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Stockbridge-Munsee Tribal Law

[2003]


CHAPTER 44-A - TRIBAL REGISTRY


The purpose of establishing a tribal registry office is to provide an official filing system in order to record and maintain certain documents so as to provide evidence of actions and proceedings that involve tribal people and tribal lands, give notice of such activities, and to preserve a record of these documents.


Section 44-A .2 TYPES OF RECORDS

The types of records to be recorded and filed shall include the following:

A. Grants of Standard Assignment

B. Leases

C. Records documenting land use, including variances, conditional use permits, other permits required under use permits, other permits required under Land Use Code.

D. Land contracts

E. Tribal Land Assignment Security Agreements

F. Bills of sale for houses upon tribal lands

G. Maps of lands within reservation boundaries

H. Certified survey maps

I. Cemetery plots

J. Marital property agreements

K. Court-ordered transactions affecting tribal lands.

L. Tribal enrollment records

M. Name changes

N. Marriages

O. Divorces

P. Deaths


Section 44-A .3 RECORDABLE DOCUMENTS

The original, a signed duplicate, or certified copy of the document listed above shall be submitted for recording and filing.


Section 44-A .4 ACCESSIBILITY

It is the policy of the Stockbridge-Munsee Community to allow the Tribe and tribal members to have access to tribal land records, tribal enrollment records, and related documents unless such access would violate the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a).


Section 44-A .5
USES

Documents recorded are used to give notice of land uses, verify legal instruments, create land abstracts, locate property lines, draw plats, research historical data, assist courtroom testimony, do genealogical searches, provide proof of ownership, and other uses.


Section 44-A .6
PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR TRIBAL REGISTRY

The person assigned to be responsible for maintenance and safe-keeping of records shall be the Tribal Land and Enrollment Manager.


Section 44-A .7
DUTIES OF RESPONSIBLE PERSON

The Land and Enrollment Manager shall:

A. accept for filing all records presented to his/her office as listed above.

B. endorse each document

C. keep a record of all documents presented in a suitably bound book.

D. assure the safekeeping of all records filed.

E. provide accessibility to records in accordance with D, above, and shall issue copies as requested.


Section 44-A .8 RECEIVING AND RECORDING OF DOCUMENTS

Each document recorded shall be endorsed on its face with the date and time received, volume where document is recorded, and signature of registrar. Documents shall be recorded by the order in which they are received.


Section 44-A .9 FILES MAINTENANCE

A safe and fireproof filing and retrieval system shall be established by the Land and Enrollment Manager for all documents recorded.


Section 44-A .10 ELECTRONIC RECORDS

Electronic records shall be electronically secure and back up stored in remote location.


Section 44-A .11 EFFECTIVE DATE

This Chapter shall become effective 30 days after approval by the Stockbridge-Munsee Community.


Section 44-A .12 COVERAGE, SEVERABILITY, AMENDMENTS

A. This chapter shall be binding on all entities, enterprises, and organizations operating under the Stockbridge-Munsee Community and all other tribal laws requiring recording shall abide by this Chapter.

B. If any provision of this Chapter is ruled illegal by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall remain unaffected.

C. This Chapter may be amended by resolution of the Tribal Council.


LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

Adopted by Tribal Council on February 19, 2002, Resolution No. 012-02.
Approved by BIA on March 5, 2002.

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