Except as otherwise provided by law, the Secretary shall interpret all Federal laws, Executive orders, and regulations in a manner that will facilitate—

(1) the inclusion of programs, services, functions, and activities (or portions thereof) and funds associated therewith, in the agreements entered into under this section;

(2) the implementation of compacts and funding agreements entered into under this subchapter; and

(3) the achievement of tribal health goals and objectives.

An Indian tribe may submit a written request to waive application of a regulation promulgated under section 5397 of this title or the authorities specified in section 5385(b) of this title for a compact or funding agreement entered into with the Indian Health Service under this subchapter, to the Secretary identifying the applicable Federal regulation sought to be waived and the basis for the request.

(1) In general An Indian tribe may submit a written request to waive application of a regulation promulgated under section 5397 of this title or the authorities specified in section 5385(b) of this title for a compact or funding agreement entered into with the Indian Health Service under this subchapter, to the Secretary identifying the applicable Federal regulation sought to be waived and the basis for the request.

(2) Approval Not later than 90 days after receipt by the Secretary of a written request by an Indian tribe to waive application of a regulation for a compact or funding agreement entered into under this subchapter, the Secretary shall either approve or deny the requested waiver in writing. A denial may be made only upon a specific finding by the Secretary that identified language in the regulation may not be waived because such waiver is prohibited by Federal law. A failure to approve or deny a waiver request not later than 90 days after receipt shall be deemed an approval of such request. The Secretary’s decision shall be final for the Department.

In connection with any compact or funding agreement executed pursuant to this subchapter or an agreement negotiated under the Tribal Self-Governance Demonstration Project established under title III,[1] as in effect before August 18, 2000, upon the request of an Indian tribe, the Secretary—

(1) shall permit an Indian tribe to use existing school buildings, hospitals, and other facilities and all equipment therein or appertaining thereto and other personal property owned by the Government within the Secretary’s jurisdiction under such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon by the Secretary and the Indian tribe for their use and maintenance;

may donate to an Indian tribe title to any personal or real property found to be excess to the needs of any agency of the Department, or the General Services Administration, except that—

(A) subject to the provisions of subparagraph (B), title to property and equipment furnished by the Federal Government for use in the performance of the compact or funding agreement or purchased with funds under any compact or funding agreement shall, unless otherwise requested by the Indian tribe, vest in the appropriate Indian tribe;

(B) if property described in subparagraph (A) has a value in excess of $5,000 at the time of retrocession, withdrawal, or reassumption, at the option of the Secretary upon the retrocession, withdrawal, or reassumption, title to such property and equipment shall revert to the Department of Health and Human Services; and

(C) all property referred to in subparagraph (A) shall remain eligible for replacement, maintenance, and improvement on the same basis as if title to such property were vested in the United States; and

(3) shall acquire excess or surplus Government personal or real property for donation to an Indian tribe if the Secretary determines the property is appropriate for use by the Indian tribe for any purpose for which a compact or funding agreement is authorized under this subchapter.

All funds provided under compacts, funding agreements, or grants made pursuant to this chapter, shall be treated as non-Federal funds for purposes of meeting matching or cost participation requirements under any other Federal or non-Federal program.

States are hereby authorized and encouraged to enact legislation, and to enter into agreements with Indian tribes to facilitate and supplement the initiatives, programs, and policies authorized by this subchapter and other Federal laws benefiting Indians and Indian tribes.

Each provision of this subchapter and each provision of a compact or funding agreement shall be liberally construed for the benefit of the Indian tribe participating in self-governance and any ambiguity shall be resolved in favor of the Indian tribe.

(Pub. L. 93–638, title V, § 512, as added Pub. L. 106–260, § 4, Aug. 18, 2000, 114 Stat. 726.)