---
kind: "section"
citation: "25 U.S.C. § 372–2"
title: "25"
title_heading: "Indians"
number: "372–2"
heading: "Indian probate judges"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/25/372-2"
units:
  - "Chapter 10 — Descent and Distribution; Heirs of Allottee"
---

# §372–2. Indian probate judges


Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for fiscal year 2006 and each fiscal year thereafter, for the purpose of adjudicating Indian probate cases in the Department of the Interior, the hearing requirements of [chapter 10](/usc/25/chch10.md) of this title are deemed satisfied by a proceeding conducted by an Indian probate judge, appointed by the [Secretary](/usc/25/5130.md?p=1) without regard to the provisions of [title 5](/usc/5.md) governing the appointments in the competitive service, for such period of time as the [Secretary](/usc/25/5130.md?p=1) determines necessary: Provided, That the basic pay of an Indian probate judge so appointed may be fixed by the [Secretary](/usc/25/5130.md?p=1) without regard to the provisions of [chapter 51](/usc/25/chch51.md), and subchapter III of [chapter 53](/usc/5/chptIII/sptD/ch53.md) of title 5, governing the classification and pay of General Schedule employees, except that no such Indian probate judge may be paid at a level which exceeds the maximum rate payable for the highest grade of the General Schedule, including locality pay.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–54, title I, § 108, Aug. 2, 2005, 119 Stat. 522; Pub. L. 112–74, div. E, title I, § 111, Dec. 23, 2011, 125 Stat. 1009.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2011—Pub. L. 112–74 substituted “for fiscal year 2006 and each fiscal year thereafter, for the purpose of adjudicating” for “in fiscal years 2006 through 2010, for the purpose of reducing the backlog of”.