Authorizing Legislation (NAPA 1974)

NATIVE AMERICAN PROGRAMS ACT OF 1974

Legislative Authority: Native American Programs Act of 1974, as amended.

U.S. Code Citation: 42 USC 2991 et seq.

ACF: Regulations: 45 CFR 1336.

Legislative History: The Native Americans Programs Act of 1974 was enacted as Title VIII of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, PL 88-452 (8/20/64), as added by PL 93-644 (1/4/75). The Act has been amended by the Older Americans Act Amendments of 1987, PL 100-175 (11/30/87) the Indian Reorganization Act Amendments, PL 100-581 (11/1/88) and the Indian Environmental Regulatory Enhancement Act of 1990, PL 101-408 (10/4/90). In 1992, it was amended by PL 102-375 (9/30/92), the Older Americans Act Amendments of 1992; PL 102-524 (10/26/92), the Native American Languages Act of 1992; and PL 102-497 (10/26/92), Technical Amendments to Certain Indian Statutes. In 1993, it was amended by the Older Americans Act Technical Amendments of 1993, PL 103-171 (12/2/93). Most recently it was amended by the Native American Programs Acts Amendments of 1997, PL 105-361 (11/10/98).

NOTE CAREFULLY: This compilation, [dated 12/18/98,] was prepared by ACF/OLAB and reviewed by the Office of the General Counsel. While HHS staff have striven to ensure that the compilation is accurate and complete, we cannot guarantee that it is free from error. Users needing to know the precise text of the law (for example, for purposes of citation in a legal document) are advised to check the text of this compilation against the slip law or the published volumes of the United States Code.

Sec. 801. Short Title p. 2

Sec. 802. Statement of Purpose p. 2

Sec. 803. Financial Assistance for Native American Projects p. 2

Sec. 803A. Loan Fund; Demonstration Project p. 3

Sec. 803B. Establishment of the Administration for Native Americans p. 5

Sec. 803C. Grant Program to Ensure the Survival and Continuing Vitality of Native American Language p. 6

Sec. 804. Technical Assistance and Training p. 9

Sec. 805. Research, Demonstration, and Pilot Projects p. 9

Sec. 806. Panel Review of Applications for Assistance p. 9

Sec. 807. Announcement of Research, Demonstration, or Pilot Projects p.10

Sec. 808. Submission of Plans to State and Local Officials p.11

Sec. 809. Records and Audits p.11

Sec. 810. Appeals, Notice and Hearings p.11

Sec. 811. Evaluation p.12

Sec. 811A. Annual Report p.12

Sec. 812. Labor Standards p.13

Sec. 812 A. Staff p.13

Sec. 813. Administration; Delegation of Authority p.13

Sec. 814. Additional Requirements Applicable to Rulemaking p.13

Sec. 815. Definitions p.14

Sec. 816. Authorization of Appropriations p.15

SHORT TITLE

Sec. 801. [42 U.S.C. 2991] This title may be cited as the "Native American Programs Act of 1974".

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Sec. 802. [42 U.S.C. 2991a] The purpose of this title is to promote the goal of economic and social self-sufficiency for American Indians, Native Hawaiians, other Native American Pacific Islanders (including American Samoan Natives), and Alaska Native.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR NATIVE AMERICAN PROJECTS

Sec. 803. [42 U.S.C. 2991b] (a) The Commissioner is authorized to provide financial assistance on a single year or multiyear basis to public and nonprofit private agencies, including but not limited to, governing bodies of Indian tribes on Federal and State reservations, Alaska Native villages and regional corporations established by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, and such public and nonprofit private agencies serving Native Hawaiians, and Indian and Alaska Native organizations in urban or rural areas that are not Indian reservations or Alaska Native villages, for projects pertaining to the purposes of this title. The Commissioner is authorized to provide financial assistance to public and nonprofit private agencies serving other Native American Pacific Islanders (including American Samoan Natives) for projects pertaining to the purposes of this Act. In determining the projects to be assisted under this title, the Commissioner shall consult with other Federal agencies for the purpose of eliminating duplication or conflict among similar activities or projects and for the purpose of determining whether the findings resulting from those projects may be incorporated into one or more programs for which those agencies are responsible. Every determination made with respect to a request for financial assistance under this section shall be made without regard to whether the agency making such request serves, or the project to be assisted is for the benefit of, Indians who are not members of a federally recognized tribe. To the greatest extent practicable, the Commissioner shall ensure that each project to be assisted under this title is consistent with the priorities established by the agency which receives such assistance.

