Regulations last checked for updates: Jun 01, 2024

Title 25 - Indians last revised: Mar 22, 2024
§ 141.50 - Penalty and forfeiture of merchandise.

Any person other than an enrolled member of the tribe who either resides as a reservation business owner within the exterior boundaries of the Navajo, Hopi, or Zuni Reservations or introduces or attempts to introduce goods or to trade therein without a license shall forfeit all merchandise offered for sale to the Indians or found in the person's possession and is liable to a penalty of $1,617. This section may be enforced by commencing an action in the appropriate United States District Court under the provisions of 28 U.S.C. 1345.

[40 FR 39835, Aug. 29, 1975, as amended at 81 FR 42481, June 30, 2016; 82 FR 7652, Jan. 23, 2017; 83 FR 5195, Feb. 6, 2018; 84 FR 15101, Apr. 15, 2019; 85 FR 9369, Feb. 19, 2020; 86 FR 7347, Jan. 28, 2021; 87 FR 13156, Mar. 9, 2022; 88 FR 13021, Mar. 2, 2023; 89 FR 18363, Mar. 13, 2024]
§ 141.51 - Authority to close unlicensed reservation businesses.

The Commissioner shall close any reservation business subject to the provisions of this part that does not hold a valid license or temporary permit.

§ 141.52 - Revocation of license and lease and recovery on bond.

The reservation business owner is subject to revocation of license and lease and recovery on the bond in whole or in part in the event of any violation of the regulations of this part after a show cause proceeding according to the provisions of § 141.56.

[41 FR 22937, June 8, 1976. Redesignated at 47 FR 13327, Mar. 30, 1982]
§ 141.53 - Cease and desist orders.

(a) If the Commissioner believes that violation of the regulations in this part is occurring, the Commissioner may order the person believed to be in violation to show cause according to the provisions of § 141.56 why a cease and desist order should not be issued.

(b) If the person accused of the violations fails to show cause at the hearing why such an order should not issue, the Commissioner shall issue the order.

(c) A person subject to a cease and desist order issued under this section who violates the order is liable to revocation of license after a show cause proceeding according to the provisions of § 141.56 of this part.

§ 141.54 - Periodic review of performance.

(a) The Commissioner shall review licenses at ten (10) year intervals to determine whether or not the business is operating in accordance with these regulations and all other applicable laws and regulations and whether the business is adequately serving the economic needs of the community.

(b) If, as a result of the review provided in paragraph (a) of this section, the Commissioner finds that the licensee has repeatedly violated these regulations, the Commissioner may order the licensee to show cause according to the provisions of § 141.56 why the licensee's license should not be revoked.

(c) If the licensee fails to show cause why the license should not be revoked, the Commissioner shall revoke the license.

§ 141.55 - Price monitoring and control.

(a) A reservation business may not charge its customers unfair or unreasonable prices. To insure compliance with this section, the Commissioner shall perform audits as provided in § 141.58. In performing those audits the Commissioner may inspect all original books, records, and other evidences of the cost of doing business. In addition, at least once a year the Commissioner shall cause to be made a survey of the prices of flour, sugar, fresh eggs, lard, coffee, ground beef, bread, cheese, fresh milk, canned fruit, and such other goods as the Commissioner deems appropriate in all stores licensed under these regulations and in a representative number of similar stores located in communities immediately adjoining the reservations. The results of the survey shall be posted publicly, sent to each licensed business, and made available to the appropriate agency of the tribal government. Copies of the survey shall be available at the office of the Area Director.

(b) If the Commissioner finds that a reservation business is charging higher prices, especially for basic consumer commodities, than those charged on the average based on the studies conducted under the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section, the Commissioner may order the business owner to show cause under the provisions of § 141.56 why an order should not be issued to reduce prices. If the Commissioner determines that the prices charged by the business are not economically justified, based on all of the information, then the Commissioner may order the business to reduce its price on all items determined to be priced too high to a reasonable price as determined by the Commissioner, but in no event to a lower price than the cost of the item increased by a reasonable mark-up.

§ 141.56 - Show cause procedures.

