,,ib  ,union ,cal5d> ,no4 #gda  #aae?   
,,congress  #b;d ,session  ,h4 ,r4 #cgdd
  ,report ,no4 #aae-iec  ,,9 ,,! ,,h\se 
,,( ,,repres5tatives  ,septemb] #ab1    
#bjag ,mr4 ,bi%op ( ,utah introduc$ !   
foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 ref]r$ to !          
,committee on ,natural ,res\rces        
,septemb] #bj1 #bjah;,additional        
sponsor3 ,mr4 ,gos>  ,septemb] #bj1     
#bjah ,report$ ) an am5dm5t1 committ$ to
 ! ,committee ( ! ,:ole ,h\se on ! ,/ate
 ( ! ,union1 & ord]$ to be pr9t$ ,/rike 
out all aft] ! enact+ clause & ins]t !  
"p pr9t$ 9 italic ,= text ( introduc$   
bill1 see copy ( bill z introduc$ on    
,septemb] #ab1 #bjag  ,a ,,bill  ,to    
provide t an ,indian gr\p may receive   
,f$]al ackn[l$gm5t z an ,indian tribe   
only by an ,act ( ,congress4  #a4 ,%ort 
title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! ,tribal 
,recognition ,act ( #bjah4  #b4 ,f9d+s  
,congress f9ds z foll[s3  7#a7 ,article 
,i1 section #h1 clause #c ( !           
,con/itution 7commonly kn[n z ! ,indian 
,comm]ce ,clause7 gives ,congress       

au?ority ov] ,indian affairs4  7#b7 ,su*
 au?ority is pl5>y & exclusive4  7#c7   
,su* au?ority may n be ex]cis$ by !     
judicial bran* or by ! executive bran*  
7except to ! ext5t t su* au?ority has   
be5 expressly delegat$ to ! executive   
bran* by an ,act ( ,congress74  #c4     
,def9itions ,z us$ 9 ?is ,act3 7#a7     
,assi/ant ,secret>y ,! t]m ,assi/ant    
,secret>y means ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y ( 
,indian ,affairs1 or t (fic]'s au?oriz$ 
repres5tative4  7#b7 ,autonom\s ,! t]m  
autonom\s means ! ex]cise ( political   
influ5ce or au?ority indep5d5t ( !      
control ( any o!r ,indian gov]n+ entity4
 ,autonom\s mu/ be und]/ood 9 ! context 
( ! hi/ory1 geography1 culture1 & social
 organization ( ! petition+ gr\p4  7#c7 
,community ,! t]m ,community means any  
gr\p ( p :o c demon/rate t consi/5t     
int]actions & significant social        
relation%ips exi/ )9 its memb]%ip & t   
its memb]s are diff]5tiat$ f & id5tifi$ 
z di/9ct f nonmemb]s4 ,community mu/ be 
und]/ood 9 ! context ( ! hi/ory1        

geography1 culture1 & social            
organization ( ! gr\p4  7#d7 ,cont95tal 
,unit$ ,/ates ,! t]m cont95tal ,unit$   
,/ates means ! contigu\s #dh ,/ates &   
,alaska4  7#e7 ,cont9u\sly or cont9u\s  
,! t]m cont9u\sly or cont9u\s means     
ext5d+ f fir/ su/a9$ contact )          
non-,indians ?r\gh\t ! gr\p's hi/ory to 
! pres5t sub/antially )\t int]ruption4  
7#f7 ,docum5t$ petition ,! t]m docum5t$ 
petition means ! detail$ argum5ts made  
by a petition] to sub/antiate its claim 
to cont9u\s exi/5ce z an ,indian tribe1 
toge!r ) ! factual exposition & all     
docum5t>y evid5ce necess>y to demon/rate
 t ^! argum5ts address ! m&atory        
crit]ia4  7#g7 ,hi/orically1 hi/orical1 
or hi/ory ,! t]m hi/orically1 hi/orical1
 or hi/ory means dat+ f fir/ su/a9$     
contact ) non-,indians4  7#h7 ,indian   
gr\p or gr\p ,! t]m ,indian gr\p or gr\p
 means any ,indian or ,alaska ,native   
aggregation )9 ! cont95tal ,unit$ ,/ates
 t ! ,secret>y ( ! ,int]ior does n      
ackn[l$ge to be an ,indian tribe4       

