Minnesota Session Laws - 1984, Regular Session

  

                         Laws of Minnesota 1984 

                        CHAPTER 539-H.F.No. 2188
           An act relating to Indians; providing for partial 
          settlement of Indian land claims on the White Earth 
          Reservation; requiring a report to the legislature; 
          appropriating money. 
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
    Section 1.  [CLAIMS.] 
    Subdivision 1.  [PURPOSE.] The purpose of this act is to 
take an initial step toward resolving disputes over the 
ownership of land on the White Earth Indian Reservation by 
allowing the state to participate with the United States in an 
overall settlement, provided that the United States Congress 
passes a settlement statute that appropriately and meaningfully 
compensates both Indians and non-Indians for possible lost 
property interests.  
    Subd. 2.  [AGREEMENT.] The attorney general is authorized 
to enter into an agreement with the United States as part of a 
settlement of Indian land claims on the White Earth 
Reservation.  This agreement must transfer from the state to the 
United States the ownership of 10,000 acres of land within the 
White Earth Reservation currently owned in fee or in trust for 
local taxing districts by the state of Minnesota, including 
mineral interests when held in this manner.  The agreement must 
state that the land is to be held in trust for the White Earth 
Band of Chippewa Indians.  
    Subd. 3.  [CONDITIONS.] No agreement shall be entered into 
until the United States has approved legislation substantially 
resolving title problems currently identified by the Department 
of Interior on the White Earth Reservation, and until the 
attorney general is satisfied that the United States legislation 
appropriately and effectively settles Indian land claims on the 
White Earth Reservation and substantially removes the 
possibility of litigation with private landowners over the 
Indian land claims.  
    Sec. 2.  [REPORT.] 
    The commissioner of natural resources shall submit a report 
to the legislature by January 1, 1985, which shall summarize the 
origin of the title of all lands held by the state of Minnesota 
in fee or in trust on the White Earth Reservation.  
    Sec. 3.  [APPROPRIATION.] 
    The sum of $600,000 is appropriated from the general fund 
to the attorney general, to be available until expended for the 
following purposes:  
    (1) $500,000 is to be used to provide technical and 
computer assistance to the United States for implementing the 
settlement described in section 1; and 
    (2) $100,000 is for necessary publication, administrative, 
and consulting costs in negotiating or implementing the 
agreement or settlement.  
    Sec. 4.  [ACT VOID.] 
    If the United States Congress fails to pass appropriate 
legislation as described in section 1 by December 31, 1985, this 
act is null and void, and any unencumbered appropriations shall 
revert to the general fund. 
    Approved April 25, 1984