§ 1606. Regional Corporations

(a) Division of Alaska into twelve geographic regions; common heritage and common interest of region; area of region commensurate with operations of Native association; boundary disputes, arbitration For purposes of this chapter, the State of Alaska shall be divided by the Secretary within one year after December 18, 1971, into twelve geographic regions, with each region composed as far as practicable of Natives having a common heritage and sharing common interests. In the absence of good cause shown to the contrary, such regions shall approximate the areas covered by the operations of the following existing Native associations:

(1) Arctic Slope Native Association (Barrow, Point Hope);

(2) Bering Straits Association (Seward Peninsula, Unalakleet, Saint Lawrence Island);

(3) Northwest Alaska Native Association (Kotzebue);

(4) Association of Village Council Presidents (southwest coast, all villages in the Bethel area, including all villages on the Lower Yukon River and the Lower Kuskokwim River);

(5) Tanana Chiefs’ Conference (Koyukuk, Middle and Upper Yukon Rivers, Upper Kuskokwim, Tanana River);

(6) Cook Inlet Association (Kenai, Tyonek, Eklutna, Iliamna);

(7) Bristol Bay Native Association (Dillingham, Upper Alaska Peninsula);

(8) Aleut League (Aleutian Islands, Pribilof Islands and that part of the Alaska Peninsula which is in the Aleut League);

(9) Chugach Native Association (Cordova, Tatitlek, Port Graham, English Bay, Valdez, and Seward);

(10) Tlingit-Haida Central Council (southeastern Alaska, including Metlakatla);

(11) Kodiak Area Native Association (all villages on and around Kodiak Island); and

(12) Copper River Native Association (Copper Center, Glennallen, Chitina, Mentasta).

Any dispute over the boundaries of a region or regions shall be resolved by a board of arbitrators consisting of one person selected by each of the Native associations involved, and an additional one or two persons, whichever is needed to make an odd number of arbitrators, such additional person or persons to be selected by the arbitrators selected by the Native associations involved.

(b) Region mergers; limitation

The Secretary may, on request made within one year of December 18, 1971, by representative and responsible leaders of the Native associations listed in subsection (a) of this section, merge two or more of the twelve regions: Provided, That the twelve regions may not be reduced to less than seven, and there may be no fewer than seven Regional Corporations.

(c) Establishment of thirteenth region for nonresident Natives; majority vote; Regional Corporation for thirteenth region

If a majority of all eligible Natives eighteen years of age or older who are not permanent residents of Alaska elect, pursuant to section 1604(c) of this title, to be enrolled in a thirteenth region for Natives who are non-residents of Alaska, the Secretary shall establish such a region for the benefit of the Natives who elected to be enrolled therein, and they may establish a Regional Corporation pursuant to this chapter.

(d) Incorporation; business for profit; eligibility for benefits; provisions in articles for carrying out chapter

Five incorporators within each region, named by the Native association in the region, shall incorporate under the laws of Alaska a Regional Corporation to conduct business for profit, which shall be eligible for the benefits of this chapter so long as it is organized and functions in accordance with this chapter. The articles of incorporation shall include provisions necessary to carry out the terms of this chapter.

(e) Original articles and bylaws: approval by Secretary prior to filing, submission for approval; amendments to articles: approval by Secretary; withholding approval in event of creation of inequities among Native individuals or groups

The original articles of incorporation and bylaws shall be approved by the Secretary before they are filed, and they shall be submitted for approval within eighteen months after December 18, 1971. The articles of incorporation may not be amended during the Regional Corporation’s first five years without the approval of the Secretary. The Secretary may withhold approval under this section if in his judgment inequities among Native individuals or groups of Native individuals would be created.

(f) Board of directors; management; stockholders; provisions in articles or bylaws for number, term, and method of election

The management of the Regional Corporation shall be vested in a board of directors, all of whom, with the exception of the initial board, shall be stockholders over the age of eighteen. The number, terms, and method of election of members of the board of directors shall be fixed in the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the Regional Corporation.

(g) Issuance of stock

(1) Settlement Common Stock

(A) The Regional Corporation shall be authorized to issue such number of shares of Settlement Common Stock (divided into such classes as may be specified in the articles of incorporation to reflect the provisions of this chapter) as may be needed to issue one hundred shares of stock to each Native enrolled in the region pursuant to section 1604 of this title.

(B)

(i) A Regional Corporation may amend its articles of incorporation to authorize the issuance of additional shares of Settlement Common Stock to—

(I) Natives born after December 18, 1971, and, at the further option of the Corporation, descendants of Natives born after December 18, 1971,

(II) Natives who were eligible for enrollment pursuant to section 1604 of this title but were not so enrolled, or

(III) Natives who have attained the age of 65,

for no consideration or for such consideration and upon such terms and conditions as may be specified in such amendment or in a resolution approved by the board of directors pursuant to authority expressly vested in the board by the amendment. The amendment to the articles of incorporation may specify which class of Settlement Common Stock shall be issued to the various groups of Natives.

