OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – A Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council Regular Session meeting was held in person and teleconference on Dec. 16 at the Mound Building.
The National Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 23-123 – A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the principal chief to execute a memorandum of understanding with the City of Clearview. Representative Charles McHenry sponsored the legislation, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
The memorandum will allow the Nation’s tribal transportation program to make improvements to public roadways within the city including the Box Culvert Replacement Project, which will replace the existing box on the city’s mainstreet. According to the bill, the project is estimated to cost $134,000.
TR 23-125 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming the nomination of Alexandra Masters to serve as the district trial judge for the family law division (including child support) of the district trial court of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Representative Randall Hicks sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 14-0-1.
Masters’ term will begin upon confirmation and will end Dec. 31, 2027.
TR 23-126 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving the gaming licenses regulation submitted by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Public Gaming Commission. Rep. Randall Hicks sponsored the legislation, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
The bill will update the gaming licenses as the primary compliance tool in updated regulation of class II and class III gaming.
TR 23-127 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation certifying broadband availability and affordability within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation. Representative Sandra Golden sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
According to the bill it will allow underserved areas of the reservation to receive access to high-speed broadband data. This will be carried out through speed tests, community surveys and utilization of the Ready BOSS platform.
NCA 23-152 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending NCA 22-070 (A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the American Rescue Plan Act Fiscal Recovery Funding for the benefit of the Tiny Homes Program) Rep. McHenry sponsored the bill, which was adopted nearly unanimously 14-1.
The bill will expend $353,200 in ARPA funds for citizens experiencing short-term homelessness. The funds will go toward operations and maintenance of the home facilities used by the program.
NCA 23-153 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the benefit of the Office of Environmental Services. Representative Galen Cloud sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
The bill will expend $654,090 in grand funds to continue environmental programs for air and radon and give the department greater flexibility to address its highest environmental priorities, and strengthen the partnership between Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the Environmental Protection Agency.
NCA 23-154 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the department of health and human services administration for children and families low-income home energy assistance program funds for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Social Services Program. Representative Robert Hufft sponsored the legislation, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
The bill will expend $306,687 in grant funds to provide cooling and crisis funds for the program.
NCA 23-155 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the United States Department of Agriculture and appropriating the tribal match for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Food Distribution Program. Representative Mary Crawford sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
The bill will expend $337,350 from the gaming fund account to match the $1,349,398 grant. It will provide food and administrative funds to the food distribution program.
NCA 23-156 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Head Start Program. Rep. Hufft sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
According to the bill, it will expend $16,000 in grant funds for approximately 107 car seats and equipment needed for training clinics.
NCA 23-157 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds received from the United States Department of the Treasury for the benefit of the Okmulgee County Fairgrounds. Representative Joseph Hicks sponsored the legislation, which was adopted by a two-thirds majority vote of 10-5.
The bill will expend $104,870 in ARPA funds to be used for supporting the facilities used by the county’s youth agriculture programs, including the Nation’s.
NCA 23-158 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Policing Services (COPS), 2023 Cops Hiring Program (CHP) Grant Program and appropriating tribal funds for the tribal match for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Police Department. Rep. Randall Hicks sponsored the legislation, which was adopted nearly unanimously 13-2.
The bill will expend $2,000,000 in grant funds for LHP to hire 16 new officers. The tribe will match $1,898,544 in funds from an unspecified tribal fund.
NCA 23-159 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending NCA 23-107 (A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving the comprehensive annual budget for fiscal year 2024 and providing for appropriations) as amended by NCA 23-148. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Randall Hicks, and was adopted nearly unanimously 14-1.
Estimated tribal funds have been revised, including gaming revenues which were amended from $136,757,987, to $137,334,295. Expenditure appropriations for interior affairs were revised from $20,980,919, to $21,557,227.
NCA 23-160 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a supplemental appropriation for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Citizenship Office’s fiscal year 2024 budget. Representative Joyce C. Deere sponsored the legislation, which was adopted unanimously 15-0.
The bill will expend a supplemental $200,000 from the gaming fund account to be used for legal services used by the MCN Citizenship Office.
NCA 23-161 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fiscal relief funding for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Recreation Department playing fields located at the Claude Cox Omniplex in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Randolph and co-sponsored by Rep. Randall Hicks. It was adopted by a vote of 12-3.
The bill will expend $3,143,084.83 in ARPA funds to be used for new turf for the sports facilities.
NCA 23-162 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fiscal relief funding for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Recreation Department to replace and install new lighting for playing fields located at the Claude Cox Omniplex in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Rep. Randolph sponsored the bill, which was unanimously adopted 15-0.
The bill will expend $590,000 in ARPA funds to be used to replace deteriorated and blighted lighting around the Omniplex complex. This will involve a general effort to restore and improve existing infrastructure.
The meeting, agenda, and full legislation can be viewed at www.mcnnc.com.