,indian tribe1 also ref]r$ to h]e9 z    
tribe1 means any ,indian or ,alaska     
,native tribe1 b&1 pueblo1 village1 or  
community )9 ! cont95tal ,unit$ ,/ates t
 ! ,secret>y ( ! ,int]ior has lawfully  
ackn[l$g$ z an ,indian tribe4  7#i7     
,indig5\s ,! t]m indig5\s means native  
to ! cont95tal ,unit$ ,/ates 9 t at lea/
 "p ( ! petition]'s t]ritory at ! "t (  
su/a9$ contact ext5d$ into :at is n[ !  
cont95tal ,unit$ ,/ates4  7#aj7 ,in=m$  
p>ty ,! t]m in=m$ p>ty means any p]son  
or organization1 o!r ?an an int]e/$     
p>ty1 :o reque/s an opportunity to      
submit comm5ts or evid5ce or to be kept 
in=m$ ( g5]al actions reg>d+ a specific 
petition]4  7#aa7 ,int]e/$ p>ty ,! t]m  
int]e/$ p>ty means any p]son1           
organization1 or o!r entity :o c e/abli%
 a legal1 factual1 or prop]ty int]e/ 9  
an ackn[l$gm5t det]m9ation & :o reque/s 
an opportunity to submit comm5ts or     
evid5ce or to be kept in=m$ ( g5]al     
actions reg>d+ a specific petition]4    
,int]e/$ p>ty includes ! ,gov]nor &     

attorney g5]al ( ! ,/ate 9 :i* a        
petition] is locat$1 & may include1 b is
 n limit$ to1 local gov]nm5tal units1 & 
any recogniz$ ,indian tribes &          
unrecogniz$ ,indian gr\ps t might be    
affect$ by an ackn[l$gm5t det]m9ation4  
7#ab7 ,lett] ( int5t ,! t]m lett] (     
int5t means an undocum5t$ lett] or      
resolution by :i* an ,indian gr\p       
reque/s ,f$]al ackn[l$gm5t z an ,indian 
tribe & expresses its int5t to submit a 
docum5t$ petition4  7#ac7 ,petition] ,! 
t]m petition] means any entity t has    
submitt$ a lett] ( int5t to ! ,secret>y 
reque/+ ackn[l$gm5t t x is an ,indian   
tribe4  7#ad7 ,political influ5ce or    
au?ority ,! t]m political influ5ce or   
au?ority means a tribal c\ncil1         
lead]%ip1 int]nal process1 or o!r       
me*anism :i* ! gr\p has us$ z a means ( 
influ5c+ or controll+ ! behavior ( its  
memb]s 9 significant respects1 & mak+   
decisions = ! gr\p :i* sub/antially     
affect its memb]s1 & repres5t+ ! gr\p 9 
deal+ ) outsid]s 9 matt]s ( consequ5ce4 

,?is process is to be und]/ood 9 !      
context ( ! hi/ory1 culture1 & social   
organization ( ! gr\p4  7#ae7 ,previ\s  
,f$]al ackn[l$gm5t ,! t]m previ\s ,f$]al
 ackn[l$gm5t means action by ! ,f$]al   
,gov]nm5t cle>ly premis$ on             
id5tification ( a tribal political      
entity & indicat+ cle>ly ! recognition (
 a relation%ip betwe5 t entity & !      
,unit$ ,/ates4  7#af7 ,secret>y ,! t]m  
,secret>y means ! ,secret>y ( ! ,int]ior
 or t (fic]'s au?oriz$ repres5tative4   
7#ag7 ,su/a9$ contact ,! t]m su/a9$     
contact means ! p]iod ( e>lie/ su/a9$   
non-,indian settlem5t or gov]nm5tal     
pres5ce 9 ! local area 9 :i* ! hi/orical
 tribe or tribes f :i* ! petition]      
desc5ds 0 locat$ hi/orically4  #d4      
,gr\ps eligible to submit petitions  7a7
 ,eligible gr\ps ,indian gr\ps indig5\s 
to ! cont95tal ,unit$ ,/ates t are n    
f$]ally recogniz$ ,indian tribes on !   
date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act may submit 
a petition "u ?is ,act4  7b7 ,ineligible
 gr\ps ,! foll[+ may n submit a petition

