A joint resolution to make technical corrections in the Act of January 25, 1983 (Public Law 97-459).
Public Law 98-608 · H.J.Res. 158 · 98th Congress · began in the House
Signed by Ronald Reagan (R) on Oct 30, 1984 · Native Americans
Sponsor: Rep. Morris Udall (D-AZ-2)
Cosponsors: None
Passage votes
- HouseUnanimous consent
- SenateVoice vote
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
Amends the Indian Land Consolidation Act to remove the guidelines for land transfers under a land consolidation plan from provisions dealing only with the devise or descent of land interests to non-Indians or non-members of a tribe. Places such guidelines with the general provision authorizing land consolidation plans.
Terminates the requirement that tribal purchases of certain land tract interests need the consent of over 50 percent of the owners of such tract. (Retains the requirement of consent of the owners of over 50 percent of the undivided interests in such tract.) Grants the tribe a certain time in which to purchase property for which a petition has been filed to remove it from trust or restricted status.
Authorizes any Indian tribe to adopt its own laws governing the descent and distribution of trust or restricted lands.
States that, where the non-Indian or nonmember survivors of an intestate deceased Indian receive a life estate in certain trust or restricted lands, the remainder shall vest in the Indians or tribal members who would have been heirs in the absence of a qualified person taking a life estate.
Limits the right to receive a life estate to spouses and children who, if eligible, would have inherited an ownership interest of ten percent or more in the tract of land.
States that certain undivided interests in trust or restricted lands shall escheat to the tribe if such interest cannot earn at least $100 to the respective heirs in any one of the five years following the decedent's death.
Authorizes any Indian tribe to adopt its own laws governing the disposition of escheatable interests.
States that this Act does not vest a tribal governing body with authority which is not authorized by its constitution or by-laws. Provides that trust or restricted lands will retain such status if they are acquired by an Indian or Indian tribe in mortgage foreclosure circumstances unless an application is made to the Secretary to change such status.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Indian Affairs Committee · Senate · hearings by (full committee), markup by, referred to, reported by
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 15 actions.
- Oct 30, 1984Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 98-608.
- Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- Oct 19, 1984PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
- Oct 4, 1984Resolving differencesResolving differences · House Agreed to Senate Amendments by Unanimous Consent.
- Oct 3, 1984FloorFloor · Passed Senate with amendments by Voice Vote.
- FloorFloor · Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
- Sep 24, 1984CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Senate Indian Affairs Committee
- Sep 11, 1984CommitteeCommittee · Markup by Senate Indian Affairs Committee
- Jul 31, 1984CommitteeCommittee · Hearings by Senate Indian Affairs Committee
- Apr 21, 1983CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Indian Affairs Committee
- Apr 19, 1983FloorFloor · Passed House by Unanimous Consent.
- Apr 7, 1983CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Natural Resources Committee
- Mar 9, 1983CommitteeCommittee · Markup by House Natural Resources Committee
- Feb 23, 1983CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Natural Resources Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.