Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 101 Part 3.djvu/490

 T 101 STAT. 1788

PUBLIC LAW 100-241—FEB. 3, 1988

Public Law 100-241 100th Congress,

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An Act Fph S 1988 ' [H.K. <i7»J

'^° amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to provide Alaska Natives with certain options for the continued ownership of lands and corporate shares received pursuant to the Act, and for other purposes.

Alaska Native Claims

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That (a) this Act may be cited as the "Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act Amend-

Amendmentl'of

m e r i t s of 1987 ".

1987. Securities. ^ot^^^ ^^^^ ^

(b) Unless otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an amendment is expressed in terms of an amendment to a section or subsection, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or subsection of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 and following). CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS AND DECLARATION OF POLICY

43 USC 1601 "°*®-

SEC. 2. The Congress finds and declares that— (1) the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act was enacted in 1971 to achieve a fair and just settlement of all aboriginal land and hunting and fishing claims by Natives and Native groups of Alaska with maximum participation by Natives in decisions affecting their rights and property; (2) the settlement enabled Natives to participate in the subsequent expansion of Alaska's economy, encouraged efforts to address serious health and welfare problems in Native villages, and sparked a resurgence of interest in the cultural heritage of the Native peoples of Alaska; (3) despite these achievements and Congress's desire that the settlement be accomplished rapidly without litigation and in conformity with the real economic and social needs of Natives, the complexity of the land conveyance process and frequent and costly litigation have delayed implementation of the settlement and diminished its value; (4) Natives have differing opinions as to whether the Native Corporation, as originally structured by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, is well adapted to the reality of life in Native villages and to the continuation of traditional Native cultural values; (5) to ensure the continued success of the settlement and to guarantee Natives continued participation in decisions affecting their rights and property, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act must be amended to enable the shareholders of each Native Corporation to structure the further implementation of the settlement in light of their particular circumstances and needs; (6) among other things, the shareholders of each Native Corporation must be permitted to decide— (A) when restrictions on alienation of stock issued as part of the settlement should be terminated, and

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