---
kind: "range"
citation: "25 U.S.C. §§ 117a–117c"
title: "25"
from: "117a"
to: "117c"
count: 3
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/25/117a..117c"
---

# §117a. Per capita distribution of funds to tribe members


Funds which are held in trust by the [Secretary](/usc/25/5130.md?p=1) of the Interior (hereinafter referred to as the “[Secretary](/usc/25/5130.md?p=1)”) for an [Indian tribe](/usc/25/81.md?p=a-2) and which are to be distributed per capita to members of that [tribe](/usc/25/3402.md?p=2-A) may be so distributed by either the [Secretary](/usc/25/5130.md?p=1) or, at the request of the governing body of the [tribe](/usc/25/3402.md?p=2-A) and subject to the approval of the [Secretary](/usc/25/5130.md?p=1), the [tribe](/usc/25/3402.md?p=2-A). Any funds so distributed shall be paid by the [Secretary](/usc/25/5130.md?p=1) or the [tribe](/usc/25/3402.md?p=2-A) directly to the members involved or, if such members are minors or have been legally determined not competent to handle their own affairs, to a parent or guardian of such members or to a trust fund for such minors or legal incompetents as determined by the governing body of the [tribe](/usc/25/3402.md?p=2-A).


# §117b. Distribution of funds

- (a) **Previous contractual obligations; tax exemption—** Funds distributed under [sections 117a to 117c](/usc/25/117a..117c.md) of this title shall not be liable for the payment of previously contracted obligations except as may be provided by the governing body of the [tribe](/usc/25/3402.md?p=2-A) and distributions of such funds shall be subject to the provisions of section 7 of the Act of October 19, 1973 (87 Stat. 466), as amended [[25 U.S.C. 1407](/usc/25/1407.md)].
- (b) **Funds appropriated in satisfaction of judgments—** Nothing in [sections 117a to 117c](/usc/25/117a..117c.md) of this title shall affect the requirements of the Act of October 19, 1973 (87 Stat. 466), as amended [[25 U.S.C. 1401](/usc/25/1401.md) et seq.], or of any plan approved thereunder, with respect to the use or distribution of funds subject to that Act: Provided, That per capita payments made pursuant to a plan approved under that Act may be made by an [Indian tribe](/usc/25/81.md?p=a-2) as provided in [section 117a of this title](/usc/25/117a.md) if all other provisions of the 1973 Act are met, including but not limited to, the protection of the interests of minors and incompetents in such funds.
- (c) **Shoshone Tribe and Arapaho Tribe of the Wind River Reservation, Wyoming—** Nothing in [sections 117a to 117c](/usc/25/117a..117c.md) of this title, except the provisions of [subsection (a)](#a) of this section, shall apply to the Shoshone [Tribe](/usc/25/3402.md?p=2-A) and the Arapahoe[^1] [Tribe](/usc/25/3402.md?p=2-A) of the Wind River [Reservation](/usc/25/2902.md?p=8), Wyoming.

# §117c. Standards for approval of tribal payments; United States not liable for distribution of funds; continuing responsibility under other provisions

- (a) The [Secretary](/usc/25/5130.md?p=1) shall, by regulation, establish reasonable standards for the approval of tribal payments pursuant to [section 117a of this title](/usc/25/117a.md) and, where approval is given under such regulations, the United States shall not be liable with respect to any distribution of funds by a [tribe](/usc/25/3402.md?p=2-A) under [sections 117a to 117c](/usc/25/117a..117c.md) of this title.
- (b) Nothing in [sections 117a to 117c](/usc/25/117a..117c.md) of this title shall otherwise absolve the United States from any other responsibility to the [Indians](/usc/25/1934.md), including those which derive from the trust relationship and from any treaties, Executive orders, or agreements between the United States and any [Indian tribe](/usc/25/81.md?p=a-2).