OKMULGEE, Okla. – The Muscogee (Creek) National Council held the monthly Business, Finance and Justice Committee session at the Mound Building on Oct. 17.
Passed legislation is subject to full council approval during the regular session.
The committee addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
NCA 24-132 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of funds, to the amount of $500,000, for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s Lighthorse Police Department for the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women’s Fiscal Year 2024 Enhancing Investigation and Prosecution of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking (EIP) Initiative Grant was passed by the committee. The law was sponsored by Representative Dode Barnett of the Creek District. It was passed with a vote of 4-0.
If adopted, this law will allow the Muscogee Nation’s Lighthorse Police to purchase equipment meant to assist in the solving of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking crimes, as well as hiring an additional investigator.
NCA 24-133 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 Waiver Demonstration Project Grant, to the amount of $2,000,000, for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s Office of Child Support was passed by the committee. The law was sponsored by Rep. Barnett. It was passed with a vote of 4-0.
If adopted, this law will allow the creation of a program meant to provide employment services, job training, and other opportunities for tribal members who are under child support orders and are in the Muscogee Nation IV-D program.
NCA 24-134 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs Support for the Adam Walsh Act Implementation Grant Program, to the amount of $432,882, for the benefit of the Lighthorse Police Department, was passed by the committee. The law was sponsored by Rep. Barnett. It was passed with a vote of 4-0.
If adopted, this law will allow the Lighthorse Police to enhance its Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) program to attempt to fix the issue of sex offenders not registering when entering tribal lands, as well as attempt to educate the general public and keep citizens safe.
NCA 24-135 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, Office for Victims of Crime’s FY 24 Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Formula Program Grant Award, to the amount of $441,989, for the benefit of the Office of the Attorney General, was passed by the committee. The law was sponsored by Rep. Barnett. It was passed with a vote of 4-0.
If adopted, this law will allow the Attorney General’s office to hire a Victim Advocate to provide a variety of important services to the victims of crimes, such as support services for court hearings, referrals to legal assistance and therapy, accompaniment to certain medical exams, emergency financial aid, accompaniment to appointments with the prosecutor, and general support and assistance.
NCA 24-136 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of funds to the amount of $897,794, for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s Lighthorse Police Department for the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community-Oriented Policing Services’ FY 2024 COPS Office Tribal Resources Grant Program – Equipment and Training, was passed by the committee. The law was sponsored by Rep. Barnett. It was passed with a vote of 4-0.
If adopted, this law will allow the Lighthorse Police to pay for twelve new Chevrolet Tahoe police vehicles, as well as for the travel of two employees to attend required training held by the U.S. Department of Justice, known as Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation, or CTAS.
NCA 24-137 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Internal Revenue Service, to the amount of $2,300, for the benefit of the Office of the Secretary of the Nation, was passed by the committee. The law was sponsored by Rep. Barnett. It was passed with a vote of 4-0.
If approved, this law will allow the Muscogee (Creek) Nation to provide assistance in preparing income tax returns for tribal citizens who are 60 and older.
NCA 24-138 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, to the amount of $15,000, for the benefit of the Office of the Secretary of the Nation, was passed by the committee. The law was sponsored by Rep. Barnett. It was passed with a vote of 4-0.
If adopted, this law will allow the Muscogee (Creek) Nation to provide assistance in preparing income tax returns for tribal citizens who are 59 and younger.
Referred Legislation:
NCA 24-127 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, to the amount of $625,000, for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s Department of Housing and Appropriating Funds, was passed by the committee. The law was sponsored by Representative Robyn Whitecloud of the Okmulgee District and was referred to the BFJ from the LNC committee on Oct. 8. The funding source was passed with a vote of 4-0.
If adopted, this law will allow the Muscogee (Creek) Nation to revitalize the Crutchmer Low-Rent Housing Project, which is in severe distress and is located in Okmulgee, Oklahoma.