

       Nothing in this title may be construed to prohibit or limit 
     the capacity of 2 or more Indian tribes to authorize, by 
     tribal resolution or other official act of the governing body 
     of each Indian tribe involved, a group of Indian tribes to 
     exercise any authority granted to an Indian tribe under this 
     title, except that the approval of an area office or agency 
     office reorganization plan under sections 101(b)(4) and 
     102(b)(4), and the entering into a central office 
     reorganization compact under section 103(c)(1), shall be 
     authorized by the separate tribal resolution or other 
     official act of the governing body of each Indian tribe 
     involved.

     SEC. 113. RENEGOTIATION AUTHORITY.

       The Indian tribes served by an agency or area office may 
     annually exercise any authorities that the Indian tribes are 
     authorized to exercise under this title during any calendar 
     year that begins after the date of enactment of this Act, 
     including authorities relating to the negotiation of 
     reorganization plans and the election to receive tribal 
     shares. In any case in which an Indian tribe exercises an 
     authority pursuant to the preceding sentence, the timeframes 
     set forth in this title shall be calculated from the annual 
     anniversary date of the date of enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 114. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION.

       (a) In General.--Upon entering into negotiations required 
     under sections 101, 102, and 103, and in a timely manner 
     throughout that negotiation process, the Secretary shall 
     provide to Indian tribes the budgetary, structural, 
     administrative, and legal information that is necessary for 
     the negotiated reorganization of the agency offices, area 
     offices, and central office.
       (b) Technical Assistance.--Upon the request of an Indian 
     tribe, the Secretary shall provide such technical assistance 
     as may be required to interpret the information provided 
     under subsection (a).
  TITLE II--AMENDMENT TO THE INDIAN SELF-DETERMINATION AND EDUCATION 
                             ASSISTANCE ACT

     SEC. 201. BUDGET DEVELOPMENT.

       The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act 
     (25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new title:
                     ``TITLE V--BUDGET DEVELOPMENT

     ``SEC. 501. PARTICIPATION OF INDIAN TRIBES IN THE DEVELOPMENT 
                   OF BUDGET REQUESTS.

       ``(a) Budget Requests for the Bureau of Indian Affairs.--
     Notwithstanding any other provision of law, not later than 
     120 days after the date of enactment of this title, the 
     Secretary of the Interior shall establish a program--
       ``(1) to provide information to Indian tribes concerning 
     the development of budget requests for the Bureau of Indian 
     Affairs that are submitted to the President by the Secretary 
     of the Interior for inclusion in the annual budget of the 
     President submitted to the Congress pursuant to section 1108 
     of title 31, United States Code; and
       ``(2) to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, the 
     participation by each Indian tribe in the development of the 
     budget requests referred to in paragraph (1).
       ``(b) Budget Requests for the Indian Health Service.--
     Notwithstanding any other provision of law, not later than 
     120 days after the date of enactment of this title, the 
     Secretary of Health and Human Services shall establish a 
     program--
       ``(1) to provide information to Indian tribes concerning 
     the development of budget requests by the Secretary of Health 
     and Human Services for the Indian Health Service that are 
     submitted to the President by the Secretary of Health and 
     Human Services for inclusion in the annual budget referred to 
     in subsection (a)(1); and
       ``(2) to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, the 
     participation by each Indian

[[Page S3016]]

     tribe in the development of the budget requests referred to 
     in paragraph (1).
       ``(c) Requirements for Programs.--
       ``(1) In general.--Each program established under this 
     section shall, to the maximum extent practicable--
       ``(A) provide for the estimation of--
       ``(i) the funds authorized to be appropriated on an annual 
     basis for the benefit of Indian tribes; and
       ``(ii) for each Indian tribe, the portion of the funds 
     described in clause (i) that will be provided for the benefit 
     of the Indian tribe;
       ``(B) provide, for each Indian tribe--
       ``(i) the opportunity to establish priorities for using the 
     estimated funds described in subparagraph (A)(ii); and
       ``(ii) the authority and flexibility to design tribal and 
     Federal programs that receive Federal funds to best meet the 
     needs of the community served by the Indian tribe; and
       ``(C) provide for the collection and dissemination of 
     information that is necessary for effective planning, 
     evaluation, and reporting by the Secretary of the Interior or 
     the Secretary of Health and Human Services and Indian tribes 
     concerning the comparative social and public health 
     conditions of Indian communities (as defined and determined 
     by the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Health 
     and Human Services) at local, regional, and national levels.
       ``(2) Duties of the secretaries.--In carrying out the 
     programs established under this section, the Secretary of the 
     Interior and the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
     shall--
       ``(A) use any information provided by Indian tribes 
     concerning the priorities referred to in paragraph (1)(B);
       ``(B) support the creation of stable recurring base funding 
     (as defined and determined by each such Secretary) for each 
     Indian tribe;
       ``(C) seek to maintain stability in the planning and 
     allocation of the amounts provided for in the budget of the 
     Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service for 
     Indian tribes; and
       ``(D) assess the Federal programs or assistance provided to 
     each Indian tribe to determine--
       ``(i) the relative need for providing Federal funds to 
     carry out each such program; and
       ``(ii) the amount of recurring base funding available to 
     each Indian tribe to carry out each such program.
       ``(3) Contracts, grants, and annual funding agreements.--To 
     provide, to the maximum extent practicable, for the full 
     participation by the governing bodies of Indian tribes on an 
     effective government-to-government basis in carrying out the 
     collection and sharing of information under this section, the 
     Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Health and 
     Human Services may--
       ``(A) enter into a self-determination contract with an 
     Indian tribe or make a grant to an Indian tribe pursuant to 
     section 102 or 103;
       ``(B) with respect to the Secretary of Health and Human 
     Services, enter into a funding agreement with a participating 
     Indian tribe pursuant to title III; and
       ``(C) with respect to the Secretary of the Interior, enter 
     into a funding agreement with a participating Indian tribe 
     pursuant to title IV.