(ii) Not more than one hundred shares of Settlement Common Stock shall be issued to any one individual pursuant to clause (i).

(iii) Conditions on certain stock.—

(I)In general.— An amendment under clause (i) may provide that Settlement Common Stock issued to a Native pursuant to the amendment (or stock issued in exchange for that Settlement Common Stock pursuant to subsection (h)(3) or section 1626(c)(3)(D) of this title) shall be subject to 1 or more of the conditions described in subclause (II).

(II)Conditions.— A condition referred to in subclause (I) is a condition that—

(aa) the stock described in that subclause shall be deemed to be canceled on the death of the Native to whom the stock is issued, and no compensation for the cancellation shall be paid to the estate of the deceased Native or any person holding the stock;

(bb) the stock shall carry limited or no voting rights; and

(cc) the stock shall not be transferred by gift under subsection (h)(1)(C)(iii).

(iv) Settlement Common Stock issued pursuant to clause (i) shall not carry rights to share in distributions made to shareholders pursuant to subsections (j) and (m) of this section unless, prior to the issuance of such stock, a majority of the class of existing holders of Settlement Common Stock carrying such rights separately approve the granting of such rights. The articles of incorporation of the Regional Corporation shall be deemed to be amended to authorize such class vote.

(C)

(i) A Regional Corporation may amend its articles of incorporation to authorize the issuance of additional shares of Settlement Common Stock as a dividend or other distribution (without regard to surplus of the corporation under the laws of the State) upon each outstanding share of Settlement Common Stock issued pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B).

(ii) The amendment authorized by clause (i) may provide that shares of Settlement Common Stock issued as a dividend or other distribution shall constitute a separate class of stock with greater per share voting power than Settlement Common Stock issued pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B).

(2) Other forms of stock

(A) A Regional Corporation may amend its articles of incorporation to authorize the issuance of shares of stock other than Settlement Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph. Such amendment may provide that—

(i) preemptive rights of shareholders under the laws of the State shall not apply to the issuance of such shares, or

(ii) issuance of such shares shall permanently preclude the corporation from—

(I) conveying assets to a Settlement Trust, or

(II) issuing shares of stock without adequate consideration as required under the laws of the State.

(B) The amendment authorized by subparagraph (A) may provide that the stock to be issued shall be one or more of the following—

(i) divided into classes and series within classes, with preferences, limitations, and relative rights, including, without limitation—

(I) dividend rights,

(II) voting rights, and

(III) liquidation preferences;

(ii) made subject to one or more of—

(I) the restrictions on alienation described in clauses (i), (ii), and (iv) of subsection (h)(1)(B) of this section, and

(II) the restriction described in paragraph (1)(B)(iii); and

(iii) restricted in issuance to—

(I) Natives who have attained the age of sixty-five;

(II) other identifiable groups of Natives or identifiable groups of descendants of Natives defined in terms of general applicability and not in any way by reference to place of residence or family;

(III) Settlement Trusts; or

(IV) entities established for the sole benefit of Natives or descendants of Natives, in which the classes of beneficiaries are defined in terms of general applicability and not in any way by reference to place of residence, family, or position as an officer, director, or employee of a Native Corporation.

(C) The amendment authorized by subparagraph (A) shall provide that the additional shares of stock shall be issued—

(i) as a dividend or other distribution (without regard to surplus of the corporation under the laws of the State) upon all outstanding shares of stock of any class or series, or

(ii) for such consideration as may be permitted by law (except that this requirement may be waived with respect to issuance of stock to the individuals or entities described in subparagraph (B)(iii)).

(D) During any period in which alienability restrictions are in effect, no stock whose issuance is authorized by subparagraph (A) shall be—

(i) issued to, or for the benefit of, a group of individuals composed only or principally of employees, officers, and directors of the corporation; or

(ii) issued more than thirteen months after the date on which the vote of the shareholders on the amendment authorizing the issuance of such stock occurred if, as a result of the issuance, the outstanding shares of Settlement Common Stock will represent less than a majority of the total voting power of the corporation for the purpose of electing directors.

(3) Disclosure requirements

(A) An amendment to the articles of incorporation of a Regional Corporation authorized by paragraph (2) shall specify—

(i) the maximum number of shares of any class or series of stock that may be issued, and

(ii) the maximum number of votes that may be held by such shares.

(B)

(i) If the board of directors of a Regional Corporation intends to propose an amendment pursuant to paragraph (2) which would authorize the issuance of classes or series of stock that, singly or in combination, could cause the outstanding shares of Settlement Common Stock to represent less than a majority of the total voting power of the corporation for the purposes of electing directors, the shareholders of such corporation shall be expressly so informed.

