OKMULGEE, Okla. – A Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council Business, Finance and Justice Committee meeting was held in person and teleconference April 20 at the Mound Building. Passed legislation is subject to Full Council approval during the Regular Session held the last Saturday of each month.
BFJ addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 23-035 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming the nomination of Amos McNac to serve as a Supreme Court Justice of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Representative Randall Hicks sponsored the legislation, which unanimously passed 4-0.
Upon confirmation, McNac’s new term will last six years. McNac’s pre interview was moved to the pre agenda meeting on Saturday, April 29 before the Regular Session.
TR 23-036 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming the nomination of Montie Deer to serve as a Supreme Court Justice of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Rep. Randall Hicks sponsored the legislation, which unanimously passed 4-0.
Upon confirmation, Deer’s new term will last six years. Deer’s pre interview was also moved to the pre agenda meeting on Saturday, April 29 before the Regular Session.
TR 23-037 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to submit a grant application to the Department of Justice, Office of Community Policing Services (COPS), 2023 Cops Hiring Program (CHP) Grant Program for the Lighthorse Police Department. Rep. Randall Hicks sponsored the legislation, which unanimously passed 4-0.
The Nation will provide a 25% match, or $2,451,427.02 for a grand total of $4,451,427.02. It will allow the MCN Lighthorse Police Department to hire 16 additional officers.
NCA 23-015 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending NCA 15-015 (A Law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving and authorizing the Principal Chief to execute and file the articles of organization with the Office of the Secretary of the Nation to form “Muscogee Nation Businesses, LLC” under the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Limited Liability Company Act and approving the operating agreement for “Muscogee Nation Businesses, LLC”) Representative Sandra Golden sponsored the bill, which was unanimously passed, 4-0.
The bill states that the purpose of forming a limited-liability company wholly owned by the Nation will allow it to engage in economic development ventures and other activities in furtherance of its governmental objectives and advancement of its members. The bill was postponed from a previous meeting on March 16.
NCA 23-025 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of Interior Division of Economic Development, Office of Indian Economic Development for the benefit of the Office of Marketing and Tourism. Rep. Randall Hicks sponsored the bill, which unanimously passed, 4-0.
The legislation will expend $149,423.00 in grant funds. It will be used to evaluate the project/market opportunities for tourism opportunities including international tourism, bus tours, and website development. It will also allow the department to create more cohesive gift shops, and develop a well-defined market profile within the MCN reservation.
NCA 23-026 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending NCA 14-029 (A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation appropriating funds for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Festival) Speaker Will Lowe sponsored the legislation, which passed 3-1.
The bill will expend $780,000 from the Economic Development Fund Account for the MCN Festival FY 2023 annual budget.
Referred Legislation
NCA 23-023 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a supplemental appropriation for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Head Start Program Fiscal Year 2023 budget. Representative Leonard Gouge sponsored the bill, which was initially introduced in the April 19 Health, Education and Welfare committee meeting.
The funding source for this bill was identified as the Interest on Permanent fund. The appropriation will meet Head Start’s need to cover the cost of food purchases for six centers and three collaboration sites for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year.
NCA 23-024 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation appropriating funds to be used toward the purchase of property located in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma. Representative Thomasene Yahola Osborn sponsored the bill, which was initially introduced in the April 18 Land, Natural Resources & Cultural Preservation committee meeting.
The funding source for this bill was identified as the Economic Development and Land Acquisition Fund. The asking price from the owner is $1,000,000 and will be used for the cost of title insurance, title opinions, surveys, environmental studies and applicable taxes.
All referred legislation was approved by the BFJ committee for funding.
Other business involved the MNGE (GOAB), Muscogee Nation Business Enterprise and Muscogee International LLC.
To view the full sub-committee meeting, visit: www.mcnnc.com.
