Section 1. Short Title
Section 2. Definitions
Section 3. Houlton Band Tax Fund
Section 4. Houlton Band Trust Land

Section 1.  Short Title

Section 2. Definitions

• (1) The term 'Houlton Band Tax Fund" means the fund established under section 3.
• (2) The term 'Houlton Band trust land' means land or natural resources acquired by the Secretary of the Interior and held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians in accordance with section 5 (d) of the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980 (25 U.S.C. 1724 (d); 94 Stat. 1789)
• (3) The term 'amended Maine Implementing Act' means the Maine Implementing Act (defined in section 3 (e) of the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980 (25 U.S.C. 1724 (d); 94 Stat. 1787) as amended by---
• (A) The 'Act to amend the Maine Implementing Act with respect to the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians', enacted by the State of Maine in chapter 675 of the Public Laws of 1981, and
• (B) the State of Maine in chapter 672 of the Public Laws of 1985,
• (4) The term 'Secretary' means the Secretary of the Interior.
• (5) The term 'Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians' has the meaning given to such term by section 3 (a) of the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980

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Section 3. Houlton Band Tax Fund

(a) There is hereby established in the United States Treasury a fund to be known as the Houlton Band Tax Fund in which shall be deposited $200,000 in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

• (1) Income accrued on the land acquisition fund established for the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians pursuant to subsections (c) and (d) (1) of section 5 of the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980 (25 U.S.C. 1724; 94 Stat. 1789) shall be transferred to the Houlton Band Tax Fund. No transfer shall be made under this subsection if such transfer would diminish such land acquisition fund to a balance of less that $900,000.
• (2) Whenever funds are transferred to the Houlton Band Tax Fund pursuant to paragraph (1), the Secretary shall publish notice of such transfer in the Federal Register. Such notice shall specify when the full amount of $200,000 has be transferred to the Houlton Band Tax Fund.

(c) The Secretary shall manage the Houlton Band Tax Fund in accordance with the first section of the Act of June 24, 1938 (25 U.S.C 162a), and shall utilize the principal and interest of such Fund only as provided in subsection (d) and for no other purpose.

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 3727 of title 31, United States Code, the Secretary shall pay out of the Houlton Band Tax Fund all valid claims for taxes, payments in lieu of property taxes, and fees, together with any interest and penalties thereon---

• (1)for which the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians are determined to be liable under the terms of section 6208-A(2) of the amended Maine Implementing Act,
• (2) which are final and not subject to further administrative or judicial review, and,
• (3) which have been certified by the Commissioner of Finance and Administration of the State of Maine as valid claims (within the meaning of section 6208-A(2) of the amended Maine Implementing Act) that meet the requirements of this subsection.

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Section 4. Houlton Band Trust Land

(a) Subject to the provisions of section 3 of this Act, the Secretary is authorized and directed to expend, at the request of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the principal of, and income accruing on, the land acquisition fund established for such Band under subsections (c) and (d)(1) of section 5 of the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980 (25 U.S.C. 1724; 94 Stat. 1789) for the purposes of acquiring land or natural resources for such Band and for the benefit of such Band.

(b)

• (1)Land or natural resources acquired with funds expended under the authority of subsection (a) and held in trust for the benefit of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians may be alienated only by---
• (A) takings for public use pursuant to the laws of the State of Maine as provided in subsection (c),
• (B) takings for public use pursuant to the laws of the United States,
• (C) transfers authorized by section 5(g)(3) of the Maine Indians Claims Settlement Act of 1980 (25 U.S.C. 1724 (g)(3); 94 Stat. 1791), or
• (D) transfers made pursuant to an Act or joint resolution of Congress.
• All other transfers of land or natural  resources acquired with funds expended under the authority of subsection (a) and held in trust for the benefit of such Band shall be void ab initio and without any validity in law or equity.
• (2) The provisions of paragraph (1) shall not prohibit or limit transfers of individual use assignments of land or natural resources from one member of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians to another member of such Band.

• (1) Land or natural resources acquired with funds expended under the authority of subsection (a) and held in trust for the benefit of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians may be condemned for public purposes by the State of Maine, or any political subdivision thereof, only upon such terms and conditions as shall be agreed upon in writing between the State and such Band after the date of enactment of this Act.
• (2) The consent of the United States is hereby given to the State of Maine to further amend the amended Maine Implementing Act for the purpose of embodying the agreement described in paragraph (1).

• (1) Lands and natural resources may be acquired by the Secretary for the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians only if the Secretary has, at any time prior to such acquisition---
• (A) transmitted a letter the Secretary of State of the State of Maine stating that the Houlton Band Tax Fund contains $200,000, and
• (B) provided the Secretary of State of the State of Maine with a copy of the procedures for filing and payment of claims prescribed under section 3(f) [this note.]
• (2)
  • (A) No land or natural resources may be acquired by the Secretary for the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians until the Secretary ---
  • (i) files with the Secretary of State of the State of Maine a certified copy of the deed, contract, or other conveyance setting forth the location and boundaries of the land or natural resources to be acquired by the Secretary, or
  • (ii) files with the Secretary of State of the State of Maine a certified copy of any instrument setting forth the location and boundaries of the land or natural resources to be acquired.
  • (B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Maine may be made by mail and, if such method of filing is used, shall be considered to be completed on the date on which the document is properly mailed to the Secretary of State of the State of Maine.

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