FIFTY-EIGHTH WYOMING LEGISLATURE

APPROVED INTERIM COMMITTEE STUDIES

2005 INTERIM

SELECT COMMITTEE ON TRIBAL RELATIONS

Initial Approved Budget: $6,000

Topic #1: Sovereignty and governmental issues.

(a) Tribal Liaison Positions:  The Committee will be working with the business council of the Eastern Shoshone Indian Tribe and the business council of the Northern Arapaho Indian Tribe to submit names to the Governor for the two (2) tribal liaison positions authorized by 2005 Senate Enrolled Act 57.

(b) Sovereignty:  The Committee will be working with the two tribal liaisons to develop immediate action plans and a long-term state-tribal policy as provided under 2005 Senate Enrolled Act 57.  The Committee will consider tribal accords from various states in developing the long-term policy and will consider any education necessary to address the sovereignty issue.

(c) Gambling:  The Committee will continue to follow the gambling issue as it progresses through the federal court system.

Topic #2: Services issues.

 (a)        Indian Health Issues:  Indian health issues are a major concern to the tribes.  The Committee heard testimony last interim regarding several health issues on the reservation.  The Committee will again consider this issue and will include this topic at the Tribal Summit.

(b)         Educational Issues:  Various educational issues are continuing concerns for the tribes, including funding for St. Stephens school.  The Committee will take testimony and consider any legislation the Committee deems necessary.

Topic #3: Water issues.

(a) Water Projects:  The legislature has approved funding for projects but there has not been an appropriate legal entity to apply for the funding.  With the passage of 2005 Senate Enrolled Act 50, the business council of the Eastern Shoshone Indian Tribe and the business council of the Northern Arapaho Indian Tribe can now apply for funding of water projects.

(b) Conservation/Improvement District:  The Northern Arapaho Indian Tribe are exploring the possibility of establishing a conservation/improvement district and will consider storage and irrigation delivery systems.  The Committee will work with the appropriate tribal representatives to facilitate this development. 

Topic #4: Conferences and meetings.

(a)        1.         Tribal Summit, Riverton, WY.

2.            Congressional meeting, Washington, DC.

3.           WGA Summit on Indian Gaming, Denver, CO.

4.           NIEA Annual Conference, Denver, CO.

5.            National Congress of American Indians.

(b) The Committee will organize a Tribal Summit for this fall.  The purpose of the Tribal Summit would be for state legislators and state agencies to meet with their tribal counterparts in a two-day summit to be held on or near the reservation.  The Tribal Summit would allow the exchange of information and facilitate working relationships between representatives of the state and the tribes.  The Tribal Summit would be open to the public and all legislators would be invited.  The Committee will coordinate a meeting with various tribal officials to discuss topics of interest, including health, education and water issues.

(c) Requests for authorization for Committee members to attend the referenced meetings and conferences will be submitted to the presiding officers of the House and Senate for consideration.