 "u ?is ,act3 7#a7 ,spl9t] gr\ps1       
political factions1 communities1 or     
gr\ps ( any "* t sep>ate f ! ma9 body ( 
a f$]ally recogniz$ ,indian tribe1      
unless !y c e/abli% cle>ly t !y h       
function$ ?r\gh\t hi/ory until ! pres5t 
z an autonom\s tribal entity1 ev5 if !y 
h be5 reg>d$ by "s z "p ( or h be5      
associat$ 9 "s mann] ) a f$]ally        
recogniz$ ,indian tribe4  7#b7 ,indian  
tribes1 organiz$ b&s1 pueblos1 ,alaska  
native villages1 or communities t h be5 
lawfully ackn[l$g$ to be f$]ally        
recogniz$ ,indian tribes & are receiv+  
s]vices f ! ,bureau ( ,indian ,affairs4 
7#c7 ,gr\ps t petition$ & 7 d5i$ ,f$]al 
ackn[l$gm5t "u "p #hc ( title #be1 ,code
 ( ,f$]al ,regulations1 includ+         
reorganiz$ or recon/itut$ petition]s    
previ\sly d5i$1 or spl9t] gr\ps1        
sp9-(fs1 or compon5t gr\ps ( any type t 
7 once "p ( petition]s previ\sly d5i$4  
7#d7 ,gr\ps = :i* a docum5t$ petition   
has n be5 fil$ pursuant to section #i by
 ! date t is #e ye>s aft] ! date ( !    

enactm5t ( ?is ,act4  7c7 ,gr\ps )      
petitions 9 progress ,?is ,act1 includ+ 
! crit]ia 9 section #g1 %all apply to   
any ,indian gr\p ^: docum5t$ petition 0 
submitt$ & n d5i$ on ! date ( ! enactm5t
 ( ?is ,act4  #e4 ,fil+ a lett] ( int5t 
,any eligible ,indian gr\p 9 ! cont95tal
 ,unit$ ,/ates t believes x %\ld be     
ackn[l$g$ z an ,indian tribe & t x c    
satisfy ! crit]ia 9 ?is ,act may submit 
a lett] ( int5t reque/+ ackn[l$gm5t t an
 ,indian gr\p exi/s z an ,indian tribe4 
,! lett] ( int5t submitt$ "u ?is        
section--  7#a7 %all be fil$ ) !        
,assi/ant ,secret>y2  7#b7 may be fil$ 9
 advance (1 or at ! same "t z1 a gr\p's 
docum5t$ petition2 &  7#c7 %all be      
produc$1 dat$1 & sign$ by ! gov]n+ body 
( an ,indian gr\p4  #f4 ,duties ( !     
,assi/ant ,secret>y  7a7 ,guidel9es ,!  
,assi/ant ,secret>y %all make available 
guidel9es = ! prep>ation ( docum5t$     
petitions4 ,^! guidel9es--  7#a7 %all   
include an explanation ( ! crit]ia1 a   
discussion ( ! types ( evid5ce :i* may  

be us$ to demon/rate p>ticul> crit]ia1 &
 g5]al sugge/ions & guidel9es on h[ &   
:]e to conduct rese>*2  7#b7 %all       
include an example ( a docum5t$ petition
 =mat :i* %all provide guidance1 b n    
preclude ! use ( any o!r =mat2 &  7#c7  
may be supplem5t$ or updat$ z necess>y4 
7b7 ,rese>* & prep>ation ( petition ,!  
,assi/ant ,secret>y--  7#a7 %all provide
 petition]s ) sugge/ions & advice reg>d+
 prep>ation ( ! docum5t$ petition2 &    
7#b7 %all n be responsible = ! actual   
rese>* on behalf ( ! petition]4  #g4    
,crit]ia = ,f$]al ackn[l$gm5t ,! crit]ia
 = consid]ation = ,f$]al ackn[l$gm5t    
are1 at a m9imum1 ! foll[+3  7#a7 ,!    
petition] has be5 id5tifi$ z an ,am]ican
 ,indian entity on a sub/antially       
cont9u\s basis s9ce #aijj4 ,evid5ce t ! 
gr\p's "* z an ,indian entity has f "t  
to "t be5 d5i$ %all n be consid]$ to be 
conclusive evid5ce t ?is crit]ion has n 
be5 met4 ,evid5ce to be reli$ ^u 9      
det]m9+ a gr\p's ,indian id5tity may    
include "o or a comb9ation ( ! foll[+1 z