     ``SEC. 502. ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY.

       ``(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
     of enactment of this title, the Secretary shall, in 
     cooperation with Indian tribes, and in accordance with the 
     negotiated rulemaking procedures under subchapter III of 
     chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code (as in effect on the 
     date of enactment of this title), promulgate standardized 
     assessment methodologies to be used in carrying out any 
     budget determination for the Bureau concerning the levels of 
     funding that are necessary to fund each program area (as 
     defined and determined by the Secretary) of the Bureau.
       ``(b) Participation by Indian Tribes.--In carrying out 
     subsection (a), the Secretary shall take such action as may 
     be necessary to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, 
     the direct and active participation of Indian tribes at the 
     local, regional, and national levels in the negotiated 
     rulemaking process specified in subchapter III of chapter 5 
     of title 5, United States Code.
       ``(c) Committee.--
       ``(1) Composition.--The negotiated rulemaking committee 
     established pursuant to the requirements of section 565 of 
     title 5, United States Code (as in effect on the date of 
     enactment of this title), to carry out subsection (a) shall 
     only be comprised of--
       ``(A) individuals who represent the Federal Government; and
       ``(B) individuals who represent Indian tribes.
       ``(2) Representation by indian tribes.--A majority of the 
     members of the committee referred to in paragraph (1) shall 
     be individuals who represent Indian tribes.
       ``(d) Adaptation of Procedures.--The Secretary shall adapt 
     the negotiated rulemaking procedures carried out under this 
     section in the same manner as the Secretary adapts, in 
     accordance with section 407(c), the procedures carried out 
     pursuant to section 407.

     ``SEC. 503. REPORTS TO THE CONGRESS.

       ``At the earliest practicable date after the date of 
     promulgation of the regulations under section 502 on which 
     the Secretary of the Interior submits a budget request to the 
     President for inclusion in the annual budget of the President 
     submitted to the Congress pursuant to section 1108 of title 
     31, United States Code, and annually thereafter, the 
     Secretary shall prepare and submit to the President for 
     inclusion in the annual budget submitted to the Congress, a 
     report that--
       ``(1) describes the standardized methodologies that are the 
     subject of the regulations promulgated pursuant to section 
     502; and
       ``(2) includes--
       ``(A) for each program area of the Bureau of Indian 
     Affairs, an assessment of the level of funding that is 
     necessary to fund the program area; and
       ``(B) for each Indian tribe served by a program area 
     referred to in paragraph (2)--
       ``(i) an assessment of the level of funding that is 
     necessary for each Indian tribe served by the program area;
       ``(ii) the total amount of funding necessary to cover all 
     program areas with respect to which the tribe receives 
     services (as determined by taking the aggregate of the 
     applicable amounts determined under paragraph (3)); and
       ``(iii) a breakdown, for each program area with respect to 
     which the Indian tribe receives service, of the amount 
     determined under clause (ii).

     ``SEC. 504. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       ``There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may 
     be necessary to carry out this title.''.
  TITLE III--REFORM OF THE REGULATIONS OF THE BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS

     SEC. 301. BIA MANUAL.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall--
       (1) conduct a review of all provisions of the BIA Manual;
       (2) promulgate as proposed regulations those provisions of 
     the BIA Manual that the Secretary deems necessary for the 
     efficient implementation of the Federal functions retained by 
     the Bureau under the reorganization compacts authorized by 
     this Act; and
       (3) revoke all provisions of the BIA Manual that are not 
     promulgated as proposed regulations under paragraph (2).
       (b) Consultation With Indian Tribes.--In carrying out 
     subsection (a), the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent 
     practicable, consult with Indian tribes in such manner as to 
     provide for the full participation of Indian tribes.