(ii) Such information shall be transmitted to the shareholders in a separate disclosure statement or in another informational document in writing or in recorded sound form both in English and any Native language used by a shareholder of such corporation. Such statement or informational document shall be transmitted to the shareholders at least sixty days prior to the date on which such proposal is to be submitted for a vote.

(iii) If not later than thirty days after issuance of such disclosure statement or informational document the board of directors receives a prepared concise statement setting forth arguments in opposition to the proposed amendment together with a request for distribution thereof signed by the holders of at least 10 per centum of the outstanding shares of Settlement Common Stock, the board shall either distribute such statement to the shareholders or provide to the requesting shareholders a list of all shareholder’s names and addresses so that the requesting shareholders may distribute such statement.

(4) Savings

(A)

(i) No shares of stock issued pursuant to paragraphs (1)(C) and (2) shall carry rights to share in distributions made to shareholders pursuant to subsections (j) and (m) of this section. No shares of stock issued pursuant to paragraph (1)(B) shall carry such rights unless authorized pursuant to paragraph (1)(B)(iv).

(ii) Notwithstanding the issuance of additional shares of stock pursuant to paragraphs to it. In the case of the thirteenth Regional Corporation, if organized, not less than 50% of all corporate funds received under section 1605 of this title shall be distributed to the stockholders.

(k) Distributions among Village Corporations; computation of amount

Funds distributed among the Village Corporations shall be divided among them according to the ratio that the number of shares of stock registered on the books of the Regional Corporation in the names of residents of each village bears to the number of shares of stock registered in the names of residents in all villages.

(l) Distributions to Village Corporations; village plan: withholding funds until submission of plan for use of money; joint ventures and joint financing of projects; disagreements, arbitration of issues as provided in articles of Regional Corporation

Funds distributed to a Village Corporation may be withheld until the village has submitted a plan for the use of the money that is satisfactory to the Regional Corporation. The Regional Corporation may require a village plan to provide for joint ventures with other villages, and for joint financing of projects undertaken by the Regional Corporation that will benefit the region generally. In the event of disagreement over the provisions of the plan, the issues in disagreement shall be submitted to arbitration, as shall be provided for in the articles of incorporation of the Regional Corporation.

(m) Distributions among Village Corporations in a region; computation of dividends for nonresidents of village; financing regional projects with equitably withheld dividends and Village Corporation funds

When funds are distributed among Village Corporations in a region, an amount computed as follows shall be distributed as dividends to the class of stockholders who are not residents of those villages: The amount distributed as dividends shall bear the same ratio to the amount distributed among the Village Corporations that the number of shares of stock registered on the books of the Regional Corporation in the names of nonresidents of villages bears to the number of shares of stock registered in the names of village residents: Provided, That an equitable portion of the amount distributed as dividends may be withheld and combined with Village Corporation funds to finance projects that will benefit the region generally.

(n) Projects for Village Corporations

The Regional Corporation may undertake on behalf of one or more of the Village Corporations in the region any project authorized and financed by them.

(o) Annual audit; place; availability of papers, things, or property to auditors to facilitate audits; verification of transactions; report to stockholders

The accounts of the Regional Corporation shall be audited annually in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards by independent certified public accountants or independent licensed public accountants, certified or licensed by a regulatory authority of the State or the United States. The audits shall be conducted at the place or places where the accounts of the Regional Corporation are normally kept. All books, accounts, financial records, reports, files, and other papers, things, or property belonging to or in use by the Regional Corporation and necessary to facilitate the audits shall be available to the person or persons conducting the audits; and full facilities for verifying transactions with the balances or securities held by depositories, fiscal agent, and custodians shall be afforded to such person or persons. Each audit report or a fair and reasonably detailed summary thereof shall be transmitted to each stockholder.

(p) Federal-State conflict of laws

In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this section and the laws of the State of Alaska, the provisions of this section shall prevail.

(q) Business management group; investment services contracts

Two or more Regional Corporations may contract with the same business management group for investment services and advice regarding the investment of corporate funds.

(r) Benefits for shareholders or immediate families

The authority of a Native Corporation to provide benefits to its shareholders who are Natives or descendants of Natives or to its shareholders’ immediate family members who are Natives or descendants of Natives to promote the health, education, or welfare of such shareholders or family members is expressly authorized and confirmed. Eligibility for such benefits need not be based on share ownership in the Native Corporation and such benefits may be provided on a basis other than pro rata based on share ownership.

