House of Representatives

HB 2632

Arizona commission of Indian affairs

Sponsors: Representatives Laughter, Clark, Senators Jackson, Petersen et al

DPA	Committee on Native American Affairs
X	Committee on Appropriations
	Caucus and COW
	Third Read
	As Passed the House

HB 2632 establishes the Arizona Indian Town Hall Fund and amends statutes relating to the Arizona Commission on Indian Affairs.

Current Status

HB 2632 was amended in the Native American Affairs Committee to add the chairperson of the Senate Government Committee to be a member of the Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs, and to include the members of the Senate Government Committee in the planning of the Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day.

History

The Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs (ACIA) was created in 1953 to examine conditions among Indians living within the state. The Commission is charged with assembling information needed by tribal, state and federal agencies in order to work together effectively, assisting the state in its responsibilities to tribes and working for a greater understanding between Indians and non-Indians. The Commission also promotes increased participation by Indians in state and local affairs, and assists tribal groups to develop increasingly effective methods of self- government.

ACIA hosts an annual Arizona Indian Town Hall to facilitate discussions between tribal, state, federal and private representatives on issues vital to the Native American community. The Town Hall takes place over a two-day period in May. The first day begins with a general session to provide an overview of the Town Hall process after which participants are assigned to one of four panels. On the second day the panels meet, discuss the prearranged topic and draft reports. In one final session, all four panels meet to discuss their reports and draft a finalized report reflective of the group consensus. The final report is distributed to participants and other interested parties in the state. The report is used in post Town Hall meetings and legislative process workshops in order to direct public policy discussions and guide possible legislation. Current Law enables the Commission to accept and spend fees collected at the annual Indian Town Hall in order to defray expenses relating to this event that exceed the amount appropriated. Establishing an Arizona Indian Town Hall Fund will allow for accounting of the use of the monies in the fund to the Department of Administration.

Provisions

· Adds the chairperson of the House of Representatives Native American Affairs Committee or its successor to be a member of the Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs (ACIA).

· Requires that a person with expertise in economic or community development to be member of ACIA.

· Reduces the number of members of Native American Tribes that are appointed by the Governor to be members of ACIA from seven to six.

· Requires that ACIA shall meet in the first month of each quarter.

· Establishes the Arizona Indian Town Hall Fund consisting of monies collected at Indian Town Halls as fees that are intended to defray administrative costs related to these Town Halls.

· States that ACIA shall deposit all fees collected from this activity in this fund and shall annually account to the Department of Administration for its use of the monies in the fund.

· Exempts monies in the fund of ten thousand dollars or less from lapsing.

· Provides that the Legislature shall observe the Indian Nations Legislative Day during the Tuesday of the second week of each regular legislative session.

· Authorizes ACIA in cooperation with the members of the House Native American Affairs Committee and one representative from each of the 21 nations or tribes to plan the Indian Nations Legislative Day.

· Stipulates that the agenda shall be agreed on by a majority vote of the planning committee and the final agenda shall be submitted to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives one month before the Indian Nations Legislative Day.

· Authorizes the planning committee to schedule activities and to invite Native American leaders and other elected officials to the Indian Nations Legislative Day.

· Makes conforming changes.

Amendment

HB 2632 was amended in the Native American Affairs Committee as follows:

· Adds the chairperson of the Senate Government Committee to be a member of the Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs.

· Includes the members of the Senate Government Committee in the planning of the Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day.

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45th Legislature

Second Regular Session 2 February 14, 2002

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