US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

25 U.S.C. § 5321

Self-determination contracts

(a)

Request by tribe; authorized programs

(1)
The Secretary is directed, upon the request of any Indian tribe by tribal resolution, to enter into a self-determination contract or contracts with a tribal organization to plan, conduct, and administer programs or portions thereof, including construction programs—
(A)
48 Stat. 59625 U.S.C. 5342 provided for in the Act of (), as amended [ et seq.];
(B)
42 Stat. 20825 U.S.C. 13 which the Secretary is authorized to administer for the benefit of Indians under the Act of () [], and any Act subsequent thereto;
(C)
68 Stat. 67442 U.S.C. 2001 provided by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under the Act of (), as amended [ et seq.];
(D)
administered by the Secretary for the benefit of Indians for which appropriations are made to agencies other than the Department of Health and Human Services or the Department of the Interior; and
(E)
for the benefit of Indians because of their status as Indians without regard to the agency or office of the Department of Health and Human Services or the Department of the Interior within which it is performed.
The programs, functions, services, or activities that are contracted under this paragraph shall include administrative functions of the Department of the Interior and the Department of Health and Human Services (whichever is applicable) that support the delivery of services to Indians, including those administrative activities supportive of, but not included as part of, the service delivery programs described in this paragraph that are otherwise contractable. The administrative functions referred to in the preceding sentence shall be contractable without regard to the organizational level within the Department that carries out such functions.
(2)
If so authorized by an Indian tribe under paragraph (1) of this subsection, a tribal organization may submit a proposal for a self-determination contract, or a proposal to amend or renew a self-determination contract, to the Secretary for review. Subject to the provisions of paragraph (4), the Secretary shall, within ninety days after receipt of the proposal, approve the proposal and award the contract unless the Secretary provides written notification to the applicant that contains a specific finding that clearly demonstrates that, or that is supported by a controlling legal authority that—
(A)
the service to be rendered to the Indian beneficiaries of the particular program or function to be contracted will not be satisfactory;
(B)
adequate protection of trust resources is not assured;
(C)
the proposed project or function to be contracted for cannot be properly completed or maintained by the proposed contract;
(D)
section 5325(a) of this title the amount of funds proposed under the contract is in excess of the applicable funding level for the contract, as determined under ; or
(E)
the program, function, service, or activity (or portion thereof) that is the subject of the proposal is beyond the scope of programs, functions, services, or activities covered under paragraph (1) because the proposal includes activities that cannot lawfully be carried out by the contractor.
1
1 So in original. Probably should be “paragraph,”.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may extend or otherwise alter the 90-day period specified in the second sentence of this subsection, if before the expiration of such period, the Secretary obtains the voluntary and express written consent of the tribe or tribal organization to extend or otherwise alter such period. The contractor shall include in the proposal of the contractor the standards under which the tribal organization will operate the contracted program, service, function, or activity, including in the area of construction, provisions regarding the use of licensed and qualified architects, applicable health and safety standards, adherence to applicable Federal, State, local, or tribal building codes and engineering standards. The standards referred to in the preceding sentence shall ensure structural integrity, accountability of funds, adequate competition for subcontracting under tribal or other applicable law, the commencement, performance, and completion of the contract, adherence to project plans and specifications (including any applicable Federal construction guidelines and manuals), the use of proper materials and workmanship, necessary inspection and testing, and changes, modifications, stop work, and termination of the work when warranted.
(3)
Upon the request of a tribal organization that operates two or more mature self-determination contracts, those contracts may be consolidated into one single contract.
(4)
The Secretary shall approve any severable portion of a contract proposal that does not support a declination finding described in paragraph (2). If the Secretary determines under such paragraph that a contract proposal—
(A)
proposes in part to plan, conduct, or administer a program, function, service, or activity that is beyond the scope of programs covered under paragraph (1), or
(B)
section 5325(a) of this title proposes a level of funding that is in excess of the applicable level determined under ,
section 5325(a) of this titlesubject to any alteration in the scope of the proposal that the Secretary and the tribal organization agree to, the Secretary shall, as appropriate, approve such portion of the program, function, service, or activity as is authorized under paragraph (1) or approve a level of funding authorized under . If a tribal organization elects to carry out a severable portion of a contract proposal pursuant to this paragraph, subsection (b) of this section shall only apply to the portion of the contract that is declined by the Secretary pursuant to this subsection.
(b)