(a) When the Commissioner believes there has been a violation of this part the Commissioner shall serve the licensee with written notice setting forth in detail the nature of the alleged violation and stating what remedial action the Commissioner proposes to take.

(b) The licensee shall have ten (10) days from the date of receipt of notice in which to show cause why the contemplated remedial action should not be ordered.

(c) If within the ten (10) day period the Commissioner determines that the violation may be corrected and the licensee agrees to take the necessary corrective measure, the licensee shall be given the opportunity to take the necessary corrective measures.

(d) If the licensee fails within a reasonable time to correct the violation or to show cause why the contemplated remedial action should not be ordered, the Commissioner shall order the appropriate remedial action.

(e) If the Commissioner orders remedial action the licensee may appeal under the provisions of part 2 of this title not later than thirty (30) days after the date on which the remedial action is ordered.

§ 141.57 - Procedures to cancel liability on bond.

(a) Any surety who wishes to be relieved from liability arising on a bond issued under this part shall file with the Commissioner a statement in writing setting forth the desire of the surety to be relieved of liability and the reasons therefor.

(b) The surety shall mail a copy of the statement by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the last known address of the licensee named in the bond.

(c) Twenty (20) days after the statement required in paragraph (b) of this section is mailed to the licensee and the statement required in paragraph (a) of this section is filed with the Commissioner, the surety from all liability thereafter arising on the bond.

(d) If the licensee does not have other bond sufficient to meet the requirements of this part or has not executed and filed a new or substitute bond within twenty (20) days after the service of the statement, the Commissioner shall declare the license and lease void.

(e) No surety is released from liability under the bond for claims which arose prior to the issuance of the Commissioner's order releasing the surety.

[40 FR 39837, Aug. 29, 1975, as amended at 41 FR 3288, Jan. 22, 1976; 41 FR 22937, June 8, 1976. Redesignated at 47 FR 13327, Mar. 30, 1982]
§ 141.58 - Records, reports, and obligations of reservation business owners.

(a) The Commissioner may, in consultation with interested persons and agencies, promulgate a model bookkeeping system for use in reservation businesses. Until such model bookkeeping system is promulgated, each business owner shall keep records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

(b) Each reservation business owner shall file with the Area Director an annual report on or before April 15 in a form approved by the Commissioner. Reports shall be subject to a yearly audit. The reports shall contain the names and respective interests of all persons participating in the business.

(c) The business owner or an employee shall record all sales and purchases whether for cash or credit. If the business is on the Navajo Reservation the owner or an employee shall supply the customer with a copy of the sale transaction containing a description of the article purchased or sold, the date of the transaction, and the price. A cash register receipt complies with this paragraph for grocery or dry goods purchases for cash.

(d) The licensee shall keep a duplicate copy of any writing required by paragraph (c) of this section for a period of not less than three (3) years and shall provide the customer or the customer's representative one copy of those writings upon request.

[40 FR 39837, Aug. 29, 1975, as amended at 41 FR 3288, Jan. 22, 1976; 41 FR 13937, Apr. 1, 1976. Redesignated at 47 FR 13327, Mar. 30, 1982]
§ 141.59 - Customer complaint procedures.

(a) Any customer of a licensee may file a complaint with the Commissioner alleging that the licensee has committed a violation of this part.

(b) Upon receipt of a customer complaint the Commissioner shall initiate show cause proceedings under the provisions of § 141.56 of this part.

(c) If the Commissioner fails to order remedial action within forty (40) days from the date the complaint is filed, the complainant may appeal under the provisions of part 2 of this title not later than seventy (70) days after the date the complaint is filed.

(d) If the Commissioner orders remedial action, the complainant may appeal under the provisions of part 2 of this title not later than thirty (30) days after the date on which the remedial action is ordered.

authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 25 U.S.C. 2 and 9; and Sec. 701, Pub. L. 114-74, 129 Stat. 599, unless otherwise noted
source: 40 FR 39835, Aug. 29, 1975, unless otherwise noted. Redesignated at 47 FR 13327, Mar. 30, 1982.
cite as: 25 CFR 141.56