Oklahoma § 74-1207 - Oklahoma Native American Liaison

§ 74-1207. Oklahoma Native American Liaison

A. The State of Oklahoma recognizes the status of the federally

recognized tribal governments residing in the geographical

boundaries of the state as sovereign nations and the state

recognizes the need for further cooperation between the state and

the tribes and their citizens and the importance of the governmentto-government relationship between the state and the tribes.

B. There is hereby created the position of Oklahoma Native

American Liaison who shall be appointed by the Governor. The

Oklahoma Native American Liaison may also serve as the Secretary of

Native American Affairs or a successor cabinet position and shall

have jurisdictional areas of responsibility related to Native

American issues and state and tribal relations. The first Oklahoma

Native American Liaison shall be appointed no later than December 1,

2012.

C. Any person appointed to the position of Oklahoma Native

American Liaison shall be a member or citizen of a federally

recognized American Indian tribe or nation that has its primary

tribal headquarters located in Oklahoma and shall have valid proof

of membership or citizenship.

D. The salary and any other expenses for the Oklahoma Native

American Liaison shall be budgeted as a separate line item through

the Governor. The Governor shall provide adequate office space,

equipment and support necessary to enable the Oklahoma Native

American Liaison to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the

position.

E. The Oklahoma Native American Liaison shall:

1. Have the powers and duties over Native American issues and

state and tribal relation areas designated to the position by the

Governor;

2. Monitor all compacts, including gaming, tobacco, and motor

vehicle fuel compacts, entered into by the state and political

subdivisions with federally recognized Indian tribal governments

within this state;

3. Coordinate with the Office of Tribal Relations within the

Oklahoma Historical Society on the gathering, preserving and

maintaining of all compacts and agreements between federally

recognized Indian tribal governments and the state and political

subdivisions and all related records, documents and materials;

4. Monitor state agency consultation policies with tribal

governments;

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 74. State Government

5. Monitor the interactions of state agencies with tribal

governments;

6. Provide coordination between tribes and state agencies for

any activities of the state agency that will directly affect tribal

governments or their property;

7. Inform tribes about ongoing or proposed state programs that

will affect tribal governments or their property;

8. Coordinate with tribal governments to determine priorities

of interest for possible cooperation between the various agencies

and the tribal governments;

9. Inform tribes on funding opportunities through partnerships

with state agencies to address locally determined priorities of

interest agreed to by both the state and tribal governments;

10. Ensure continuing outreach to tribes and shall establish

and maintain relationships with tribes and tribal organizations; and

11. Make an annual report on the interaction between the state

and state agencies and tribal governments and shall submit the

report to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives,

and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

Added by Laws 2011, c. 305, § 2. Amended by Laws 2012, c. 299, § 1.