Procedure upon refusal of request to contract

Whenever the Secretary declines to enter into a self-determination contract or contracts pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary shall—
(1)
state any objections in writing to the tribal organization,
(2)
provide assistance to the tribal organization to overcome the stated objections, and
(3)
section 5331(a) of this title provide the tribal organization with a hearing on the record with the right to engage in full discovery relevant to any issue raised in the matter and the opportunity for appeal on the objections raised, under such rules and regulations as the Secretary may promulgate, except that the tribe or tribal organization may, in lieu of filing such appeal, exercise the option to initiate an action in a Federal district court and proceed directly to such court pursuant to .
(c)

Liability insurance; waiver of defense

(1)
Beginning in 1990, the Secretary shall be responsible for obtaining or providing liability insurance or equivalent coverage, on the most cost-effective basis, for Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and tribal contractors carrying out contracts, grant agreements and cooperative agreements pursuant to this chapter. In obtaining or providing such coverage, the Secretary shall take into consideration the extent to which liability under such contracts or agreements are covered by the Federal Tort Claims Act.
(2)
section 1452 of this title In obtaining or providing such coverage, the Secretary shall, to the greatest extent practicable, give a preference to coverage underwritten by Indian-owned economic enterprises (as defined in ), except that, for the purposes of this subsection, such enterprises may include non-profit corporations.
(3)
(A)
Any policy of insurance obtained or provided by the Secretary pursuant to this subsection shall contain a provision that the insurance carrier shall waive any right it may have to raise as a defense the sovereign immunity of an Indian tribe from suit, but that such waiver shall extend only to claims the amount and nature of which are within the coverage and limits of the policy and shall not authorize or empower such insurance carrier to waive or otherwise limit the tribe’s sovereign immunity outside or beyond the coverage or limits of the policy of insurance.
(B)
No waiver of the sovereign immunity of an Indian tribe pursuant to this paragraph shall include a waiver to the extent of any potential liability for interest prior to judgment or for punitive damages or for any other limitation on liability imposed by the law of the State in which the alleged injury occurs.
(d)

Tribal organizations and Indian contractors deemed part of Public Health Service

section 233 of title 422

2 So in original. Probably should be “section”.
section 2671 of title 28ProvidedFor purposes of , with respect to claims by any person, initially filed on or after , whether or not such person is an Indian or Alaska Native or is served on a fee basis or under other circumstances as permitted by Federal law or regulations for personal injury, including death, resulting from the performance prior to, including, or after , of medical, surgical, dental, or related functions, including the conduct of clinical studies or investigations, or for purposes of section 2679, title 28, with respect to claims by any such person, on or after , for personal injury, including death, resulting from the operation of an emergency motor vehicle, an Indian tribe, a tribal organization or Indian contractor carrying out a contract, grant agreement, or cooperative agreement under sections  5321 or 5322 of this title is deemed to be part of the Public Health Service in the Department of Health and Human Services while carrying out any such contract or agreement and its employees (including those acting on behalf of the organization or contractor as provided in and including an individual who provides health care services pursuant to a personal services contract with a tribal organization for the provision of services in any facility owned, operated, or constructed under the jurisdiction of the Indian Health Service) are deemed employees of the Service while acting within the scope of their employment in carrying out the contract or agreement: , That such employees shall be deemed to be acting within the scope of their employment in carrying out such contract or agreement when they are required, by reason of such employment, to perform medical, surgical, dental or related functions at a facility other than the facility operated pursuant to such contract or agreement, but only if such employees are not compensated for the performance of such functions by a person or entity other than such Indian tribe, tribal organization or Indian contractor.

