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Bill to create a legislative Office on Indian Affairs framed as capacity-building for tribal-state relations
Summary
House Bill 2,435 would create a legislative Office on Indian Affairs to provide training, information, and drafting guidance to legislators and staff to improve government-to-government relations with federally recognized tribes; sponsor Rep. Lekanoff emphasized the Centennial Accord and long-term tribal partnerships.
The committee heard House Bill 2,435, which would establish a legislative Office on Indian Affairs to provide legislators and professional staff with information, training, and resources on tribal affairs, tribal sovereignty, shared terminology, and best practices for policy affecting tribal governments.
Desiree (OPR staff) explained the office’s duties would include annual and continuing education, assistance locating tribal-related resources, coordination with the statute law committee on drafting guidance, and alignment with the Centennial Accord and existing executive- and judicial-branch tribal liaison structures.
Representative Lekanoff, who has served in tribal governmental affairs roles, urged support and framed the office as a way to build capacity for legislators to be informed partners with the state’s 29 federally recognized tribes. "Being an informed decision maker ... provides the opportunity to provide training and support through this office for our staff," Lekanoff said.
No committee vote on final passage appears in the transcript; testimony was closed.