 well z o!r evid5ce ( id5tification by  
o!r ?an ! petition] itself or its       
memb]s3  7,a7 ,id5tification z an       
,indian entity by ,f$]al au?orities4    
7,b7 ,relation%ips ) ,/ate gov]nm5ts    
bas$ on id5tification ( ! gr\p z        
,indian4  7,c7 ,deal+s ) a c\nty1 p>i%1 
or o!r local gov]nm5t 9 a relation%ip   
bas$ on ! gr\p's ,indian id5tity4  7,d7 
,id5tification z an ,indian entity by   
an?ropologi/s1 hi/orians1 or o!r s*ol>s4
  7,e7 ,id5tification z an ,indian      
entity 9 newspap]s & books4  7,f7       
,id5tification z an ,indian entity 9    
relation%ips ) ,indian tribes or )      
national1 regional1 or ,/ate ,indian    
organizations4  7#b7 ,a pr$om9ant       
portion ( ! petition+ gr\p comprises a  
di/9ct community & has exi/$ z a        
community f hi/orical times until !     
pres5t4  7,a7 ,?is crit]ion may be      
demon/rat$ by "s comb9ation ( ! foll[+  
evid5ce & o!r evid5ce t ! petition]     
meets ! def9ition ( community3  7i7     
,significant rates ( m>riage )9 ! gr\p1 

or1 z may be culturally requir$1 patt]n$
 out-m>riages ) o!r ,indian populations4
  7ii7 ,significant social relation%ips 
connect+ individual memb]s4  7iii7      
,significant rates ( in=mal social      
int]action :i* exi/ broadly among !     
memb]s ( a gr\p4  7iv7 ,a significant   
degree ( %>$ or coop]ative labor or o!r 
economic activity among ! memb]%ip4  7v7
 ,evid5ce ( /rong patt]ns (             
discrim9ation or o!r social di/9ctions  
by nonmemb]s4  7vi7 ,%>$ sacr$ or secul>
 ritual activity encompass+ mo/ ( !     
gr\p4  7vii7 ,cultural patt]ns %>$ among
 a significant portion ( ! gr\p t are   
diff]5t f ^? ( ! non-,indian populations
 ) :om x int]acts4 ,^! patt]ns mu/      
function z m ?an a symbolic             
id5tification ( ! gr\p z ,indian4 ,!y   
may include1 b are n limit$ to1         
language1 k9%ip organization1 or        
religi\s beliefs & practices4  7viii7 ,!
 p]si/5ce ( a nam$1 collective ,indian  
id5tity cont9u\sly ov] a p]iod ( m ?an  
#ej ye>s1 not)/&+ *anges 9 "n4  7ix7 ,a 

demon/ration ( hi/orical political      
influ5ce "u ! crit]ion 9 p>agraph 7#c7  
%all be evid5ce = demon/rat+ hi/orical  
community4  7,b7 ,a petition] %all be   
consid]$ to h provid$ suffici5t evid5ce 
( community at a giv5 po9t 9 "t if      
evid5ce is provid$ to demon/rate any "o 
( ! foll[+3  7i7 ,m ?an #ej p]c5t ( !   
memb]s reside 9 a geographical area     
exclusively or almo/ exclusively compos$
 ( memb]s ( ! gr\p1 & ! balance ( ! gr\p
 ma9ta9s consi/5t int]action ) "s memb]s
 ( ! community4  7ii7 ,at lea/ #ej p]c5t
 ( ! m>riages 9 ! gr\p are betwe5 memb]s
 ( ! gr\p4  7iii7 ,at lea/ #ej p]c5t ( !
 gr\p memb]s ma9ta9 di/9ct cultural     
patt]ns su* z1 b n limit$ to1 language1 
k9%ip organization1 or religi\s beliefs 
& practices4  7iv7 ,!re are di/9ct      
community social in/itutions encompass+ 
mo/ ( ! memb]s1 su* z k9%ip             
organizations1 =mal or in=mal economic  
coop]ation1 or religi\s organizations4  
7v7 ,! gr\p has met ! crit]ion 9        
p>agraph 7#c7 us+ evid5ce describ$ 9    

