---
kind: "section"
citation: "25 U.S.C. § 3612"
title: "25"
title_heading: "Indians"
number: "3612"
heading: "Survey of tribal judicial systems"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/25/3612"
units:
  - "Chapter 38 — Indian Tribal Justice Support"
  - "Subchapter I — Tribal Justice Systems"
---

# §3612. Survey of tribal judicial systems

- (a) **In general—** Not later than six months after December 3, 1993, the [Secretary](/usc/25/3602.md?p=6), in consultation with [Indian tribes](/usc/25/3602.md?p=3), shall enter into a contract with a non-Federal entity to conduct a survey of conditions of [tribal justice systems](/usc/25/3602.md?p=8) and [Courts of Indian Offenses](/usc/25/3602.md?p=2) to determine the resources and funding, including base support funding, needed to provide for expeditious and effective administration of justice. The [Secretary](/usc/25/3602.md?p=6), in like manner, shall annually update the information and findings contained in the survey required under this section.
- (b) **Local conditions—** In the course of any annual survey, the non-Federal entity shall document local conditions of each [Indian tribe](/usc/25/3602.md?p=3), including, but not limited to—
  - (1) the geographic area and population to be served;
  - (2) the levels of functioning and capacity of the [tribal justice system](/usc/25/3602.md?p=8);
  - (3) the volume and complexity of the caseloads;
  - (4) the facilities, including detention facilities, and program resources available;
  - (5) funding levels and personnel staffing requirements for the [tribal justice system](/usc/25/3602.md?p=8); and
  - (6) the training and technical assistance needs of the [tribal justice system](/usc/25/3602.md?p=8).
- (c) **Consultation with Indian tribes—** The non-Federal entity shall actively consult with [Indian tribes](/usc/25/3602.md?p=3) and [tribal organizations](/usc/25/3602.md?p=7) in the development and conduct of the surveys, including updates thereof, under this section. [Indian tribes](/usc/25/3602.md?p=3) and [tribal organizations](/usc/25/3602.md?p=7) shall have the opportunity to review and make recommendations regarding the findings of the survey, including updates thereof, prior to final publication of the survey or any update thereof. After [Indian tribes](/usc/25/3602.md?p=3) and [tribal organizations](/usc/25/3602.md?p=7) have reviewed and commented on the results of the survey, or any update thereof, the non-Federal entity shall report its findings, together with the comments and recommendations of the [Indian tribes](/usc/25/3602.md?p=3) and [tribal organizations](/usc/25/3602.md?p=7), to the [Secretary](/usc/25/3602.md?p=6), the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate, and the Subcommittee on Native American Affairs of the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 103–176, title I, § 102, Dec. 3, 1993, 107 Stat. 2006.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Change of Name

Subcommittee on Native American Affairs changed to Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States.