(b) Financial assistance extended to an agency under this title shall not exceed 80 per centum of the approved costs of the assisted project, except that the Commissioner may approve assistance in excess of such percentage if the Commissioner determines, in accordance with regulations establishing objective criteria, that such action is required in furtherance of the purposes of this title. Non-Federal contributions may be in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including but not limited to plant, equipment, and services. The Commissioner shall not require non-Federal contributions in excess of 20 per centum of the approved costs of programs or activities assisted under this title.

(c)(1) No project shall be approved for assistance under this title unless the Commissioner is satisfied that the activities to be carried out under such project will be in addition to, and not in substitution for, comparable activities previously carried out without Federal assistance, except that the Commissioner may waive this requirement in any case in which the Commissioner determines, in accordance with regulations establishing objective criteria, that application of the requirement would result in unnecessary hardship or otherwise be inconsistent with the purposes of this title.

(2) No project may be disapproved for assistance under this title solely because the agency requesting such assistance is an Indian organization in a nonreservation area or serves Indians in a nonreservation area.

(d)(1) The Commissioner shall award grants to Indian tribes for the purpose of funding 80 percent of the costs of planning, developing, and implementing programs designed to improve the capability of the governing body of the Indian tribe to regulate environmental quality pursuant to Federal and tribal environmental laws.

(2) The purposes for which funds provided under any grant awarded under paragraph (1) may be used include, but are not limited to--

(A) the training and education of employees responsible for enforcing, or monitoring compliance with, environmental quality laws,

(B) the development of tribal laws on environmental quality, and

(3) The 20 percent of the costs of planning, developing, and implementing a program for which a grant is awarded under paragraph (1) that are not to be paid from such grant may be paid by the grant recipient in cash or through the provision of property or services, but only to the extent that such cash or property is from any source (including any Federal agency) other than a program, contract, or grant authorized under this title.

(4) Grants shall be awarded under paragraph (1) on the basis of applications that are submitted by Indian tribes to the Commissioner in such form as the Commissioner shall prescribe.

LOAN FUND; DEMONSTRATION PROJECT

Sec. 803A. [42 U.S.C. 2991b-1] (a)(1) In order to provide funding that is not available from private sources, the Commissioner shall award a grant to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs of the State of Hawaii (referred to in this section as the 'Office'), which shall use that grant to carry out, in the State of Hawaii, a demonstration project involving the establishment of a revolving loan fund--

(A) from which the Office shall make loans or loan guarantees to Native Hawaiian organizations and to individual Native Hawaiians for the purpose of promoting economic development in the State of Hawaii; and

(B) into which all payments, interest, charges, and other amounts collected from loans made under subparagraph (A) shall be deposited notwithstanding any other provision of law.

(2) The agreement under which a grant is awarded under paragraph (1) shall contain provisions which set forth the administrative costs of the grantee that are to be paid out of the funds provided under the grant and a requirement that the grantee contribute to the revolving loan fund an amount of non-federal funds equal to the amount of such grant.

(b)(1) The Office may make a loan or loan guarantee to a borrower under subsection (a)(1)(A) only if the Office determines that--

(A) the borrower is unable to obtain financing from other sources on reasonable terms and conditions; and

(B) there is a reasonable prospect that the borrower will repay the loan.

(2) Each loan or loan guarantee made under subsection (a)(1)(A) shall be--

(A) for a term that does not exceed 7 years; and

(B) at a rate of interest that does not exceed a rate equal to the sum of--

(I) the most recently published prime rate (as published in the newspapers of general circulation in the State of Hawaii before the date on which the loan is made); and

(II) 3 percentage points.

(3) The Office may require any borrower of a loan made under subsection (a)(1)(A) to provide such collateral as the agency or organization determines to be necessary to secure the loan.

