MVSKOKE RESERVATION – On Tuesday, Sept. 22, 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 26-008 A resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) National Council adopting the rules of procedure of the National Council. Representative Lucian Tiger III sponsored the legislation. It passed 4-0.
There was no discussion on this bill.
TR 26-076 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming the nomination of Joseph Johnson to serve as a Supreme Court Justice of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Representative William Lowe sponsored the legislation. It passed 4-0.
According to the legislation, if Johnson is approved, he will serve a six-year term. During discussion, Representative Sandra Golden asked where Johnson resided and if it would affect his ability to do the job. Johnson responded that he lives in Oklahoma City and that it would not affect his ability to do the job. Representative Charles McHenry asked Johnson whether he believed MCN Supreme Court Justices could change the Tribal Constitution. Rep. Tiger interjected and asked Johnson not to answer the question because the committee was not in executive session. Rep. Tiger suggested that the question be asked during a routine interview at the Saturday, Oct. 31, Quarterly Session.
TR 26-077 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving and authorizing the Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises, LLC (“MNGE”) Board of Directors to execute the River Spirit Casino Resort I-5 Design-Build, Inc. Agreement. Representative Robert Hufft sponsored the bill. It passed 4-0.
According to the legislation, the improvements contract will exceed $1 million. During the discussion, MNGE Facilities Manager Kevin Agee explained that this bill will cover refresh and improvement plans for the Tribe’s gaming facilities in 2027. There was no discussion on this bill.
TR 26-078 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a certain intergovernmental detention agreement with the Board of County Commissioners of Okfuskee County to hold criminal defendants at the Okfuskee County Jail in Okfuskee County, City of Okemah, Oklahoma. Rep.Golden sponsored the bill. It passed 4-0.
According to the legislation, the detention agreement will require the Nation to pay for inmate housing at the rate of $45 per day from Thursday, Oct. 1 through Wednesday, March 31, 2027. The housing rate will increase to $55 per day beginning Thursday, April 1, 2027. MCN Director of Detention Services Robert Frost explained that this bill will allow 50 inmates to be transferred from Tulsa to Okemah. Rep. Golden raised a concern that citizens who are family members of inmates have been targeted by scams.
NCA 26-141 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending NCA 26-127 (A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the transfer of funds from the fund account formally known as Health Services Fund to other fund accounts and to the Tribal Energy, School Clothing, Tribal Burial Assistance and Food for Funeral Assistance Programs’ Budget). Representative Robert Hufft sponsored the bill. It passed 4-0.
According to the legislation, a total of $13,179,452 will be transferred. The Tribal Energy Program will receive $2 million. The School Clothing Program will receive $2 million. The Tribal Burial Assistance Program will receive $700,000 for fiscal year 2027 and $700,00 for fiscal year 2028. The Food for Funeral Assistance Program will receive $100,000 for fiscal years 2027 and 2028. During discussion, Rep. Golden asked for clarification that these were Tribal funds. Rep. Hufft confirmed they are Tribal funds.
NCA 26-142 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families Tribal Child Support Enforcement Program Grant for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Office of Child Support. Rep. Lowe sponsored the bill. It passed 4-0.
According to the legislation, the Office of Child Support will receive $2,915,384.88 in grant funds. During discussion, Representative Lora Harjo King asked if the budget for this department had been approved. Director of Child Support Enforcement April Gaither confirmed that the budget had been approved.
NCA 26-143 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the 2026 Rural Business Development Grant for the benefit of the Mvskoke Loan Fund. Representative James Factor sponsored the bill. It passed 4-0.
According to the legislation, the Mvskoke Loan Fund will receive $125,788 in grant funds. The Nation will provide a 25% match, or $31,447. There was no discussion.
NCA 26-144 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 6, Chapter 8, entitled “Muscogee (Creek) Nation Juvenile Delinquency Code.” Rep. Lowe sponsored the bill. It passed 4-0.
The amendment updates specific code numbers regarding juvenile delinquency law. There was no discussion on this bill.
NCA 26-145 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending NCA 13-200 (A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving and authorizing the Principal Chief to execute and file the articles of organization with the Office of Secretary of the Nation to form “OneFire Holding Company, LLC” under the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Limited Liability Company Act and approving the operating agreement for “OneFire Holding Company, LLC)”) as amended by NCA 14-080 and NCA 14-178 and NCA 18-121, NCA 20-007, NCA 21-109, NCA 23-095 and NCA 26-052. Rep. Lowe sponsored the legislation. It passed, 3-1. Rep. Hufft voted against the legislation.
The amendment removes Section Five Exemptions/Non Applicability. There was no discussion on this bill.
NCA 26-146 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 30, Chapter 3. Entitled “Meetings of National Council”. It was sponsored by Rep. Tiger. It passed as amended 3-1. Rep. Hufft voted against the legislation.
According to the legislation, all Regular Sessions and Quarterly Sessions will be moved from the last Saturday of each month to the last Thursday of each month. Rep. Tiger explained that the date change was to allow MCN employees to attend the meetings during the week. He argued that this would make it easier for citizens living outside Okmulgee to attend meetings.
Referred Legislation:
NCA 26-138 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation appropriating funds for the purchase of certain mineral interests located in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma. Representative Cody Phillips sponsored the bill. The funding source was identified as gaming. It was approved for funding 4-0.
According to the legislation, $63,425 will be used for the purchase. There was no discussion.
NCA 26-139 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation appropriating funds to the Mound Building Oversight Committee for the maintenance and upkeep of the Mound Building. Representative Darrell Proctor sponsored the bill. It was approved for funding, 4-0.
According to the legislation, $100,000 will be used to upgrade security systems and provide maintenance and upkeep of the Mound Building.
Rep. Hufft moved to go into executive session.
To view the full agenda, visit: mcnnc.com