p>agraph 7#c77;,b74  7#c7 ,! petition]  
has ma9ta9$ political influ5ce or       
au?ority ov] its memb]s z an autonom\s  
entity f hi/orical times until ! pres5t4
  7,a7 ,?is crit]ion may be demon/rat$  
by "s comb9ation ( ! evid5ce li/$ bel[ &
 by o!r evid5ce t ! petition] meets !   
def9ition ( political influ5ce or       
au?ority3  7i7 ,! gr\p is able to       
mobilize significant numb]s ( memb]s &  
significant res\rces f its memb]s = gr\p
 purposes4  7ii7 ,mo/ ( ! memb]%ip      
consid]s issues act$ ^u or actions tak5 
by gr\p lead]s or gov]n+ bodies to be ( 
importance4  7iii7 ,!re is widespread k1
 communication1 & involvem5t 9 political
 processes by mo/ ( ! gr\p's memb]s4    
7iv7 ,! gr\p meets ! crit]ion 9 p>agraph
 7#b7 at m ?an a m9imal level4  7v7 ,!re
 are int]nal conflicts :i* %[ controv]sy
 ov] valu$ gr\p goals1 prop]ties1       
policies1 processes1 & decisions4  7,b7 
,a petition+ gr\p %all be consid]$ to h 
provid$ suffici5t evid5ce to demon/rate 
! ex]cise ( political influ5ce or       

au?ority at a giv5 po9t 9 "t by         
demon/rat+ t gr\p lead]s & o!r me*anisms
 exi/ or exi/$ :i*--  7i7 allocate gr\p 
res\rces su* z l&1 resid5ce rights1 & ! 
l on a consi/5t basis2  7ii7 settle     
disputes betwe5 memb]s or subgr\ps by   
m$iation or o!r means on a regul> basis2
  7iii7 ex]t /rong influ5ce on !        
behavior ( individual memb]s1 su* z !   
e/abli%m5t or ma9t5ance ( norms & !     
en=cem5t ( sanctions to direct or       
control behavior2 &  7iv7 organize or   
influ5ce economic subsi/5ce activities  
among ! memb]s1 includ+ %>$ or          
coop]ative labor4  7,c7 ,a gr\p t has   
met ! requirem5ts 9 p>agraph 7#b77;,b7  
at a giv5 po9t 9 "t %all be consid]$ to 
h provid$ suffici5t evid5ce to meet ?is 
crit]ion at t po9t 9 "t4  7#d7 ,a copy (
 ! gr\p's pres5t gov]n+ docum5t includ+ 
its memb]%ip crit]ia4 ,9 ! abs5ce ( a   
writt5 docum5t1 ! petition] mu/ provide 
a /atem5t describ+ 9 full its memb]%ip  
crit]ia & curr5t gov]n+ proc$ures4  7#e7
 ,! petition]'s memb]%ip consi/s (      

individuals :o desc5d f a hi/orical     
,indian tribe or f hi/orical ,indian    
tribes :i* comb9$ & function$ z a s+le  
autonom\s political entity4  7,a7 ,"s   
types ( evid5ce t c be us$ = ?is purpose
 include ! foll[+3 7i7 ,rolls prep>$ by 
! ,secret>y on a desc5dancy basis =     
purposes ( di/ribut+ claims money1      
provid+ allotm5ts1 or o!r purposes4     
7ii7 ,/ate1 ,f$]al1 or o!r (ficial      
records or evid5ce id5tify+ pres5t      
memb]s or ance/ors ( pres5t memb]s z be+
 desc5dants ( a hi/orical tribe or      
tribes t comb9$ & function$ z a s+le    
autonom\s political entity4  7iii7      
,*ur*1 s*ool1 & o!r simil> enrollm5t    
records id5tify+ pres5t memb]s or       
ance/ors ( pres5t memb]s z be+          
desc5dants ( a hi/orical tribe or tribes
 t comb9$ & function$ z a s+le autonom\s
 political entity4  7iv7 ,affidavits (  
recognition by tribal eld]s1 lead]s1 or 
! tribal gov]n+ body id5tify+ pres5t    
memb]s or ance/ors ( pres5t memb]s z be+
 desc5dants ( a hi/orical tribe or      