(4) Prior to making loans under subsection (a)(1)(A), the Office shall establish written procedures and definitions pertaining to defaults and collections of payments under the loans which shall be subject to the review and approval of the Commissioner. Such Office shall provide to each applicant for a loan under subsection (a)(1)(A), at the time application for the loan is made, a written copy of such procedures and definitions.

(5) The Office may not lend to itself any of the funds awarded under the grant.

(c)(1) The Office shall provide the Commissioner at regular intervals written notice of each loan made under subsection (a)(1)(A) that is in default and the status of such loan.

(2)(A) After making reasonable efforts to collect all amounts payable under a loan made under subsection (a)(1)(A) that is in default, the Office shall notify the Commissioner that such loan is uncollectible or collectable only at an unreasonable cost. Such notice shall include recommendations for future action to be taken by the Office.

(B) Upon receiving such notice, the Commissioner shall instruct the Office--

(i) to continue with its collection activities;

(ii) to cancel, adjust, compromise, or reduce the amount of such loan; or

(iii) to modify any term or condition of such loan, including any term or condition relating to the rate of interest or the time of payment of any installment of principal or interest, or portion thereof, that is payable under such loan.

(d)(1) The Office shall, out of funds available in the revolving loan fund established under such subsection--

(A) pay expenses incurred by the Office in administering the revolving loan fund; and

(B) provide competent management and technical assistance to borrowers of loans made under subsection (a)(1)(A) to assist the borrowers to achieve the purposes of such loans.

(2) The Commissioner shall provide to the Office such management and technical assistance as the Office may request in order to carry out the provisions of this section.

(e) Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of the Native American Programs Act Amendments of 1987, the Commissioner, in consultation with appropriate agencies of the State of Hawaii and community-based Native Hawaiian organizations, shall prescribe regulations which set forth the procedures and criteria to be used--

(1) in making loans under subsection (a)(1)(A); and

(2) in canceling, adjusting, compromising, and reducing under subsection (c) the outstanding amounts of such loans. The Commissioner may prescribe such other regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this section, including regulations involving reporting and auditing.

(f)(1) There is authorized to be appropriated in each of the fiscal years 2000 and 2001, $1,000,000 for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this section. Any amount appropriated under this paragraph shall remain available for expenditure without fiscal year limitation.

(2) The revolving loan fund that is required to be established under subsection (a)(1) shall be maintained as a separate account. Any portion of the revolving loan fund that is not required for expenditure shall be invested in obligations of the United States or in obligations guaranteed or insured by the United States.

(g)(1) The Commissioner, in consultation with the Office, shall submit a report to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives not later than January 1 following each fiscal year, regarding the administration of this section in such fiscal year.

(2) Such report shall include the views and recommendations of the Commissioner with respect to the revolving loan fund established under subsection (a)(1) and with respect to the loans made from such fund, and shall--

(A) describe the effectiveness of the operation of such fund in improving the economic and social self-sufficiency of Native Hawaiians;

(B) specify the number of loans made in such fiscal year;

(D) specify the number of borrowers who fail in such fiscal year to repay loans in accordance with the agreements under which such loans are required to be repaid.

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ADMINISTRATION FOR NATIVE AMERICANS

Sec. 803B. [42 U.S.C. 2991b-2] (a) There is established in the Department of Health and Human Services (referred to in this title as the 'Department') the Administration for Native Americans (referred to in this title as the 'Administration'), which shall be headed by a Commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans (referred to in this title as the 'Commissioner'). The Administration shall be the agency responsible for carrying out the provisions of this title.

(b) The Commissioner shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(1) provide for financial assistance, loan funds, technical assistance, training, research and demonstration projects, and other activities, described in this title;

(2) serve as the effective and visible advocate on behalf of Native Americans within the Department, and with other departments and agencies of the Federal Government regarding all Federal policies affecting Native Americans;

(3) with the assistance of the Intra-Departmental Council on Native American Affairs established by subsection (d)(1), coordinate activities within the Department leading to the development of policies, programs, and budgets, and their administration affecting Native Americans, and provide quarterly reports and recommendations to the Secretary;

(4) collect and disseminate information related to the social and economic conditions of Native Americans, and assist the Secretary in preparing an annual report to the Congress about such conditions;

(5) give preference to agencies described in section 803(a) that are eligible for assistance under this title, in entering into contracts for technical assistance, training, and evaluation under this title; and

(6) encourage agencies that carry out projects under this title, to give preference to Native Americans in hiring and entering into contracts to carry out such projects.

