By Frances Herrod, MM Reporter
Okmulgee, Okla. – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s National Council held an emergency session via teleconference on December 26, 2024 where the council unanimously approved MCN Principal Chief David Hill to execute a tobacco compact.
The council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bill:
TR 24-146 A Tribal Resolution of The Muscogee (Creek) Nation approving and authorizing the Principal Chief to execute the Tobacco Tax Compact between the State of Oklahoma and The Muscogee (Creek) Nation. The legislation was sponsored by Representative Dode Barnett of Creek District, co-sponsored by Speaker Randall Hicks of Okfuskee District and Sergeant-At-Arms Darrell Proctor of McIntosh District. It was adopted by the National Council with a unanimous vote of 15-0.
The new compact was set to be effective January 1, 2025. The deadline for the compact was set for Dec. 31 2024. That compact was not executed by the Oklahoma governor. Instead, a negotiation extension was agreed upon by Tribal and State leadership that would give the two more time to come to terms.
The Muscogee Nation’s press release stated the Nation will not license any new retail outlets during the extension period, except to renew existing licenses at sites, the negotiation of a new tobacco compact will not be contingent on motor vehicle tag compacts. All other terms will remain the same for the duration of the extension.
“These continued negotiations are important, as the Muscogee Nations remains steadfast in our resolve to reach a new tobacco compact that protects our sovereignty, our business owners, and that is fair and equitable for both the Nation and for Oklahoma,” Principal Chief David Hill said. “We look forward to having more time to engage on a true government-to-government basis to reach an agreement that does not compromise the sovereign interests of the Nation.”
Mvskoke Media will continue to report on tobacco compacts as new details develop.