(e)

Burden of proof at hearing or appeal declining contract; final agency action

(1)
section 5331(a) of this title With respect to any hearing or appeal conducted pursuant to subsection (b)(3) of this section or any civil action conducted pursuant to , the Secretary shall have the burden of proof to establish by clearly demonstrating the validity of the grounds for declining the contract proposal (or portion thereof).
(2)
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a decision by an official of the Department of the Interior or the Department of Health and Human Services, as appropriate (referred to in this paragraph as the “Department”) that constitutes final agency action and that relates to an appeal within the Department that is conducted under subsection (b)(3) of this section shall be made either—
(A)
by an official of the Department who holds a position at a higher organizational level within the Department than the level of the departmental agency (such as the Indian Health Service or the Bureau of Indian Affairs) in which the decision that is the subject of the appeal was made; or
(B)
by an administrative judge.
(f)

Good faith requirement

In the negotiation of contracts and funding agreements, the Secretary shall—
(1)
at all times negotiate in good faith to maximize implementation of the self-determination policy; and
(2)
carry out this chapter in a manner that maximizes the policy of Tribal self-determination, in a manner consistent with—
(A)
section 5302 of this title the purposes specified in ; and
(B)
the PROGRESS for Indian Tribes Act.
(g)

Rule of construction

Subject to section 101(a) of the PROGRESS for Indian Tribes Act, each provision of this chapter and each provision of a contract or funding agreement shall be liberally construed for the benefit of the Indian Tribe participating in self-determination, and any ambiguity shall be resolved in favor of the Indian Tribe.

Pub. L. 93–638, title I, § 10288 Stat. 2206Pub. L. 100–202, § 101(g) [title II, § 201]101 Stat. 1329–213Pub. L. 100–446, title II, § 201102 Stat. 1817Pub. L. 100–472, title II, § 201(a)102 Stat. 2288Pub. L. 100–581, title II, § 210102 Stat. 2941Pub. L. 101–644, title II, § 203(b)104 Stat. 4666Pub. L. 103–413, title I, § 102(5)108 Stat. 4251–4253Pub. L. 106–260, § 6114 Stat. 732Pub. L. 116–180, title II, § 202134 Stat. 879(, formerly §§ 102 and 103(c), , ; , , , 1329–246; , , ; renumbered § 102 and amended , (b)(1), , , 2289; , , ; , , ; –(9), , ; , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

act Apr. 16, 1934, ch. 14748 Stat. 596section 5301 of this titleAct of , referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(A), is , , popularly known as the Johnson-O’Malley Act, which is classified generally to section 5342 et seq. of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.

act Aug. 5, 1954, ch. 65868 Stat. 674Act of , referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(C), is , , which is classified generally to subchapter I (§ 2001 et seq.) of chapter 22 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

Pub. L. 93–63888 Stat. 2203section 5301 of this titleThis chapter, referred to in subsecs. (c)(1), (f)(2), and (g), was in the original “this Act”, meaning , , , known as the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.

act Aug. 2, 1946, ch. 75360 Stat. 842act June 25, 1948, ch. 64662 Stat. 992The Federal Tort Claims Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), is title IV of , , which was classified principally to chapter 20 (§§ 921, 922, 931–934, 941–946) of former Title 28, Judicial Code and Judiciary. Title IV of act , was substantially repealed and reenacted as sections 1346(b) and 2671 et seq. of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, by , , the first section of which enacted Title 28. The Federal Tort Claims Act is also commonly used to refer to chapter 171 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure. For complete classification of title IV to the Code, see Tables. For distribution of former sections of Title 28 into the revised Title 28, see Table at the beginning of Title 28.