(d)(1) There is established in the Office of the Secretary the Intra-Departmental Council on Native American Affairs. The Commissioner shall be the chairperson of such Council and shall advise the Secretary on all matters affecting Native Americans that involve the Department. The Director of the Indian Health Services shall serve as vice chairperson of the Council.

(2) The membership of the Council shall be the heads of the principal operating divisions within the Department, as determined by the Secretary, and such persons in the Office of the Secretary as the Secretary may designate.

(3) In addition to the duties described in subsection (c)(3), the Council shall, within 180 days following the date of the enactment of the Native American Programs Act Amendments of 1992, prepare a plan, including legislative recommendations, to allow tribal governments and other organizations described in section 803(a) to consolidate grants administered by the Department and to designate a single office to oversee and audit the grants. Such plan shall be submitted to the committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives having jurisdiction over the Administration for Native Americans.

(e) The Secretary shall assure that adequate staff and administrative support is provided to carry out the purpose of this title. In determining the staffing levels of the Administration, the Secretary shall consider among other factors the unmet needs of the Native American population, the need to provide adequate oversight and technical assistance to grantees, the need to carry out the activities of the Council, the additional reporting requirements established, and the staffing levels previously maintained in support of the Administration.

NATIVE AMERICAN LANGUAGES GRANT PROGRAM

Sec. 803C. GRANT PROGRAM TO ENSURE THE SURVIVAL AND CONTINUING VITALITY OF NATIVE AMERICAN LANGUAGES.

(a) AUTHORITY TO AWARD GRANTS.--The Secretary shall award a grant to any agency or organization that is -

(1) eligible for financial assistance under section 803(a); and

(2) selected under subsection (c); to be used to assist Native Americans in ensuring the survival and continuing vitality of native American languages.

(b) PURPOSES FOR WHICH GRANTS MAY BE USED.--The purposes for which each grant awarded under subsection (a) may be used include, but are not limited to--

(1) the establishment and support of a community Native American language project to bring older and younger Native Americans together to facilitate and encourage the transfer of Native American language skills from one generation to another;

(2) the establishment of a project to train Native Americans to teach a Native American language to others or to enable them to serve as interpreters or translators of such language;

(3) the development, printing, and dissemination of materials to be used for the teaching and enhancement of a Native American language;

(4) the establishment or support of a project to train Native Americans to produce or participate in a television or radio program to be broadcast in a Native American language;

(5) the compilation, transcription, and analysis of oral testimony to record and preserve a Native American language; and

(6) the purchase of equipment (including audio and video recording equipment, computers, and software) required to conduct a Native American language project.

(c) APPLICATIONS.--For the purpose of making grants under subsection (a), the Secretary shall select applicants from among agencies and organizations described in such subsection on the basis of applications submitted to the Secretary at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Secretary shall require, but each application shall include at a minimum--

(1) a detailed description of the current status of the Native American language to be addressed by the project for which a grant under subsection (a) is requested, including a description of existing programs and projects, if any, in support of such language;

(2) a detailed description of the project for which such grant is requested;

(3) a statement of objectives that are consonant with the purpose described in subsection (a);

(4) a detailed description of a plan to be carried out by the applicant to evaluate such project, consonant with the purpose for which such grant is made;

(5) if appropriate, an identification of opportunities for the replication of such project or the modification of such project for use by other Native Americans; and

(6) a plan for the preservation of the products of the Native American language project for the benefit of future generations of Native Americans and other interested persons.

(d) PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS.--If a tribal organization or other eligible applicant decides that the objectives of its proposed Native American language project would be accomplished more effectively through a partnership arrangement with a school, college or university, the applicant shall identify such school, college or university as a participating organization in the application under subsection (c).