tribes t comb9$ & function$ z a s+le    
autonom\s political entity4  7v7 ,o!r   
records or evid5ce id5tify+ pres5t      
memb]s or ance/ors ( pres5t memb]s z be+
 desc5dants ( a hi/orical tribe or      
tribes t comb9$ & function$ z a s+le    
autonom\s political entity4  7,b7 ,!    
petition] mu/ provide an (ficial        
memb]%ip li/1 sep>ately c]tifi$ by !    
gr\p's gov]n+ body1 ( all kn[n curr5t   
memb]s ( ! gr\p4 ,?is li/ mu/ include   
ea* memb]'s full "n 7includ+ maid5 "n71 
date ( bir?1 & curr5t resid5tial        
address4 ,! petition] mu/ also provide a
 copy ( ea* available =m] li/ ( memb]s  
bas$ on ! gr\p's own def9$ crit]ia1 z   
well z a /atem5t describ+ ! circum/ances
 surr\nd+ ! prep>ation ( ! curr5t li/ &1
 ins(> z possible1 ! circum/ances       
surr\nd+ ! prep>ation ( =m] li/s4  7#f7 
,! memb]%ip ( ! petition+ gr\p is       
compos$ pr9cipally ( p]sons :o are n    
memb]s ( any ackn[l$g$ ,nor? ,am]ican   
,indian tribe4 ,h[ev]1 "u c]ta9         
conditions a petition+ gr\p may be      

ackn[l$g$ ev5 if its memb]%ip is compos$
 pr9cipally ( p]sons ^: names h appe>$  
on rolls (1 or :o h be5 o!rwise         
associat$ )1 an ackn[l$g$ ,indian tribe4
 ,! conditions are t ! gr\p mu/ e/abli% 
t x has function$ ?r\gh\t hi/ory until !
 pres5t z a sep>ate & autonom\s ,indian 
tribal entity1 t its memb]s d n ma9ta9 a
 bilat]al political relation%ip ) !     
ackn[l$g$ tribe1 & t its memb]s h       
provid$ writt5 confirmation ( _!        
memb]%ip 9 ! petition+ gr\p4  7#g7      
,nei!r ! petition] nor its memb]s are ! 
subject ( an ,act ( ,congress t has     
expressly t]m9at$ or =bidd5 ! ,f$]al    
relation%ip4  #h4 ,previ\s ,f$]al       
ackn[l$gm5t  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,unambigu\s   
previ\s ,f$]al ackn[l$gm5t %all be      
acceptable evid5ce ( ! tribal "* ( a    
petition] to ! date ( ! la/ su* previ\s 
ackn[l$gm5t4 ,if a petition] provides   
sub/antial evid5ce ( unambigu\s ,f$]al  
ackn[l$gm5t1 ! petition] %all only be   
requir$ to demon/rate t x meets !       
requirem5ts ( section #g to ! ext5t     

requir$ by ?is section4 ,a det]m9ation (
 ! adequacy ( ! evid5ce ( previ\s ,f$]al
 action ackn[l$g+ tribal /atus %all be  
made dur+ ! te*nical assi/ance review ( 
! docum5t$ petition conduct$ pursuant to
 section #aj7;b74  7b7 ,evid5ce ,evid5ce
 to demon/rate previ\s ,f$]al           
ackn[l$gm5t includes evid5ce t ! gr\p-- 
7#a7 has _h treaty relations ) ! ,unit$ 
,/ates2  7#b7 has be5 d5om9at$ a tribe  
by an ,act ( ,congress or ,executive    
ord]2 &  7#c7 has be5 treat$ by ! ,f$]al
 ,gov]nm5t z hav+ collective rights 9   
tribal l&s or funds4  #i4 ,notice (     
receipt ( a petition  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,n   
lat] ?an #cj days aft] receiv+ a lett] (
 int5t1 or a docum5t$ petition if a     
lett] ( int5t has n previ\sly be5       
receiv$ & notic$1 ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y 
%all ackn[l$ge to ! s5d] su* receipt 9  
writ+4 ,notice "u ?is subsection %all-- 
7#a7 include ! "n1 location1 & mail+    
address ( ! petition] & su* o!r         
in=mation to id5tify ! entity submitt+ !
 lett] ( int5t or docum5t$ petition & ! 

