OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – A Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council Business, Finance and Justice Committee meeting was held in person on April 21 at the Mound Building.
All legislation will go before the full Council during the quarterly session April 30.
BFJ addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
NCR 22-008 Selecting Chester Pittman to the Board of Directors of Fountainhead Creek Golf Course. Representative Randall Hicks sponsored the bill, which was passed with a vote of 3-0.
Pittman, a Muscogee (Creek) citizen, was nominated by the National Council to serve on the Board of Directors for a term that would begin upon confirmation of the full council and end on April 30, 2025.
NCR 22-009 Confirming Rita E. Courtwright to serve on the Mvskoke Media Editorial board. Rep. Patrick Freeman Jr. sponsored the bill, which was postponed until the next Business Finance and Justice Committee meeting with a vote of 3-0.
The National Council has nominated Rita E. Courtwright to serve as on the Mvksoke Media Editorial Board. Term will begin upon confirmation of the full council and end September 26, 2022.
TR 22-071 Confirming the nomination of LuAnn Hudson to serve on the Mvskoke Loan Fund Board. Rep. Mark Randolph sponsored the bill, which passed 3-0.
The Principal Chief has nominated Hudson to serve on the Mvskoke Loan Fund Board, her term would begin upon confirmation of the full council and shall expire consistent with the bylaws of the Mvskoke Loan Fund, not to exceed three years from the date of confirmation.
TR 22-072 Approving the United States Department of Treasury Community Development Financial Institutions Fund Assistance Agreement terms and conditions for the benefit of the Mvskoke Loan Fund. Rep. Randolph sponsored the bill, which passed 3-0.
The Mvskoke Loan Fund received grant funding in the amount of $696,000. The grant was awarded to provide general lending capital in the amount of $500,000 and an additional $196,000 for lending capital and technical assistance that will be focused in Okfuskee County.
TR 22-074 Authorizing the Principal Chief to submit a U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance FY 2022 body-worn camera policy and implementation program to support law enforcement agencies grant application. Rep. Randolph sponsored the bill, which passed 3-0-1 with Rep. Sandra Golden abstaining.
The grant would award MCN LHPD in the amount of $81,455 to expand a Body-Worn Camera Program to reduce the use of force by assisting in the de-escalation of conflicts.
NCA 22-042 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 36, Chapter 3, entitled “Motor Vehicle Tax and License Code”. Rep. Golden sponsored the bill, which passed 3-0.
The amendment codifies car tags, vehicle conditions, license plates, and vehicle classification. It also amend code to include vehicle registration tax charges with defined fees for specific citizen tag classifications.
NCA 22-043 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the American Rescue Plan Act Fiscal Recovery Funding for the benefit of the Fountainhead Creek Golf Course. Rep. Golden sponsored the bill, which passed 3-0.
Final guidance regarding ARPA funding has encouraged recipients to aid impacted tourism and hospitality industries, including deferred maintenance due to revenue loss. FCGC closed during the earliest part of the pandemic for nearly two months. Maintenance for the pump station was deferred during this time.
National Council would authorize the Principal Chief or his designee to expend $125,801 to assist with the cost of maintenance for the pump station.
NCA 22-044 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 for the benefit of the Mvksoke Loan Fund. Rep. Randolph sponsored the bill, which passed 4-0.
MLF was awarded the U.S. Department of Treasury Community Development Financial Institutions Fund Assistance Agreement Grant in the amount of $696,000.
Authorization from the National council is required to expend grand funds necessary to administer the grant.
NCA 22-046 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation amending MCNCA Title 36, Chapter 3, entitled “Motor Vehicle Tax and License Code”. Rep. Thomasene Yahola Osborn sponsored the bill, which passed 3-0.
The amendment would include Muscogee (Creek) citizens who reside within the geographical boundaries of the State of Oklahoma.
NCA 22-049 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the expenditure of the U.S. Department of Justice FY 2022 target support for the Muscogee (Creek), Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Seminole Nations in Oklahoma special invitation to apply grant award for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Police Department. Rep. Freeman sponsored the bill, which passed 4-0.
The grant awarded MCN LHPD in the amount of $502,000 will go toward an increased capacity to respond to sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, sex trafficking calls and crimes against Native American women. It also permits the LHPD to hire two investigators.
NCA 22-050 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a supplemental appropriation to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Secretary of the Nation and Commerce FY 2022 budget. Rep. Freeman sponsored the bill, which was postponed for one month with a vote of 4-0.
The Secretary of the Nation and Commerce is requesting a supplemental appropriation to the FY 2022 budget in the amount of $177,268.
The funds would be used to supplement the salary, fringe, telephone/fax, communications, fees and sponsorship line items.
NCA 22-052 A law of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing a lawsuit to be filed in federal court in the name of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation seeking relief on behalf of the Nation and Muscogee citizens against unlawful state taxation within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation and appropriating funds for this action. Rep. Randolph sponsored the bill which passed 2-1 with Golden voting no.
The lawsuit would designate $500,000 to file against the Oklahoma Tax Commission on the behalf of Muscogee (Creek) citizens. The suit asserts that the State of Oklahoma lacks jurisdiction to assess, levy and collect state taxes upon the income of tribal members who reside and earn income from sources within the Indian Country to which the tribal member belongs.
This comes after the U.S Supreme Court McGirt ruling that MCN reservation lands through various treaties were never disestablished and are still classified as Indian Country lands for the Nation under federal law.
All referred legislation for funding source was passed by the BFJ committee.
During other business, Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprise (GOAB), Muscogee Nation Business Enterprise, Muscogee International LLC and Mvskoke Load Fund provided reports to the committee.
For video of committee meetings visit: www.mcnnc.com.
Does this mean we can get Creek tags now at the same prices that citizens in the boundary have been paying? That would be great news.
It means that citizens of the Muscogee Nation, living in Oklahoma can obtain a car tag even if they live outside of the counties that make up the Muscogee Nation.