Committee approves bill to codify representation for Georgia’s state-recognized tribes

The State Planning & Community Affairs Committee on Feb. 9 approved HB 725 (LC 441717), a bill that codifies representation for Georgia’s three state-recognized American Indian tribes on the Council of American Indian Concerns at the Department of Natural Resources. Representative Lim, who introduced the measure, said the change simply formalizes existing practice to ensure the Cherokee of Georgia, the Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee and the Lower Muskogee Creek Tribe "have representation on our existing council of american indian concerns."

Lim acknowledged disputes over who speaks for some tribal groups and said the bill is meant "to codify what is already common practice" and to reduce ambiguity about membership on the council. A committee member who identified as a citizen of the Cherokee Nation asked whether any of the named tribes had federal recognition; Lim replied that "none of these tribes are federally recognized" and said some groups are pursuing recognition while others have chosen not to. Representative Campbell asked whether the bill had any fiscal impact; committee supporters said there was none and that the measure would not change the governor’s authority over spending.

Representative Anderson moved a "do pass" motion; the motion was seconded and the committee voted to pass HB 725. The committee recorded the bill as passed and scheduled no further action in this meeting.