Pub. L. 116–180134 Stat. 857section 5301 of this titleThe PROGRESS for Indian Tribes Act, referred to in subsec. (f)(2)(B), is , , , also known as the Practical Reforms and Other Goals To Reinforce the Effectiveness of Self-Governance and Self-Determination for Indian Tribes Act of 2019. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 2020 Amendment note set out under and Tables.

section 101(a) of Pub. L. 116–180section 5361 of this titleSection 101(a) of the PROGRESS for Indian Tribes Act, referred to in subsec. (g), is , which is set out as a note under .

Codification

section 450f of this titleExcept as provided below, section was formerly classified to prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

section 450g of this titlesection 450f of this titlePub. L. 100–472, § 201(b)(1)section 450f of this titleSubsec. (d) of this section was formerly classified to the last sentence of subsec. (c) of former prior to redesignation as subsec. (d) of former by , and editorial reclassification and renumbering of former as this section. See 1988 Amendment note below.

Amendments

Pub. L. 116–180, § 202(1)section 1452 of this titlesection 1452 of this title2020—Subsec. (c)(2). , substituted “economic enterprises (as defined in ), except that” for “economic enterprises as defined in , except that”.

Pub. L. 116–180, § 202(2)Subsecs. (f), (g). , added subsecs. (f) and (g).

Pub. L. 106–260section 5331(a) of this title2000—Subsec. (e)(1). inserted “or any civil action conducted pursuant to ” after “subsection (b)(3) of this section”.

Pub. L. 103–413, § 102(5)1994—Subsec. (a)(1). , inserted concluding provisions.

Pub. L. 103–413, § 102(6)(A)(i)Subsec. (a)(2). , (ii), (vi), inserted “, or a proposal to amend or renew a self-determination contract,” before “to the Secretary for review” in first sentence and, in second sentence, substituted “Subject to the provisions of paragraph (4), the Secretary” for “The Secretary”, inserted “and award the contract” after “approve the proposal”, substituted “the Secretary provides written notification to the applicant that contains a specific finding that clearly demonstrates that, or that is supported by a controlling legal authority that” for “, within sixty days of receipt of the proposal, a specific finding is made that”, and inserted concluding provisions.

Pub. L. 103–413, § 102(6)(A)(iii)Subsec. (a)(2)(D), (E). –(v), added subpars. (D) and (E).

Pub. L. 103–413, § 102(6)(B)Subsec. (a)(4). , added par. (4).

Pub. L. 103–413, § 102(7)section 5331(a) of this titleSubsec. (b)(3). , inserted “with the right to engage in full discovery relevant to any issue raised in the matter” after “record” and “, except that the tribe or tribal organization may, in lieu of filing such appeal, exercise the option to initiate an action in a Federal district court and proceed directly to such court pursuant to ” before period at end.

Pub. L. 103–413, § 102(8)section 2671 of title 28section 2671 of title 28Subsec. (d). , substituted “as provided in and including an individual who provides health care services pursuant to a personal services contract with a tribal organization for the provision of services in any facility owned, operated, or constructed under the jurisdiction of the Indian Health Service)” for “as provided in )”.

Pub. L. 103–413, § 102(9)Subsec. (e). , added subsec. (e).

Pub. L. 101–6441990—Subsec. (d). inserted “or for purposes of section 2679, title 28, with respect to claims by any such person, on or after , for personal injury, including death, resulting from the operation of an emergency motor vehicle,” after “investigations,”.

Pub. L. 100–472, § 201(a)1988—, amended section generally, revising and restating provisions of subsecs. (a) to (c).

Pub. L. 100–581section 1452 of this titlesection 1425 of title 25Subsec. (c)(2). which directed amendment of par. (2) by substituting “” for “, United States Code” was executed by making the substitution for “section 1425, title 25, United States Code” to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Pub. L. 100–472, § 201(b)(1)section 450g of this titlesection 5322 of this titleSubsec. (d). , redesignated the last sentence of subsec. (c) of former as subsec. (d) of this section and substituted reference to sections 5321 or 5322 of this title for reference to former sections 450g and 450h(b) of this title. See Codification notes above and set out under .

