OKMULGEE, Okla. – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council held the monthly Business, Finance and Justice Committee session at the Mound Building on Oct. 12.
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 23-108 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a legal services contract between the MCN and Kanji & Katzen, P.L.L.C. Representative Randall Hicks sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
MCN has selected the law firm to provide outside legal counsel services for the Nation.
TR 23-109 Establishing tribal membership in the National Congress of American Indians. Speaker William Lowe sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
Funds in the amount of $30,000 will be paid in dues based on tribal membership status of 100,385 Muscogee (Creek) citizens.
NCA 23-124 Authorizing the expenditure of the Department of Justice, Office Of Justice Programs Support for the Adam Walsh Act Implementation Grant Program for the benefit of the MCN Lighthorse Department. Rep. Randall Hicks sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
According to the bill, grant funds of $372,528 will expand and enhance the LPD Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act Program into a sustainable resource that will meet the needs of the Nation. It will also address the issues of sex offenders not registering when entering tribal property, and reach MCN citizens, other Native Americans and the general public.
NCA 23-125 Authorizing a lawsuit to be filed in federal court in the name of the MCN seeking declaratory and injunctive relief against the City of Tulsa exercising unlawful jurisdiction within the boundaries of the MCN Reservation and appropriating funds for the action. Rep. Randall Hicks sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
According to the bill, the MCN National Council finds that it is in its best interest to initiate formal legal action against the City of Tulsa to prohibit the city from exercising jurisdiction for criminal offenses including traffic violations. Funds in the amount of $500,000 have been appropriated.
NCA 23-126 Authorizing the expenditure of funds for the MCN LPD for the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services 2023 Cops Office Tribal Resources Program – Equipment and Training. Rep. Randall Hicks sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
Grant funds of $899,537 will be used for two employees to travel to the required CTAS New Grantee Orientation Training and purchase 13 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe pursuit vehicles with accessory packages.
NCA 23-127 Authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Internal Revenue Service for the benefit of the Office of the Secretary of the Nation. Rep. Randall Hicks sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
Grant funds of $2,300 will be used to provide assistance in preparing income tax for individuals 60 and older in accordance with the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) grant.
NCA 23-128 Authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Internal Revenue Service Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program for the benefit of the Office of the Secretary of the Nation. Rep. Randall Hicks sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
Grant funds of $15,000 will be used to provide assistance in preparing income tax for individuals 59 and younger in accordance with the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Grant.
NCA 23-129 Appropriating funds to the MCN Office of the Attorney General to host the Justice of the Reservation Conference Event. Representative Joseph Hicks sponsored the legislation, which passed 3-1.
The AG is requesting $45,200 to host the event Feb. 26-27 at the River Spirit Casino and Resort in Tulsa, Okla.
The conference will provide training to LHPD officers, investigators, cross-deputized agencies and prosecutors throughout the Mvskoke Reservation on best practices regarding child abuse and sexual assault cases.
NCA 23-130 Amending MCNCA Title 26, Chapter 2, 2-201. E, Entitled “Compensation”. Representative Thomasene Yahola Osborn sponsored the legislation, which was postponed until the next BFJ meeting, 4-0.
The MCN District Court is requesting compensation for the increased workload of the MCN District Court Chief Judge and each district trial judge.
The committee responded to the request with a formal written explanation for justification purposes.
NCA 23-132 Appropriating funds to the Office of the Attorney General to be used for a comprehensive update to the MCN Code Annotated Print and Electronic Version. Representative Mark Randolph sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
Funds of $110,000 will be used toward the “Comprehensive Legal Resource Update Project” to update the MCN Code since its last update in 2010.
Other Business:
The Committee went into Executive Discussion to discuss the MNGE, Muscogee Nation Business Enterprise and the Muscogee International, LLC.
To view the full agenda, visit: mcnnc.com.
On Oct. 5, 2023, a federal grand jury returned a 23‑count indictment against Ari J. Lauer, 59, of Lafayette, charging him with conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud, bank fraud, and wire fraud affecting a financial institution, for his role in the biggest criminal fraud scheme in the history of the Eastern District of California, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
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