date x 0 receiv$2  7#b7 s]ve to ann\nce 
! opportunity = int]e/$ p>ties & in=m$  
p>ties to submit factual or legal       
argum5ts 9 support ( or 9 opposition to 
! petition]'s reque/ = ackn[l$gm5t or to
 reque/ to be kept in=m$ ( all g5]al    
actions affect+ ! petition2 &  7#c7     
indicate :]e a copy ( ! lett] ( int5t & 
! docum5t$ petition may be exam9$4  7b7 
,notice to ,/ate gov]nm5ts ,! ,assi/ant 
,secret>y %all notify1 9 writ+--  7#a7 !
 ,gov]nor & attorney g5]al ( ! ,/ate or 
,/ates 9 :i* a petition] is locat$2 &   
7#b7 any recogniz$ tribe & any o!r      
petition] t--  7,a7 appe>s to h a       
hi/orical or pres5t relation%ip ) !     
petition]2 or  7,b7 may o!rwise be      
consid]$ to h a pot5tial int]e/ 9 !     
ackn[l$gm5t det]m9ation4  7c7           
,publication ,n lat] ?an #fj days aft]  
receiv+ a lett] ( int5t1 or a docum5t$  
petition if a lett] ( int5t has n       
previ\sly be5 receiv$ & notic$1 !       
,assi/ant ,secret>y %all h ! notice     
requir$ "u ?is section publi%$--  7#a7 9

 ! ,f$]al ,regi/]2 &  7#b7 9 a major    
newspap] or newspap]s ( g5]al           
circulation 9 ! t[n or city ne>e/ to !  
petition]4  #aj4 ,process+ ( ! docum5t$ 
petition  7a7 ,review ,^u receipt ( a   
docum5t$ petition1 ! ,assi/ant          
,secret>y-- 7#a7 %all cause a review to 
be conduct$ to det]m9e ! ext5t to :i* ! 
petition] has met ! crit]ia set =? 9    
section #g2  7#b7 %all include          
consid]ation ( ! docum5t$ petition & !  
factual /atem5ts conta9$ !re92  7#c7 may
 initiate o!r rese>* = any purpose      
relative to analyz+ ! docum5t$ petition 
& obta9+ additional in=mation ab\t !    
petition]'s /atus2 &  7#d7 may consid]  
any evid5ce :i* may be submitt$ by      
int]e/$ p>ties or in=m$ p>ties4  7b7    
,te*nical assi/ance  7#a7 ,prior to     
review ( ! docum5t$ petition "u         
subsection 7a71 ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y   
%all conduct a prelim9>y review ( !     
petition 9 ord] to provide te*nical     
assi/ance to ! petition]4  7#b7 ,!      
review "u p>agraph 7#a7 %all be a       

prelim9>y review = ! purpose ( provid+ !
 petition] an opportunity to supplem5t  
or revise ! docum5t$ petition prior to !
 review "u subsection 7a74 ,ins(> z     
possible1 te*nical assi/ance reviews "u 
?is p>agraph w be conduct$ 9 ! ord] (   
receipt ( docum5t$ petitions4 ,h[ev]1   
te*nical assi/ance reviews w n h        
priority ov] active consid]ation (      
docum5t$ petitions4  7#c7 ,aft] !       
te*nical assi/ance review1 ! ,assi/ant  
,secret>y %all notify ! petition] by    
lett] ( any obvi\s defici5cies or       
significant omissions app>5t 9 !        
docum5t$ petition & provide ! petition] 
) an opportunity to )draw ! docum5t$    
petition = fur!r "w or to submit        
additional in=mation4  7#d7 ,if a       
petition]'s docum5t$ petition claims    
previ\s ,f$]al ackn[l$gm5t or includes  
evid5ce ( previ\s ,f$]al ackn[l$gm5t1 ! 
te*nical assi/ance review %all also     
include a review to det]m9e :e!r t      
evid5ce is suffici5t to meet !          
requirem5ts ( previ\s ,f$]al            

ackn[l$gm5t4  7c7 ,response to te*nical 
assi/ance review  7#a7 ,petition]s may  
respond 9 "p or 9 full to ! te*nical    
assi/ance review lett] or reque/1 9     
writ+1 t ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y proce$ ) 
! active consid]ation ( ! docum5t$      
petition us+ ! mat]ials already         
submitt$4  7#b7 ,if ! petition] reque/s 
t ! mat]ials submitt$ 9 response to !   
te*nical assi/ance review lett] be aga9 
review$ = adequacy1 ! ,assi/ant         
,secret>y %all provide ! additional     
review4  7#c7 ,if ! ass]tion ( previ\s  
,f$]al ackn[l$gm5t "u section #h _c be  
sub/antiat$ dur+ ! te*nical assi/ance   
review1 ! petition] may respond by      
provid+ additional evid5ce4 ,a petition]
 t claims previ\s ,f$]al ackn[l$gm5t &  
fails to respond to a te*nical assi/ance
 review lett] "u ?is subsection1 or ^:  
response fails to e/abli% ! claim1 %all 
h its docum5t$ petition consid]$ on !   
same basis z docum5t$ petitions submitt$
 by gr\ps n claim+ previ\s ,f$]al       
ackn[l$gm5t4 ,petition]s t fail to      

