OKMULGEE, Okla. – The Muscogee (Creek) National Council held the monthly Business, Finance and Justice Committee session at the Mound Building on Dec. 5.
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:
TR 24-143 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 Creek County to hold criminal defendants at the Creek County Justice Center in Creek County, City of Sapulpa, Oklahoma was passed by the committee. The resolution was sponsored by Representative Robert Hufft of the Tulsa District. It was passed with a vote of 2-0.
If approved, the resolution would allow Muscogee Nation to continue keeping criminals at the Creek County Justice Center in exchange for a limited waiving of sovereign immunity in regards to Oklahoma law.
TR 24-144 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 was passed by the committee. The resolution was sponsored by Rep. Hufft. It was passed with a vote of 2-0.
If approved, the resolution would allow Muscogee Nation to continue keeping criminals at the Okfuskee County Jail in exchange for a limited waiving of sovereign immunity in regards to Oklahoma law.
NCA 24-166 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fiscal Relief Funding from the United States Department of Treasury for the benefit of security on the tribal complex was postponed by the committee. The law was sponsored by Representative Dode Barnett of the Creek District. It was postponed until the next BFJ meeting with a vote of 2-0.
If adopted, this law will allow the Muscogee (Creek) Nation to spend $982,839 in order to ensure security on the tribal complex.
NCA 24-167 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 6, Chapter 8, Subchapter 2, entitled “Roles and Responsibilities” was postponed by the committee. The law was sponsored by Rep. Barnett. It was postponed until the next BFJ meeting with a vote of 2-0.
If adopted, this law will alter the responsibilities of parents whose children are attending juvenile court within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
Referred Legislation
NCA 24-151 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) appropriating funds for the Alternative Housing Program FY 2025 budget, to the amount of $2,461,580, was approved by the committee. The law was sponsored by Representative Mark Randolph of the Wagoner/Roger/Mayes District.
If adopted, the funds will be used to help provide housing for Muscogee (Creek) citizens who are in need of it, and whose homes are unrepairable or are a concern to health and safety.
NCA 24-155 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the United States Department of Agriculture, to the amount of $83,843, and appropriating a tribal match for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Food Distribution Program was approved by the committee. The law was sponsored by Representative Anna Marshall of the Tukvpvtce District.
If adopted, the funds will provide food to income-eligible Indigenous households within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation reservation and will cover administrative costs.
NCA 24-161 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) appropriating funds to be used toward the purchase of property located in Hughes County, Oklahoma, to the amount of $45,000, was approved by the committee. The law was sponsored by Representative Galen Cloud of the McIntosh District.
If adopted, the funds will be used for the continued use of the Salt Creek Indian Baptist Church in Hughes County, Oklahoma.
To view the full agenda, visit: mcnnc.com.
