OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – A Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council Emergency Session meeting was held in person and via teleconference on Dec. 21 at the Mound Building.
The National Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 22-180 Nominating Denette Mouser to serve as the District Trial Court Judge of the District Trial Court Civil Division of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Representative Mark Randolph sponsored the bill, which was adopted with 13 votes in favor, 0 against, and one abstain.
Mouser will serve as the District Trial Court Judge until Dec. 31, 2023.
TR 22-182 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a memorandum of understanding with the City of Tulsa, the City of Jenks, and the Indian Nations Council of Governments (INCOG) for the benefit of the Low Water Dam Project near Muscogee (Creek) Nation Property. Representative Nelson Harjo Sr. sponsored the bill, which was unanimously voted to be postponed until the next emergency session.
The multi-million dollar project involves several partners pledging funds to reach a financial goal of $97,076,000.00. MCN has a significant interest in the project and intends to pledge $8,192,000.00.
TR 22-183 Confirming the nomination of Alexandra Masters to serve as Special District Court Judge of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Representative Leonard Gouge sponsored the bill, which was adopted with 13 votes in favor, 0 against, and one abstain.
Masters has already served a one-year term as a Special District Court Judge of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and this will be her second one-year term. Her next term will begin on Jan. 14, 2023, and will end on Jan. 15, 2024. Masters’ nomination required a ⅔ vote of the full council.
NCA 22-153 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving the Comprehensive Annual Budget for the Fiscal Year 2023 and providing for appropriations. Representative Randall Hicks sponsored the bill, which was adopted 12-2.
The National Council has conducted budget hearings for the Fiscal Year 2023 Comprehensive Annual Budget and has approved all executive, judicial and legislative budgets. The budget will provide appropriations and authorized expenditures for FY 2023. The bill had previously appeared in the last regular session, however, it was postponed to be voted on at a later emergency session.
The meeting, agenda, and full legislation can be viewed at www.mcnnc.com.