Pub. L. 100–446Provided inserted into sentence beginning “For purposes of” the words “by any person, initially filed on or after , whether or not such person is an Indian or Alaska Native or is served on a fee basis or under other circumstances as permitted by Federal law or regulations” after “claims”, “prior to, including, or after ,” after “performance”, “an Indian tribe,” after “investigations,” and “: , That such employees shall be deemed to be acting within the scope of their employment in carrying out such contract or agreement when they are required, by reason of such employment, to perform medical, surgical, dental or related functions at a facility other than the facility operated pursuant to such contract or agreement, but only if such employees are not compensated for the performance of such functions by a person or entity other than such Indian tribe, tribal organization or Indian contractor” after “the contract or agreement”.

Pub. L. 100–2021987—Subsec. (d). inserted sentence at end deeming a tribal organization or Indian contractor carrying out a contract, grant agreement, or cooperative agreement to be part of the Public Health Service while carrying out any such contract or agreement and its employees to be employees of the Service while acting within the scope of their employment in carrying out the contract or agreement.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title

section 101 of Pub. L. 93–638section 5301 of this titleFor short title of this subchapter as the “Indian Self-Determination Act”, see , set out as a note under .

Savings Provision

Pub. L. 106–260, § 11114 Stat. 734

Pub. L. 93–63825 U.S.C. 450f25 U.S.C. 5381“Funds appropriated for title III of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act ([, former] note) shall be available for use under title V of such Act [ et seq.].”
, , , provided that:

Indian Tribal Tort Claims and Risk Management

Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(e) [title VII]112 Stat. 2681–231

“SEC. 701.

SHORT TITLE.

“This title may be cited as the ‘Indian Tribal Tort Claims and Risk Management Act of 1998’.”

, , , 2681–335, provided that:

“SEC. 702. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

Findings“(a) .—Congress finds that—

“(1) Indian tribes have made significant achievements toward developing a foundation for economic self-sufficiency and self-determination, and that economic self-sufficiency and self-determination have increased opportunities for the Indian tribes and other entities and persons to interact more frequently in commerce and intergovernmental relationships;

“(2) although Indian tribes have sought and secured liability insurance coverage to meet their needs, many Indian tribes are faced with significant barriers to obtaining liability insurance because of the high cost or unavailability of such coverage in the private market;

25 U.S.C. 45025 U.S.C. 5301“(3) as a result, Congress has extended liability coverage provided to Indian tribes to organizations to carry out activities under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act ( et seq.) [now et seq.]; and

“(4) there is an emergent need for comprehensive and cost-efficient insurance that allows the economy of Indian tribes to continue to grow and provides compensation to persons that may suffer personal injury or loss of property.

Purpose“(b) .—The purpose of this title is to provide for a study to facilitate relief for a person who is injured as a result of an official action of a tribal government.

“SEC. 703. DEFINITIONS.

“In this title:

Indian tribe25 U.S.C. 450b(e)25 U.S.C. 5304(e)“(1) .—The term ‘Indian tribe’ has the meaning given that term in section 4(e) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act () [now ].

Secretary“(2) .—The term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of the Interior.

Tribal organizationl25 U.S.C. 450bl25 U.S.C. 5304l“(3) .—The term ‘tribal organization’ has the meaning given that term in section 4() of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (()) [now ()].

“SEC. 704. STUDY AND REPORT TO CONGRESS.

In General.—“(a)

Study“(1) .—In order to minimize and, if possible, eliminate redundant or duplicative liability insurance coverage and to ensure that the provision of insurance to Indian tribes is cost-effective, the Secretary shall conduct a comprehensive survey of the degree, type, and adequacy of liability insurance coverage of Indian tribes at the time of the study.

