MVSKOKE RESERVATION – On Aug. 14, 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:
TR 25-073 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming the nomination of Tim Wheeler to serve on the Mvskoke Loan Fund Board was postponed with a vote of 3-0. Representative Nelson Harjo Sr. sponsored the legislation. The legislation is postponed until next month.
If adopted, this resolution will allow Tim Wheeler to serve on the Mvskoke Loan Fund’s Board, with his term beginning on the date of his confirmation and ending after, at the most, three years.
TR 25-074 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation nominating Toni Smith to serve as the District Court Trial Judge of the District Trial Court Civil Division of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation passed with a vote of 2-0-1 with Representative Patrick Freeman abstaining. Representative Dode Barnett sponsored the legislation.
If adopted, this resolution allows Toni Smith to serve as the District Trial Court Judge for the Muscogee Nation District Trial Court’s Civil Division, starting from the date of her confirmation to December 31, 2029.
TR 25-075 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving and authorizing the Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises, LLC (“MNGE”) Board of Directors to execute the Platinum Gaming Ventures, LLC. lease agreement passed with a vote of 3-0. Representative Robert Hufft sponsored the legislation.
If adopted, this resolution allows for the creation of a 60-month lease agreement between Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises and Platinum Gaming Ventures.
TR 25-079 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation opposing proposed congressional language to limit the rights of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma passed with a vote of 3-0. Rep. Barnett sponsored the legislation.
If adopted, this resolution would allow the Muscogee Nation to formally oppose the proposed congressional language against the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, written by Congressman Markwayne Mullin.
During discussion, Rep. Barnett stated, “As many people know they’ve been under attack, parts of their sovereignty are under attack, and this is a resolution in support of their endeavor to maintain their sovereignty. I felt like it was important for us to speak out for sovereignty in general but specifically to stand with this tribe.”
NCA 25-070 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 14 Chapter 2, Subchapter 9, Subsection 2-911, entitled “Child Endangerment,” passed with a vote of 3-0. Rep. Barnett sponsored the legislation.
If adopted, this resolution will expand the definition of child endangerment to include a person driving a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or other substances when a child is in the vehicle, regardless of whether or not the amount of Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) reaches the level of a DUI.
NCA 25-071 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation establishing a new MCNCA Title 14, Subsection 2-345 entitled “Digital Operation Exposing Sexual Abuse of a Minor” was postponed with a vote of 3-0. Rep. Harjo Sr. sponsored the legislation. It is postponed until Aug. 19.
If adopted, this law will properly define the scope of operations taken up by law enforcement to investigate and arrest those suspected of sexual abuse of a minor via digital sources.
NCA 25-072 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 14, Subsection 2-309 entitled “Stalking” was postponed with a vote of 3-0. Rep. Harjo Sr. sponsored the legislation. It is postponed until Aug. 19.
If adopted, this law will work to elaborate on the definition of Stalking, in order to protect victims of stalking and their loved ones.
NCA 25-073 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 14, Subsection 1-401 entitled “Joinder of Offenses” was postponed with a vote of 3-0. Rep. Harjo Sr. sponsored the legislation. It is postponed until Aug. 19.
If adopted, this law will be amended so that separate cases involving the same victims will be joined into one single case.
NCA 25-074 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 14, Subsection 2-326 entitled “Sexual Abuse of a Minor or Ward”; MCNCA Title 14, Subsection 2-327 entitled “Abusive Sexual Contact” and MCNCA Title 14, Subsection 2-342 entitled “Transmitting Information About A Minor” passed with a vote of 3-0. Rep. Barnett. sponsored the legislation.
If adopted, this law will increase the legal age of consent according to MCN law from 16 to 18 in order to protect minors from abuse by predators.
NCA 25-076 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the Oklahoma Juvenile Affairs Title II Formula Grant Program funds for the Benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Juvenile Justice Program passed with a vote of 3-0. Rep. Barnett sponsored the legislation.
If adopted, this law will allow the Muscogee Nation to use grant funds in the amount of $23,723.00 to purchase life skills training packages, as well as backpacks and school supplies for juveniles attending this training.
To view the full agenda, visit: mcnnc.com.
