OKMULGEE, Okla. – The Muscogee (Creek) National Council held the Business, Finance and Justice Committee session at the Mound Building on Jan. 16.
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 25-008 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming the nomination of Geraldine (Geri) Wisner to serve as the Attorney General of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation was passed by the committee. The resolution was sponsored by Representative Dode Barnett of the Creek District. It was pulled from the agenda by Principal Chief Hill.
NCA 25-009 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the U.S. Department of the Interior, to the amount of $168,427.00, for the benefit of the Lighthorse Police Department, was passed by the committee. The law was sponsored by Representative Nelson Harjo Sr. of the Okmulgee District. It was passed with a vote of 4-0.
If adopted, this law will pay for fringe benefits, indirect costs, and pay for additional hours worked for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s Lighthorse Police department.
NCA 25-010 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the U.S. Department of Treasury Community Development Financial Institutions Fund Assistance Agreement Grant, to the amount of $1,265,000.00, for the benefit of the Mvskoke Loan Fund, was passed by the committee. The law was sponsored by Rep. Harjo Sr. It was passed with a vote of 4-0.
If adopted, this law will allow the Mvskoke Loan Fund to access more money to be lended out to its clients.
NCA 25-011 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 26, Chapter 2, § 2-201.E, entitled “Compensation”, was passed by the committee. The law was sponsored by Representative Randall Hicks of the Okfuskee District. It was passed with a vote of 4-0.
If adopted, this law will increase the amount of compensation given to District Trial Court judges for the increase in their workload.
NCA 25-018 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 16 § 1-108, entitled “Legitimate purposes for commissions to fill vacancies,” and § 1-109, entitled “Commissions no substitution for joint approval of appointments,” and creating new subsection, entitled “Nominations” in MCNCA Title 16, Chapter 1, entitled “Organization of the Executive Office of the Principal Chief” was passed by the committee. The law was sponsored by Rep. Barnett, and was co-sponsored by Rep. Harjo, Rep. Hicks, Representative Galen Cloud, Representative Mary Crawford, Representative Joyce C. Deere, Representative Patrick Freeman Jr., Representative Sandra Golden, Representative Robert Hufft, Representative Anna Marshall, Representative Charles McHenry, Representative Thomasene Yahola Osborn, Representative Darrell Proctor, Representative Mark Randolph, and Representative Robyn Whitecloud. It was passed with a vote of 4-0.
If adopted, this law will limit the amount of times a person may be nominated by the Principal Chief within a single session of the National Council, and establish penalties for failed nominees who attempt to illegally serve despite the National Council’s rejection.
Referred Legislation:
NCA 25-005 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a special appropriation for the cost of necessary measures related to the protection of the Muscogee sacred site of Hickory Ground near Wetumpka, Alabama, to the amount of $450,000.00, was passed by the committee. The law was sponsored by Rep. Proctor and co-sponsored by Rep. Cloud. It was passed with a vote of 4-0.
NCA 25-006 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing an appropriation to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Cultural Center and Archives Department for museum collection, to the amount of $437,336.81, was passed by the committee. The law was sponsored by Rep. Cloud. It was passed with a vote of 4-0.
NCA 25-008 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Department of Health & Human Services Administration for Children and Families, to the amount of $742,320.00, for the benefit of the Head Start program and appropriating tribal match, was passed by the committee. The law was sponsored by Rep. Proctor and co-sponsored by Rep. Cloud. It was passed with a vote of 4-0.
To view the full agenda, visit: mcnnc.com.
