
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 25USC696]

 
                            TITLE 25--INDIANS
 
                        CHAPTER 14--MISCELLANEOUS
 
     SUBCHAPTER XXX--WESTERN OREGON INDIANS: TERMINATION OF FEDERAL 
                               SUPERVISION
 
Sec. 696. Individual property


(a) Transfer of unrestricted control

    The Secretary is authorized and directed to transfer within two 
years after August 13, 1954 to each member of each tribe unrestricted 
control of funds or other personal property held in trust for such 
member by the United States.

(b) Removal of restrictions on sales or encumbrances; fee simple title

    All restrictions on the sale or encumbrance of trust or restricted 
land owned by members of the tribes (including allottees, purchasers, 
heirs, and devisees, either adult or minor) are removed two years after 
August 13, 1954 and the patents or deeds under which titles are then 
held shall pass the titles in fee simple, subject to any valid 
encumbrance. The titles to all interests in trust or restricted land 
acquired by members of the tribes by devise or inheritance two years or 
more after August 13, 1954 shall vest in such members in fee simple, 
subject to any valid encumbrance.

(c) Multiple land ownership; partition; sale; election to purchase; 
        unlocated owners

    Prior to the time provided in subsection (d) \1\ of this section for 
the removal of restrictions on land owned by more than one member of a 
tribe, the Secretary may--
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    \1\ So in original. Probably should be subsection ``(b)''.
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        (1) upon request of any of the owners, partition the land and 
    issue to each owner a patent or deed for his individual share that 
    shall become unrestricted two years from August 13, 1954;
        (2) upon request of any of the owners and a finding by the 
    Secretary that partition of all or any part of the land is not 
    practicable, cause all or any part of the land to be sold at not 
    less than the appraised value thereof and distribute the proceeds of 
    sale to the owners: Provided, That any one or more of the owners may 
    elect before a sale to purchase the other interests in the land at 
    not less than the appraised value thereof, and the purchaser shall 
    receive an unrestricted patent or deed to the land; and
        (3) if the whereabouts of none of the owners can be ascertained, 
    cause such lands to be sold and deposit the proceeds of sale in the 
    Treasury of the United States for safekeeping.

(Aug. 13, 1954, ch. 733, Sec. 6, 68 Stat. 725.)