(e) LIMITATIONS ON FUNDING.--

(1) SHARE.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a grant made under subsection (a) may not be expended to pay more than 80 percent of the cost of the project that is assisted by such grant. Not less than 20 percent of such cost--

(A) shall be cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including plant, equipment or services; and

(B)(i) may be provided from any private or non-Federal source; and

(ii) may include funds (including interest) distributed to a tribe--

(I) by the Federal Government pursuant to the satisfaction of a claim made under Federal law;

(II) from funds collected and administered by the Federal Government on behalf of such tribe or its constituent members; or

(III) by the Federal Government for general tribal administration or tribal development under a formula or subject to a tribal budgeting priority system, such as, but not limited to, funds involved in the settlement of land or other judgement claims, severance or other royalty payments, or payments under the Indian Self-Determination Act (25 U.S.C. 450f et seq.) or tribal budget priority system.

(2) DURATION.--The Secretary may make grants made under subsection (a) on a 1-year, 2-year, or 3-year basis.

(f) ADMINISTRATION.--(1) The Secretary shall carry out this section through the Administration for Native Americans.

(2)(A) Not later than 180 days after the effective date of this section, the Secretary shall appoint a panel of experts for the purpose of assisting the Secretary to review--

(i) applications submitted under subsection (a);

(ii) evaluations carried out to comply with subsection (c)(4); and

(iii) the preservation of products required by subsection (c)(5).

(B) Such panel shall include, but not be limited to --

(i) a designee of the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development;

(ii) a designee of the regional centers funded under section 5135 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 3215);

(iii) representatives of national, tribal, and regional organizations that focus on Native American language, or Native American cultural, research, development, or training; and

(iv) other individuals who are recognized for their expertise in the area of Native American language. Recommendations for appointment to such panel shall be solicited from Indian tribes and tribal organizations.

(i) making recommendations regarding the development and implementation of regulations, policies, procedures, and rules of general applicability with respect to the administration of this section;

(ii) reviewing applications received under subsection (c);

(iii) providing to the Secretary a list of recommendations for the approval of such applications--

(I) in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary; and

(II) the relative need for the project; and

(iv) reviewing evaluations submitted to comply with subsection (c) (4).

(D)(i) Subject to clause (ii), a copy of the products of the Native American language project for which a grant is made under subsection (a) --

(I) shall be transmitted to the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development; and

(II) may be transmitted, in the discretion of the grantee, to national and regional repositories of similar material; for preservation and use consonant with their respective responsibilities under other Federal law.

(ii) Based on the Federal recognition of the sovereign authority of Indian tribes over all aspects of their cultures and language and except as provided in clause (iii), an Indian tribe may make a determination --

(I) not to transmit copies of such products under clause (i) or not to permit the redistribution of such copies; or

(II) to restrict in any manner the use or redistribution of such copies after transmission under such clause.

(iii) Clause (ii) shall not be construed to authorize Indian tribes--

(I) to limit the access of the Secretary to such products for purposes of administering this section or evaluating such products; or

(II) to sell such products, or copies of such products, for profit to the entities referred to in clause (i).

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING

Sec. 804. [42 U.S.C. 2991c] The Commissioner shall provide, directly or through other arrangements--

(1) technical assistance to the public and private agencies in planning, developing, conducting, and administering projects under this title;

(2) short-term in-service training for specialized or other personnel that is needed in connection with projects receiving financial assistance under this title; and

(3) upon denial of a grant application, technical assistance to a potential grantee in revising a grant proposal.

RESEARCH, DEMONSTRATION, AND PILOT PROJECTS

Sec. 805. [42 U.S.C. 2991d] (a) The Commissioner may provide financial assistance through grants or contracts for research, demonstration, or pilot projects conducted by public or private agencies which are designed to test or assist in the development of new approaches or methods that will aid in overcoming special problems or otherwise furthering the purposes of this title.

(b) The Commissioner shall establish an overall plan to govern the approval of research, demonstration, and pilot projects and the use of all research authority under this title. The plan shall set forth specific objectives to be achieved and priorities among such objectives.

PANEL REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE

Sec. 806. [42 U.S.C. 2991d-1] (a)(1) The Commissioner shall establish a formal panel review process for purposes of--

(A) evaluating applications for financial assistance under sections 803 and 805; and

(B) determining the relative merits of the projects for which such assistance is requested.

