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Representative Lim asks committee to advance HB 43 to preserve tribal representation on council
Summary
Representative Lim told the State Planning & Community Affairs committee that HB 43 would guarantee at least one member from each state-recognized tribe on the Council on American Indian Concerns and update tribal contact addresses; the committee advanced the bill to Rules by voice vote.
Representative Lim urged the State Planning & Community Affairs committee to advance bipartisan HB 43, saying the bill ensures the Council on American Indian Concerns will "always have representation by at least one member from each of our state-recognized tribes." The sponsor described the measure (LC 442156) as both a membership and contact-information update intended to respect currently recognized tribal entities while preserving a process for other groups seeking recognition.
Lim told the committee there has been "some disagreement" historically over tribal claims and urged that debate be handled respectfully. He cited evidence gathered by Department of Natural Resources staff, mentioned Representative Will Wade as having worked with the local groups, and asked the committee to "pass HB 43 as is to respect the groups" that the state currently recognizes. The transcript records Lim asking the committee to pass the bill; it also notes Lim referenced materials on members' desks and DNR staff testimony as supporting documents.
The committee handled a procedural motion and then considered the bill. The chairwoman called for a motion and a second; the transcript records a voice vote in favor and the chair instructed Representative Lim to proceed to the Rules committee with paperwork, indicating the bill was advanced. The record does not show a roll-call tally or the names of the motion mover and seconder for the final advancement.
The bill, as described in the sponsor's presentation, would (1) require council membership include at least one representative from each state-recognized tribe mentioned in the presentation and (2) update contact addresses for those tribes to ensure they are reachable for official notices. Representative Lim emphasized the change is intended to respect groups currently recognized by the state while not foreclosing the existing recognition process for other groups seeking status.
Next steps: the chair directed Representative Lim to take the bill to Rules. No additional committee votes or amendments on the bill were recorded in the provided transcript.
