Regulations last checked for updates: Jun 02, 2024

Title 25 - Indians last revised: Mar 22, 2024
§ 2.700 - What is the purpose of this subpart?

The purpose of this subpart is to expedite administrative review of a Bureau decision to recognize, or to decline to recognize, a Tribal representative. Provisions in subparts A through F of this part also apply, except that, if a provision in this subpart conflicts with a provision in subparts A through F of this part, the provision in this subpart will govern.

§ 2.701 - May a Local Bureau Official's decision to recognize, or decline to recognize, a Tribal representative be appealed?

Yes. A written decision by the LBO to recognize or decline to recognize a Tribal representative is appealable.

§ 2.702 - How will I know what decisions are appealable under this subpart?

When an LBO issues a Tribal representative recognition decision, the official will include the following notice of appeal rights at the end of the decision document:

YOU HAVE 10 DAYS TO APPEAL THIS DECISION.

This decision may be appealed to the —[appropriate reviewing official. If the LBO is a Regional Director, the reviewing official is the Director of the BIA]—at—[address, including email address if filing by email is permitted].

Deadline for Appeal. Your notice of appeal must be submitted as provided for in 25 CFR 2.214 within 10 (ten) days of the date you receive notice of this decision. Your notice of appeal must explain how you satisfy the standing requirements in 25 CFR 2.200. If you do not file a timely appeal, you will have failed to exhaust administrative remedies required by these regulations. If no appeal is timely filed, this decision will become effective at the expiration of the appeal period. No extension of time may be granted for filing a notice of appeal.

§ 2.703 - How do I file a Notice of Appeal of a Tribal representative recognition decision?

To file a Notice of Appeal, you must submit, as provided in § 2.214, the Notice of Appeal to the reviewing official identified in the decision document's notice of appeal rights, as prescribed in § 2.702.

§ 2.704 - How long do I have to file an appeal of a Tribal representative recognition decision?

You have 10 days after you receive the Tribal representative recognition decision to file a Notice of Appeal.

§ 2.705 - Is there anything else I must file?

Yes. You must file a statement of reasons setting out your arguments in support of your appeal, and include any supporting documentation you wish to present to the reviewing official. Your statement of reasons must comply with the requirements set out in § 2.214.

§ 2.706 - When must I file my statement of reasons?

You must submit your statement of reasons to the reviewing official and interested parties no later than 10 days after filing your Notice of Appeal.

§ 2.707 - May the LBO and interested parties file a response to the statement of reasons?

Yes. Any interested party, as well as the LBO, may file a response to the statement of reasons, thereby becoming a participant.

§ 2.708 - How long do interested parties have to file a response?

(a) The LBO and any interested party have 10 days after receiving a copy of the statement of reasons to file a response, which must be served on the appellant, the LBO and other interested parties.

(b) For good cause shown, the reviewing official may allow the appellant to file a reply brief.

§ 2.709 - What will the LBO do in response to my appeal?

Upon receipt of your Notice of Appeal, the LBO must transmit, within 15 days, the administrative record to the reviewing official and transmit your Notice of Appeal to the AS-IA.

§ 2.710 - When will the reviewing official decide a Tribal representative recognition appeal?

The reviewing official will issue a written decision, including the basis for the decision, within 30 days after the latest of the filing of your statement of reasons or interested parties' response.

§ 2.711 - May the decision deadline be extended?

Yes. A reviewing official may, for good cause and with notice to the interested parties and the LBO, extend the deadline for the reviewing official's decision one time, for no more than an additional 30 days.

§ 2.712 - May the AS-IA take jurisdiction over the appeal?

Yes. The AS-IA may take jurisdiction over the appeal at any time before the reviewing official issues a final decision.

§ 2.713 - May I ask the AS-IA to take jurisdiction over the appeal?

No. The AS-IA will not consider a request from any interested party to take jurisdiction over the appeal.

§ 2.714 - May the reviewing official's decision on Tribal representative recognition be appealed?

Yes. The reviewing official's decision is immediately effective, but not final for the Department. Therefore, any participant may appeal the reviewing official's decision as provided for in this part, or pursue judicial review in Federal court. Notwithstanding any other regulation, the reviewing official's Tribal representative recognition decision shall remain in effect and binding on the Department unless and until the reviewing official's decision is reversed by superior agency authority or reversed or stayed by order of a Federal court.

source: 88 FR 53779, Aug. 9, 2023, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 25 CFR 2.710