(2) To implement the process established under paragraph (1), the Commissioner shall appoint members of review panels from among individuals who are not officers or employees of the Administration for Native Americans. In making appointments to such panels, the Commissioner shall give preference to American Indians, Native Hawaiians, other Native American Pacific Islanders (including American Samoan Natives), and Alaska Natives.

(b) Each review panel appointed under subsection (a)(2) that reviews any application for financial assistance shall--

(1) determine the merit of each project described in such application;

(2) rank such application with respect to all other applications it reviews for the fiscal year involved, according to the relative merit of all of the projects that are described in such application and for which financial assistance is requested; and

(3) submit to the Commissioner a list that identifies all applications reviewed by such panel and arranges such applications according to rank determined under paragraph (2).

(c) Upon the request of the chairman of the Select Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate or of the chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives made with respect to any application for financial assistance under section 803 or 805, the Commissioner shall transmit to the chairman written notice--

(1) identifying such application;

(2) containing a copy of the list submitted to the Commissioner under subsection (b)(3) in which such application is ranked;

(3) specifying which other applications ranked in such list have been approved by the Commissioner under sections 803 and 805; and

(4) if the Commissioner has not approved each application superior in merit, as indicated on such list, to the application with respect to which such notice is transmitted, containing a statement of the reasons relied upon by the Commissioner for--

(A) approving the application with respect to which such notice is transmitted; and

(B) failing to approve each pending application that is superior in merit, as indicated on such list, to the application described in subparagraph (A).

ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESEARCH, DEMONSTRATION, OR PILOT PROJECTS

Sec. 807. [42 U.S.C. 2991e] (a) The Commissioner shall make a public announcement concerning--

(1) the title, purpose, intended completion date, identity of the grantee or contractor, and proposed cost of any grant or contract with a private or non-Federal public agency for a research, demonstration, or pilot project; and

(2) except in cases in which the Commissioner determines that it would not be consistent with the purposes of this title, the results, findings, data, or recommendations made or reported as a result of such activities.

(b) The public announcements required by subsection (a) shall be made within thirty days of making such grants or contracts, and the public announcements required by subsection (b) of this section shall be made within thirty days of the receipt of such results.

SUBMISSION OF PLANS TO STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS

Sec. 808. [42 U.S.C. 2991f] (a) No financial assistance may be provided to any project under section 803 of this title or any research, demonstration, or pilot project under section 805 of this title, which is to be carried out on or in an Indian reservation or Alaska Native village, unless a plan setting forth the project has been submitted to the governing body of that reservation or village and the plan has not been disapproved by the governing body within thirty days of its submission.

(b) No financial assistance may be provided to any project under section 803 of this title or any research, demonstration, or pilot project under section 805 of this title, which is to be carried out in a State or Territory other than on or in an Indian reservation or Alaska Native village or Hawaiian Homestead, unless the Commissioner has notified the chief executive officer of the State or Territory of the decision of the Commissioner to provide that assistance.

(c) No financial assistance may be provided to any project under section 803 of this title or any research, demonstration, or pilot project under section 805 of this title, which is to be carried out in a city, county, or other major political subdivision of a State or Territory other than on or in an Indian reservation or Alaska Native village, or Hawaiian Homestead, unless the Commissioner has notified the local governing officials of the political subdivision of the decision of the Commissioner to provide that assistance.

RECORDS AND AUDITS

Sec. 809. [42 U.S.C. 2991g] (a) Each agency which receives financial assistance under this title shall keep such records as the Commissioner may prescribe, including records which fully disclose the amount and disposition by that agency of such financial assistance, the total cost of the project in connection with which such financial assistance is given or used, the amount of that portion of the cost of the project supplied by other sources, and such other records as will facilitate an effective audit.

(b) The Commissioner and the Comptroller General of the United States, or any of their duly authorized representatives, shall have access for the purpose of audit and examination to any books, documents, papers, and records of any agency which receives financial assistance under this title that are pertinent to the financial assistance received under this title.

