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Sponsor calls for candidate citizenship disclosure; tribal representatives warn it could discriminate
Summary
Representative Lucas Schubert asked lawmakers to require candidates to disclose citizenship in other countries. Opponents said the bill could single out Native Americans with cross-border citizenship under the Jay Treaty and urged caution or amendment.
Representative Lucas Schubert presented House Bill 479, a proposal to add a question on nomination forms asking candidates whether they hold citizenship in any nation other than the United States (with an exemption for federally recognized tribal citizenship) and to require publication of that information by the Secretary of State.
Schubert framed the bill as a transparency measure for elected officials, drawing an analogy to other disclosures already required of candidates. He said it is not intended to bar candidacy and that he would accept amendments (for example, exempting local governments) if the committee preferred.
Patrick Yawake testified in opposition, saying HB 479 would discriminate against American Indians with dual citizenship under the Jay Treaty with Canada, a status available to many tribal members. Yawake asked the committee to oppose the bill with a 'do not pass.'
Committee members probed whether the bill had practical, current cases to address and whether it risked discriminatory effects. Schubert said he had heard of at least one person with dual citizenship who opposed the bill but stressed the proposal applies to all candidates and is intended only as additional disclosure.
The hearing concluded with the sponsor offering to consider amendments and no formal action recorded.
