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Rules committee approves hospital trust transfer resolution, passes press amendment; tables criminal code changes
Summary
The Cherokee Nation Rules Committee on May 29 approved a resolution to authorize transfer of Claremore Indian Hospital property to the United States in trust for the Cherokee Nation, passed an amendment to the Nation's press statute, and tabled proposed amendments to the criminal code for one month.
The Cherokee Nation Rules Committee voted May 29 to authorize a resolution asking the U.S. Department of the Interior and Indian Health Service to transfer title of the Claremore Indian Hospital property to the United States in trust for the Cherokee Nation; the committee also approved amendments to Title 44 of the Cherokee Nation Code related to a free and independent press and voted to table proposed amendments to Title 21 (crimes and punishments) for one month.
The Claremore Indian Hospital resolution was moved into committee by a deputy and seconded; during discussion Councilman Joe Dear asked whether the tribe would still be obligated to take over the hospital if the resolution failed. The deputy responded, "No. We're not? No." Attorney General Chad Harsha clarified the resolution's role in a larger acquisition process, saying, "this resolution is is part of a multi step of what of what would require certain actions to be taken after it was passed for land, the title of which to transfer to the Cherokee Nation." The committee voted in favor; the clerk reported one abstention.
The committee also advanced an act amending Title 44, Chapter 1, Section 6(f) of the Cherokee Nation Code ("Free and Independent Press -- 2025 amendments"). Councilmember McGaty moved the amendment and it passed on voice vote.
Separately, members voted to table proposed amendments to Title 21 (crimes and punishments) until the June rules meeting. The motion to table was made during new business and carried on voice vote.
Votes at a glance: - Resolution authorizing the U.S. Department of the Interior and Indian Health Service to transfer title of the Claremore Indian Hospital property to the United States in trust for the Cherokee Nation: Motion carried; one abstention reported. (Motion introduced by a deputy; second not recorded by name.) - Act amending Title 44, Chapter 1, Section 6(f) (Free and Independent Press '125 amendments): Motion carried on voice vote. (Moved by Councilmember McGaty.) - Act amending Title 21 (Crimes and Punishments): Motion to table carried; item deferred to the June rules meeting.
The committee did not provide formal roll-call vote tallies for the Claremore resolution or the Title 44 amendment in the meeting transcript beyond the chair's voice call; the clerk noted one abstention on the hospital resolution. Recorded discussion shows committee members asked for clarifications about the legal effect of the resolutions and the multi-step acquisition process for the hospital property. The attorney general and staff indicated the resolution is one step among several required actions but does not by itself create an absolute, irrevocable obligation for the Cherokee Nation.
The committee scheduled its next tentative meeting for Thursday, June 26 at 1 p.m.