APPEALS, NOTICE, AND HEARING

Sec. 810. [42 U.S.C. 2991h](a) The Commissioner shall prescribe procedures to assure that--

(1) financial assistance under this title shall not be suspended, except in emergency situations, unless the assisted agency has been given reasonable notice and opportunity to show cause why such action should not be taken; and

(2) financial assistance under this title shall not be terminated, and application for refunding shall not be denied, and a suspension of financial assistance shall not be continued for longer than thirty days, unless the assisted agency has been afforded reasonable notice and opportunity for a full and fair hearing.

(b) If an application is rejected on the grounds that the applicant is ineligible or that activities proposed by the applicant are ineligible for funding, the applicant may appeal to the Secretary, not later than 30 days after the date of receipt of notification of such rejection, for a review of the grounds for such rejection. On appeal, if the Secretary finds that an applicant is eligible or that its proposed activities are eligible, such eligibility shall not be effective until the next cycle of grant proposals are considered by the Administration.

EVALUATION

Sec. 811. [42 U.S.C 2992] (a)(1) The Commissioner shall provide, directly or through grants or contracts, for the evaluation of projects assisted under this title, including evaluations that describe and measure the impact of such projects, their effectiveness in achieving stated goals, their impact on related programs, and their structure and mechanisms for delivery of services, including, where appropriate, comparisons with appropriate control groups composed of persons who have not participated in such projects. Evaluations shall be conducted by persons not directly involved in the administration of the program or project evaluated.

(2) The projects assisted under this title shall be evaluated in accordance with this section not less frequently than at 3-year intervals.

(b) Prior to obligating funds for the programs and projects covered by this title with respect to fiscal year 1976, the Commissioner shall develop and publish general standards for evaluation of program and project effectiveness in achieving the objectives of this title. The extent to which such standards have been met shall be considered in deciding whether to renew or supplement financial assistance authorized under this title.

(c) In carrying out evaluations under this title, the Commissioner may require agencies which receive assistance under this title to provide for independent evaluations.

(d) In carrying out evaluations under this title, the Commissioner shall, whenever feasible, arrange to obtain the specific views of persons participating in and served by programs and projects assisted under this title about such programs and projects.

(e) The Commissioner shall publish the results of evaluative research and summaries of evaluations of program and project impact and effectiveness not later than ninety days after the completion thereof. The Commissioner shall submit to the appropriate committees of the Congress copies of all such research studies and evaluation summaries.

(f) The Commissioner shall take the necessary action to assure that all studies, evaluations, proposals, and data produced or developed with assistance under this title shall become the property of the United States.

ANNUAL REPORT

Sec. 811A. [ 42 U.S.C. 2992-1] The Secretary shall, not later than January 31 of each year, prepare and transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives an annual report on the social and economic conditions of American Indians, Native Hawaiians, other Native American Pacific Islanders (including American Samoan Natives), and Alaska Natives, together with such recommendations to Congress as the Secretary considers to be appropriate.

LABOR STANDARDS

Sec. 812. [42 U.S.C. 2992a] All laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors in the construction, alteration, or repair, including painting or decorating, of buildings or other facilities in connection with projects assisted under this title, shall be paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on similar construction in the locality, as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with the Davis-Bacon Act. The Secretary of Labor shall have, with respect to such labor standards, the authority and functions set forth in Reorganization Plan Numbered 14 of 1950, and section 2 of the Act of June 1, 1934.

STAFF

Sec. 812A. [42 usc 2992a-1] In all personnel actions of the Administration, preference shall be given to individuals who are eligible for assistance under this title. Such preference shall be implemented in the same fashion as the preference given to veterans referred to in section 2108(3)(C) of title 5, United States Code. The Commissioner shall take such additional actions as may be necessary to promote recruitment of such individuals for employment in the Administration.

ADMINISTRATION

Sec. 813. [42 U.S.C. 2992b] Nothing in this title shall be construed to prohibit interagency funding agreements made between the Administration and other agencies of the Federal Government for the development and implementation of specific grants or projects.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO RULEMAKING

Sec. 814. [42 U.S.C. 2992b-1] (a) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of section 553 of title 5, United States Code, and except as otherwise provided in this section, such section 553 shall apply with respect to the establishment and general operation of any program that provides loans, grants, benefits, or contracts authorized by this title.

