House of Representatives

SB 1113

Indian nations; tribes; legislative day

Sponsors: Senator Cirillo

DPA	Committee on Native American Affairs
X	Committee on Native American Affairs (Re-referred)
	Caucus and COW
	Third Read
	As Passed the House

SB 1113 authorizes the Arizona Commission on Indian Affairs (ACIA) in cooperation with representatives of the 21 Native American tribes to annually plan the Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day.

A strike everything amendment to SB 1113 will be offered in the Native American Affairs Committee.

History

The Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs 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.

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. 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 Joint Legislative Budget Committee.

Current Law (A.R.S. § 41-1108) requires the Legislature to observe the first Thursday of each regular legislative session as Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day. The authority to organize and plan the Indian Nations Legislative Day currently belongs to the Legislature.

Provisions of the proposed strike everything amendment

· Requires ACIA to assist urban Native Americans.

· Defines the term urban Indian.

· Authorizes the ACIA in cooperation with representatives from the Native American Nations to annually plan the Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative on the Tuesday of the second week of each regular legislative session.

· Requires the ACIA to schedule the activities and discussions between the state and Native American nation leaders.

· Stipulates that the ACIA shall invite the Legislature, the Governor and other elected officials for the purpose of paying tribute to Native American people and their culture and contribution to the diversity of the United States.

· Specifies that the Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day is not a legal holiday.

· Repeals current statute that authorizes the Legislature to facilitate the Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day.

· 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.

· Requires ACIA to deposit all fees collected from this activity in this fund and to annually account to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee for its use of the monies in the fund.

· Allows ACIA to expend no more than $15,000 of the monies in the fund each fiscal year.

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45th Legislature

Second Regular Session 2 April 19, 2002

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