Okmulgee, Okla. – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council held an Emergency session via teleconference on May 11.
The Council addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 23-053 Respectfully urging the Oklahoma State Legislature to override the vetoes of Oklahoma House Bill 2608 and Senate Bill 429. Representative Mark Randolph sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 12-0.
HB 2608 would require sex offenders registered with tribal authority to also register with the state. SB 429 would allow Native American students enrolled in a public school district, public charter or technology center to wear tribal regalia at their respective graduation ceremony.
The MCN believes the house bill veto should be overridden to share sex-offender information between state and tribal agencies for public safety reasons.
According to the bill, the MCN fully supports Native American students’ right to wear tribal regalia at a public school district, a public charter school, or a technology center graduation.
NCA 23-041 Authorizing the expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act funds received from the United States Department of the Treasury for the Fiscal Relief Funding for the Mvskoke Loan Fund. Rep. Randolph sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 13-0.
The Mvskoke Loan Fund will utilize $757,961 in funds to offset negative economic impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has had on small business.
NCA 23-042 Authorizing expenditure of Fiscal Relief Funding for the benefit of the MCN Community and Human Services Department. Representative Robert Hufft sponsored the legislation, which was postponed until the May 20 Regular Session 13-0.
The funds will provide 2,500 Muscogee children with special needs with a one-time assistance of $1,000. According to the bill, this is due to the fact that their households have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. The total amount of funds expended from this bill is $2,500,000.
NCA 23-043 Authorizing the expenditure of Fiscal Relief Funding for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Education Department. Representative Leonard Gouge sponsored the legislation, which was adopted 13-0.
The funds will provide up to 5,000 Muscogee students and scholars who did not previously receive COVID-19 related assistance for technology assistance in the amount of $850 for technology assistance. The total amount of funds expended from this bill is $4,305,000.
NCA 23-044 Authorizing the expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act funds received from the United States Department of the Treasury for the Fiscal Relief Finding for the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) Project. Representative Joseph Hicks sponsored the legislation, it was co-sponsored by Representative Galen Cloud and Rep. Gouge. The legislation was adopted 13-0.
Funding will help continue services through training, job centers, and veteran entities. The total amount of funds expended from this bill is $464,961.
For more information visit www.mcnnc.com.
