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Committee approves amended task-force bill adding federal Savanna’s Act liaison and emergency clause
Summary
The Government and Veterans Affairs committee approved further amendments to a Senate-amended bill to create a task force. The changes specify legislative membership, add a consultative liaison from the U.S. Department of Justice for coordination on the Savanna’s Act, and add an emergency clause. The motion passed 6-0 in a roll-call vote.
The Government and Veterans Affairs committee voted to adopt further amendments to a Senate-amended bill setting up a task force, adding specific legislative membership language, a consultative federal liaison connected to the Savanna’s Act, and an emergency clause to expedite the panel's start.
The amendments were described in committee as: letter f, which defines membership as four legislative members — two representatives and two senators, including a majority and a minority member — and letter g, directing the task force to consult with and invite a U.S. Department of Justice representative for consultation on implementing the Savanna’s Act. Committee members also requested an emergency clause at the end of the bill so the task force could begin work immediately.
The additions prompted clarifying questions from senators about scope and drafting. Senator Axman confirmed the added membership did not change the fiscal note. Senator Larson asked whether the federal liaison would be a standing member or an invited consultant; staff explained the liaison “executes it in other areas and they know how things are done” and that the liaison meets with tribes annually, so the intent was to invite the DOJ representative for consultations and to help resolve barriers rather than require attendance at every meeting.
Senator Schneider recommended moving the language about inviting a federal liaison out of the membership subsection and into the section listing the task force's primary duties so the liaison would not be treated as a standing member. Committee members agreed with that approach and asked legislative council to reword the subsection for consistency.
Committee staff member Tara moved adoption of the further amendments as described. The motion was seconded (second not specified). The clerk took a roll-call vote: Chair McLeod — yes; Representative Colette Brown — yes; Representative Schneider — yes; Senator Axman — yes; Senator Larson — yes; Senator Powers — yes. The motion passed, 6-0-0.
Committee members also assigned carry responsibilities for the bill: one senator volunteered to carry it on the Senate side, and Representative Colette Brown volunteered to carry it on the other side.
The committee record contains no bill number in the transcript; the amended bill and the specific statutory text to implement the emergency clause were not specified during the recorded discussion.