(b)(1) Subparagraph (A) of the last sentence of section 553(b) of title 5, United States Code, shall not apply with respect to any interpretative rule or general statement of policy--

(A) proposed under this title; or

(B) applicable exclusively to any program, project, or activity authorized by, or carried out under, this title.

(2) Subparagraph (B) of the last sentence of section 553(b) of title 5, United States Code, shall not apply with respect to any rule (other than an interpretative rule or a general statement of policy)--

(A) proposed under this title; or

(B) applicable exclusively to any program, project, or activity authorized by, or carried out under, this title.

(3) The first 2 sentences of section 553(b) of title 5, United States Code, shall apply with respect to any rule (other than an interpretative rule, a general statement of policy, or a rule of agency organization, procedure, or practice) that is--

(A) proposed under this title; or

(B) applicable exclusively to any program, project, or activity authorized by, or carried out under, this title; unless the Secretary for good cause finds (and incorporates the finding and a brief statement of the reasons therefor in such rule) that notice and public procedure thereon are contrary to the public interest or would impair the effective administration of any program, project, or activity with respect to which such rule is issued.

(c) Notwithstanding section 553(d) of title 5, United States Code, no rule (including an interpretive rule) or general statement of policy that--

(1) is issued to carry out this title; or

(2) applies exclusively to any program, project, or activity authorized by, or carried out under, this title; may take effect until 30 days after the publication required under the first two sentences of section 553(b) of title 5, United States Code.

(d) Each rule (including an interpretative rule) and each general statement of policy to which this section applies shall contain after each of its sections, paragraphs, or similar textual units a citation to the particular provision of statutory or other law that is the legal authority for such section, paragraph, or unit.

(e) Except as provided in subsection (c), if as a result of the enactment of any law affecting the administration of this title it is necessary or appropriate for the Secretary to issue any rule (including any interpretative rule) or a general statement of policy, the Secretary shall issue such rule or such general statement of policy not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of such law.

(f) Whenever an agency publishes in the Federal Register a rule (including an interpretative rule) or a general statement of policy to which subsection (c) applies, such agency shall transmit a copy of such rule or such general statement of policy to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate.

DEFINITIONS

Sec. 815. [42 U.S.C. 2992c] As used in this title, the term--

(1) "financial assistance" includes assistance advanced by grant, agreement, or contract, but does not include the procurement of plant or equipment, of goods or services;

(2) "Indian reservation or Alaska Native village" includes the reservation of any federally or State recognized Indian tribe, including any band, nation, pueblo, or rancheria, any former reservation in Oklahoma, any community under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe, including a band, nation, pueblo, or rancheria, with allotted lands or lands subject to a restriction against alienation imposed by the United States or a State, and any lands of or under the jurisdiction of an Alaska Native village or group, including any lands selected by Alaska Natives or Alaska Natives organizations under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act;

(3) "Native Hawaiian" means any individual any of whose ancestors were natives of the area which consists of the Hawaiian Islands prior to 1778;

(4) the term "rule" has the meaning given it in section 551(4) of title 5, United States Code, as amended from time to time;

(5) "Secretary" means the Secretary of Health and Human Service; and

(6) the term "Native American Pacific Islanders" means an individual who is indigenous to a United States territory or possession located in the Pacific Ocean, and includes such individual while residing in the United States.

AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

Sec. 816. [42 U.S.C. 2992d] (a) There are authorized to be appropriated for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this title (other than sections 803(d), 803A, 803C, subsection (e) of this section, and any other provision of this title for which there is an express authorization of appropriations) such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002.

(b) Not less than 90 per centum of the funds made available to carry out the provisions of this title (other than sections 803(d), 803A, 803C, 804, subsection (e) of this section, and any other provision of this title for which there is an express authorization of appropriations) for a fiscal year shall be expended to carry out section 803(a) for such fiscal year.

(c) There is authorized to be appropriated $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of section 803(d).

(d)(1) For fiscal year 1994, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the purpose of--

(A) establishing demonstration projects to conduct research related to Native American studies and Indian policy development; and

(B) continuing the development of a detailed plan, based in part on the results of the projects, for the establishment of a National Center for Native American Studies and Indian Policy Development.

(2) Such plan shall be delivered to the Congress not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this subsection.

(e) There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out Section 803C such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002.

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