     SEC. 302. TASK FORCE.

       (a) Establishment of Task Force.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a task 
     force on regulatory reform (hereafter in this section 
     referred to as the ``task force'').
       (2) Duties.--The task force shall--
       (A) review the regulations under title 25, Code of Federal 
     Regulations; and
       (B) make recommendations concerning the revision of the 
     regulations.
       (3) Membership.--The task force shall be composed of 16 
     members, appointed by the Secretary, including 12 members who 
     are representatives of Indian tribes from each of the 12 
     areas served by area offices.
       (4) Initial meeting.--Not later than 60 days after the date 
     on which all members of the task force have been appointed, 
     the task force shall hold its first meeting.
       (5) Meetings.--The task force shall meet at the call of the 
     Chairperson.
       (6) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the task force 
     shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may 
     hold hearings.
       (7) Chairperson.--The task force shall select a Chairperson 
     from among its members.
       (b) Reports.--
       (1) Reports to secretary.--The task force shall submit to 
     the Secretary such reports as the Secretary determines to be 
     appropriate.
       (2) Report to the congress and to indian tribes.--In 
     addition to submitting the reports described in paragraph 
     (1), not later than 120 days after its initial meeting, the 
     task force shall prepare, and submit to the Congress and to 
     the governing body of each Indian tribe, a report that 
     includes--
       (A) the findings of the task force concerning the review 
     conducted pursuant to subsection (a)(2)(A); and
       (B) the recommendations described in subsection (a)(2)(B).
       (c) Powers of the Task Force.--
       (1) Hearings.--The task force may hold such hearings, sit 
     and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and 
     receive such evidence as the task force considers advisable 
     to carry out the duties of the task force specified in 
     subsection (a)(2).
       (2) Information from federal agencies.--The task force may 
     secure directly from any Federal department or agency such 
     information as the task force considers necessary to carry 
     out the duties of the task force specified in subsection 
     (a)(2).
       (3) Postal services.--The task force may use the United 
     States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions 
     as other departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
       (4) Gifts.--The task force may accept, use, and dispose of 
     gifts or donations of services or property.
       (d) Task Force Personnel Matters.--
       (1) Compensation of members.--Members of the task force who 
     are not officers or employees of the Federal Government shall 
     serve without compensation, except for travel expenses, as 
     provided under paragraph (2). Members of the task force who 
     are officers or employees of the United States shall serve

[[Page S3017]]

     without compensation in addition to that received for their 
     services as officers or employees of the United States.
       (2) Travel expenses.--The members of the task force shall 
     be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
     subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies 
     under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
     Code, while away from their homes or regular places of 
     business in the performance of services for the task force.
       (3) Staff.--
       (A) In general.--The Chairperson of the task force may, 
     without regard to the civil service laws, appoint and 
     terminate such personnel as may be necessary to enable the 
     task force to perform its duties.
       (B) Procurement of temporary and intermittent services.--
     The Chairperson of the task force may procure temporary and 
     intermittent service under section 3109(b) of title 5, United 
     States Code, at rates for individuals that do not exceed the 
     daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed 
     under GS-13 of the General Schedule established under section 
     5332 of title 5, United States Code.
       (e) Termination of Task Force.--The task force shall 
     terminate 30 days after the date on which the task force 
     submits its reports to the Congress and to Indian tribes 
     under subsection (b)(2).
       (f) Exemption From Federal Advisory Committee Act.--All of 
     the activities of the task force conducted under this title 
     shall be exempt from the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 
     U.S.C. App.).
       (g) Prohibition.--Beginning on the date of enactment of 
     this Act, no provision of any internal manual or handbook or 
     other written procedure purporting to govern the conduct of 
     the Department in relation to Indian tribes shall be binding 
     upon any Indian tribe unless that provision has been 
     promulgated as a final regulation in accordance with 
     applicable Federal law.

     SEC. 303. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
     necessary to carry out this title.
                                 ______
                                 

       By Mr. LEAHY (for himself, Mr. Gregg, Mr. Jeffords, Ms. 
     Snowe, Ms. Collins, Mr. Smith of New Hampshire, Mr. Moynihan, 
     Mr. Kerry and Mr. Kennedy):
  S. 546. A bill to implement the recommendations of the Northern 
Forest Lands Council; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry.

                          ____________________