OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council held a Health, Education, and Welfare Committee session at the Mound Building on March 21. Directly afterwards, a Business, Finance and Justice/Health, Education and Welfare Joint Committee session was held.
Passed legislation is subject to Full Council approval during the Regular Session held the last Saturday of each month.
The committee addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
NCA 23-022 Amending MCNCA Title 19, Chapter 2, Entitled “Organization of Election Board and Precinct Election Committees,” Chapter 10, entitled “Absentee Voting” and Chapter 15, Entitled “Campaign Finance Code.” Representative Leonard Gouge Sponsored the legislation, which passed 3-0.
According to MCN Election Board Manager Nelson Harjo Jr, the code was modified in order to simplify language. The absentee ballots were extended from 20 to 30 days. The campaign finance code was updated so donations can only be accepted from Muscogee citizens of Muscogee-owned businesses. Election board members’ stipends were increased from one payment to a payment for each event that a board member attends and helps with.
NCA 23-021 Authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Oklahoma Native Assets Coalition for the benefit of the Office of the Secretary of the Nation. Representative Mark Randolph sponsored the legislation, which passed 8-0.
The VITA grant was awarded in the amount of $10,000.
The full meeting can be watched at www.mncnnc.com.
