MVSKOKE RESERVATION – On Thursday, Aug. 20, the Business, Finance, and Justice Committee held an in-person meeting. Passed legislation will go on to the next full council meeting, unless otherwise noted.
The committee addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
NCR 26-007 A resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) National Council adopting the Rules of Procedures of the National Council. Representative Lucian Tiger sponsored the bill. It was cosponsored by Representatives Mary Crawford, James Factor, Sandra Golden, William Lowe, Anna Marshall, Cody Phillips, and Darrell Proctor. It passed by a vote of 4-0.
If adopted by the full council, amendments to the Rules of Procedure will take effect. There was no discussion on this bill. The legislation does not specify the changes the amendment makes.
TR 26-052 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a fourth amendment and limited waiver to a revolving loan and security agreement with BOKF, NA dba Bank of Oklahoma. Rep. Tiger sponsored the bill. It passed by a vote of 4-0.
If adopted by the full council, it will release and remove four certain Investment Accounts and amend the Securities Account Control Agreement between the Nation and the Bank of Oklahoma. There was no discussion on this bill.
TR 26-053 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute an engagement agreement for legal services with the law firm of Foster Garvey PC on behalf of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Rep. Golden sponsored the bill. It passed by a vote of 4-0.
If the bill is adopted by the full council, the legal services of R. Daniel Carter of Conner & Winters LLP will continue to be utilized. There was no discussion on this bill.
NCA 26-124 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice, FY 2026 Special Attorneys Program Round 2 for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Office of the Attorney General. Rep. Lowe sponsored the bill. It passed by a vote of 4-0.
If the $1,126,157 bill is enacted into law, the grant will fund the hiring of two prosecutors who will be cross-designated to prosecute cases involving non-citizen offenders. There was no discussion on this bill.
NCA 26-125 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title § 3-1307 entitled “Person Involved In Personal Injury Accident While Under The Influence of Alcohol Or Other Intoxicating Substance – Causing Great Bodily Injury.” Rep. Golden sponsored the bill. It passed by a vote of 4-0.
If the bill is adopted into law, it will add language to the existing law on DUI offenses. It defines a second DUI offense as a felony. Offenders who cause great bodily harm can face up to two years in prison and a $5,000 fine. There was no discussion on this bill.
NCA 26-126 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 37, Chapter 3, entitled “Employees” to amend the minimum hourly wage for employees of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and appropriating funds for employee wage increases. Rep. Tiger sponsored the bill. It was cosponsored by Reps. Crawford, Factor, Harjo-King, Golden, Marshall, Proctor, Phillips, and Representative Robert Hufft. It passed by a vote of 4-0.
Rep. Tiger said the raises will be covered by interest on the permanent fund. According to Tiger, he has discussed the parameters of this bill with the executive branch and the controller’s office. Rep. Hufft was added as a cosponsor to the bill.
If adopted by the full council, the $52.5 m bill will increase the Muscogee (Creek) Nation government’s minimum wage to $20 per hour over the next three fiscal years. This will amount to approximately a $10,400 raise by Fiscal Year 29.
NCA 26-127 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the transfer of funds from the fund account formally known as the Health Services Fund to other fund accounts and to the Tribal Energy, School Clothing, Tribal Burial Assistance, and Food for Funeral Assistance Programs’ budgets. Rep. Hufft sponsored the bill. It was cosponsored by Reps. Tiger, Phillips, Factor, and Speaker Randall Hicks. It passed by a vote of 4-0.
If the bill is adopted by the full council, a $13,179,452 surplus will be transferred from the Health Services Fund Account.
Referred Legislation:
NCA 26-114 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a supplemental appropriation for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation School Clothing Program FY 2026 Budget. Rep. Crawford sponsored the bill. The funding source was approved 4-0.
The funding source was identified as the Motor Fuel Tax.
To view the full agenda, visit: mcnnc.com.