Contents of study“(2) .—The study conducted under this subsection shall include—

“(A) an analysis of loss data;

“(B) risk assessments;

“(C) projected exposure to liability, and related matters; and

“(D) the category of risk and coverage involved, which may include—

“(i) general liability;

“(ii) automobile liability;

“(iii) the liability of officials of the Indian tribe;

“(iv) law enforcement liability;

“(v) workers’ compensation; and

“(vi) other types of liability contingencies.

Assessment of coverage by categories of risk“(3) .—For each Indian tribe, for each category of risk identified under paragraph (2), the Secretary, in conducting the study, shall determine whether insurance coverage or coverage under chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code, applies to that Indian tribe for that activity.

Report“(b) .—Not later than , and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress that contains legislative recommendations that the Secretary determines to—

“(1) be appropriate to improve the provision of insurance coverage to Indian tribes; or

“(2) otherwise achieve the purpose of providing relief to persons who are injured as a result of an official action of a tribal government.

“SEC. 705. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

“There are authorized to be appropriated to the Department of the Interior such sums as may be necessary to carry out this title.”

Claims Resulting From Performance of Contract, Grant Agreement, or Cooperative Agreement; Civil Action Against Tribe, Tribal Organization, Etc., Deemed Action Against United States; Reimbursement of Treasury for Payment of Claims

Pub. L. 101–512, title III, § 314104 Stat. 1959Pub. L. 103–138, title III, § 308107 Stat. 1416

88 Stat. 220325 U.S.C. 45025 U.S.C. 5301Pub. L. 93–638section 5301 of this title102 Stat. 38525 U.S.C. 2501Providedsection 2671 of Title 28Provided furtherProvided further88 Stat. 220325 U.S.C. 45025 U.S.C. 530125 U.S.C. 5321(d)“With respect to claims resulting from the performance of functions during fiscal year 1991 and thereafter, or claims asserted after , but resulting from the performance of functions prior to fiscal year 1991, under a contract, grant agreement, or any other agreement or compact authorized by the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975, as amended (; et seq. [now et seq.]) [, see Short Title note set out under and Tables] or by title V, part B, Tribally Controlled School Grants of the Hawkins-Stafford Elementary and Secondary School Improvement Amendments of 1988, as amended (; et seq.), an Indian tribe, tribal organization or Indian contractor is deemed hereafter to be part of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the Department of the Interior or the Indian Health Service in the Department of Health and Human Services while carrying out any such contract or agreement and its employees are deemed employees of the Bureau or Service while acting within the scope of their employment in carrying out the contract or agreement: , That after , any civil action or proceeding involving such claims brought hereafter against any tribe, tribal organization, Indian contractor or tribal employee covered by this provision shall be deemed to be an action against the United States and will be defended by the Attorney General and be afforded the full protection and coverage of the Federal Tort Claims Act [See Short Title note under , Judiciary and Judicial Procedure]: , That beginning with the fiscal year ending , and thereafter, the appropriate Secretary shall request through annual appropriations funds sufficient to reimburse the Treasury for any claims paid in the prior fiscal year pursuant to the foregoing provisions: , That nothing in this section shall in any way affect the provisions of section 102(d) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975, as amended (; et seq. [now et seq.]) [].”
, , , as amended by , , , provided that:

Public Law 100–446Reference to Former Section 450g(c) in

Pub. L. 100–472, title II, § 201(b)(2)102 Stat. 2289

§ 103(c) of Pub. L. 93–63825 U.S.C. 450g(c)Pub. L. 100–446§ 102(d) of Pub. L. 93–63825 U.S.C. 450f(d)25 U.S.C. 5321(d)“Any reference to section 103(c) [, former ] contained in an Act making appropriations for the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies for fiscal year 1989 [, see Tables for classification] shall be deemed to apply to section 102(d) of such Act [, former , now ] as amended by this Act.”
, , , provided that:

See Codification notes above.