demon/rate previ\s ,f$]al ackn[l$gm5t   
aft] a review ( mat]ials submitt$ 9     
response to ! te*nical assi/ance review 
%all be s notifi$4 ,su* petition]s may  
submit additional mat]ials conc]n+      
previ\s ackn[l$gm5t dur+ ! c\rse (      
active consid]ation4  7d7 ,consid]ation 
( docum5t$ petitions ,! ,assi/ant       
,secret>y %all-- 7#a7 review docum5t$   
petitions 9 ! ord] t !y are det]m9$     
ready = review2  7#b7 e/abli% & ma9ta9 a
 numb]$ regi/] ( docum5t$ petitions :i* 
h be5 det]m9$ ready = active            
consid]ation2  7#c7 ma9ta9 a numb]$     
regi/] ( lett]s ( int5t or incomplete   
petitions bas$ on ! orig9al date ! item 
0 receiv$ by ! ,dep>tm5t ( ! ,int]ior2 &
  7#d7 use ! regi/] ( lett]s ( int5t or 
incomplete petitions to det]m9e ! ord] (
 review by ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y if two 
or m docum5t$ petitions are det]m9$     
ready = review on ! same date4  7e7     
,report ,n lat] ?an #a ye> aft] notify+ 
! petition] t review ( ! docum5t$       
petition has begun1 ! ,assi/ant         

,secret>y %all--  7#a7 submit a report  
includ+ a summ>y ( ! evid5ce1 f9d+s1    
petition1 & support+ docum5tation1 to ! 
,committee on ,natural ,res\rces ( !    
,h\se ( ,repres5tatives & ! ,committee  
on ,indian ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate2  7#b7   
notify ! petition] & int]e/$ p>ties t ! 
review is complete & ! report requir$ "u
 p>agraph 7#a7 has be5 submitt$2  7#c7  
provide copies ( ! report to ! petition]
 & int]e/$ p>ties2 &  7#d7 provide      
copies ( ! report to in=m$ p>ties & o!rs
 ^u writt5 reque/4  #aa4 ,cl>ification (
 ,f$]al recognition au?ority  7a7 ,act (
 ,congress requir$ ,an ,indian gr\p may 
receive ,f$]al ackn[l$gm5t 7or          
reackn[l$gm5t7 z an ,indian tribe only  
by an ,act ( ,congress4 ,! ,secret>y may
 n grant ,f$]al ackn[l$gm5t 7or         
reackn[l$gm5t7 to any ,indian gr\p4  7b7
 ,previ\s ackn[l$gm5t ,?is ,act %all n  
affect ! /atus ( any ,indian tribe t 0  
f$]ally ackn[l$g$ be=e ! date ( !       
enactm5t ( ?is ,act4  #ab4 ,=ce & effect
 ( regulations ,"p #hc ( title #be1     

,code ( ,f$]al ,regulations1 %all h no  
=ce or effect1 & section #a4b ( title   
#be1 ,code ( ,f$]al ,regulations1 )     
respect to any regulation promulgat$ by 
! ,secret>y pursuant to ?is ,act1 %all h
 no =ce or effect4  #ac4 ,tru/ l&       
reaffirmation ,all l& tak5 into tru/ by 
! ,unit$ ,/ates "u or pursuant to ! ,act
 ( ,june #ah1 #aicd 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #eaja
 et seq471 be=e ,febru>y #bd1 #bjji1 = !
 b5efit ( an ,indian tribe t 0 f$]ally  
recogniz$ on ! date t ! l& 0 tak5 into  
tru/ is h]eby reaffirm$ z tru/ l&4      
,septemb] #bj1 #bjah ,report$ ) an      
am5dm5t1 committ$ to ! ,committee ( !   
,:ole ,h\se on ! ,/ate ( ! ,union1 &    
ord]$ to be pr9t$