(Pub. L. 92–203, § 7, Dec. 18, 1971, 85 Stat. 691; Pub. L. 96–487, title XIV, § 1401(a), (c), Dec. 2, 1980, 94 Stat. 2491, 2492; Pub. L. 100–241, §§ 4, 5, 12(a), Feb. 3, 1988, 101 Stat. 1790, 1792, 1810; Pub. L. 102–415, §§ 4, 8, Oct. 14, 1992, 106 Stat. 2113, 2114; Pub. L. 104–10, § 1(a), May 18, 1995, 109 Stat. 155; Pub. L. 104–42, title I, § 109(a), Nov. 2, 1995, 109 Stat. 357; Pub. L. 105–333, §§ 8, 12, Oct. 31, 1998, 112 Stat. 3134, 3135; Pub. L. 106–194, § 2, May 2, 2000, 114 Stat. 242; Pub. L. 110–453, title II, § 206, Dec. 2, 2008, 122 Stat. 5030.)

Amendments

Amendments

2008—Subsec. (g)(1)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 110–453 added cl. (iii) and struck out former cl. (iii) which read as follows: “The amendment authorized by clause (i) may provide that Settlement Common Stock issued to a Native pursuant to such amendment (or stock issued in exchange for such Settlement Common Stock pursuant to subsection (h)(3) of this section or section 1629c(d) of this title) shall be deemed canceled upon the death of such Native. No compensation for this cancellation shall be paid to the estate of the deceased Native or to any person holding the stock.”

2000—Subsec. (h)(1)(C)(iii). Pub. L. 106–194 inserted before period at end “, notwithstanding an adoption, relinquishment, or termination of parental rights that may have altered or severed the legal relationship between the gift donor and recipient”.

1998—Subsec. (i)(1). Pub. L. 105–333, § 8(1), substituted “(A) Except as provided by subparagraph (B), 70 percent” for “Seventy per centum”.

Pub. L. 105–333, § 8(2), which directed the addition of subpar. (B) at the end of subsec. (i), was executed by adding subpar. (B) at the end of par. (1) of subsec. (i) to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Subsec. (r). Pub. L. 105–333, § 12, added subsec. (r).

1995—Subsec. (h)(4). Pub. L. 104–10 added par. (4).

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 104–42 designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).

1992—Subsec. (g)(1)(B)(i)(I). Pub. L. 102–415, § 8, inserted at end “and, at the further option of the Corporation, descendants of Natives born after December 18, 1971,”.

Subsec. (h)(1)(C)(iii). Pub. L. 102–415, § 4, substituted “nephew, or (if the holder has reached the age of majority as defined by the laws of the State of Alaska) brother or sister” for “or nephew”.

1988—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 100–241, § 4, amended subsec. (g) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (g) read as follows: “The Regional Corporation shall be authorized to issue such number of shares of common stock, divided into such classes of shares as may be specified in the articles of incorporation to reflect the provisions of this chapter, as may be needed to issue one hundred shares of stock to each Native enrolled in the region pursuant to section 1604 of this title.”

Subsec. (h)(1), (2). Pub. L. 100–241, § 5, amended pars. (1) and (2) generally, changing structure of each from a single unlettered paragraph to one consisting of subpars. (A) to (C).

Subsec. (h)(3). Pub. L. 100–241, § 5, amended par. (3) generally, revising and restating as subpars. (A) to (E) provisions of former subpars. (A) to (C).

Subsec. (o). Pub. L. 100–241, § 12(a), struck out “, to the Secretary of the Interior and to the Committees on Interior and Insular Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives” after “to each stockholder” in last sentence.

1980—Subsec. (h)(1). Pub. L. 96–487, § 1401(c), inserted “or by stockholder who is a member of a professional organization, association, or board which limits the ability of that stockholder to practice his profession because of holding stock issued under this chapter” after “divorce or child support”. Section 1401(c) of Pub. L. 96–487 directed that section 1696(h)(1) of this title be amended, however, since no section 1696 of this title has been enacted, amendment was executed to subsec. (h)(1) of this section to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Subsec. (h)(3). Pub. L. 96–487, § 1401(a), substituted provisions that provided on Dec. 18, 1991, all stock previously issued be deemed canceled, and shares of stock of the appropriate class be issued to each shareholder share for share subject only to such restrictions as provided by the articles of incorporation, or agreement between the corporation and individual, specified restrictions which may be included by amendment in the articles of incorporation, and provided voting requirements for amendment of the articles of incorporation for approval of restrictions and the grant of voting rights to stockholders who were previously denied such rights for provision that provided on Jan. 1 of the twenty-first year after the year in which this chapter was enacted, all stock previously issued be deemed canceled and the shares of stock of the appropriate class issued without restrictions required by this chapter to each stockholder share for share.

Effective Date Of Amendment

Effective Date of 1995 Amendment

Pub. L. 104–42, title I, § 109(b), Nov. 2, 1995, 109 Stat. 357, provided that: “This amendment [amending this section] shall be effective as of the date of enactment of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, Public Law 92–203 (43 U.S.C. 1601, et seq.) [Dec. 18, 1971].”