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MINUTES OF THE

NATIVE AMERICAN LEGISLATIVE LIAISON COMMITTEE

Thursday, October 22, 1998 - 9:00 a.m. - Room 405 State Capitol


Members Present:
    Sen. Alarik Myrin, Cochair
    Rep. M. Keele Johnson, Cochair
    Sen. R. Mont Evans
    Sen. Millie M. Peterson
    Sen. Pete Suazo
    Rep. Eli H. Anderson
    Rep. Judy Ann Buffmire
    Rep. Beverly A. Evans
    Rep. James R. Gowans
    



Members Excused:
     Rep. Jordan Tanner
    Rep. John L. Valentine

Staff Present:
    Mr. John Q. Cannon,
         Research Analyst
    Ms. Patricia Owen,
         Associate General Counsel
    Ms. Vanessa Thompson,
         Legislative Secretary

Note:    A list of others present and a copy of materials distributed in the meeting are on file in the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel.

1.    Call to Order - Chair Myrin called the meeting to order at 9:15 a.m.

2.    Committee Business -

    MOTION: Rep. Judy Ann Buffmire moved to approve the minutes of the September 23, 1998 meeting. The motion passed unanimously, with Sen. Evans and Rep. Evans absent for the vote.

    Sen. Myrin invited John Harja, Governor's Office of Planning and Budget, to brief the committee concerning issues in the Uintah Basin, including criminal jurisdiction and cross- deputization issues within the exterior boundaries of the Ute Reservation.

    Mr. Ron Wopsock, Business Committee Chairman, Ute Indian Tribe, spoke to the committee regarding ongoing discussions in the Uintah Basin.

3.    Navajo Revitalization Fund - Mr. Harja briefed the committee regarding the Navajo Revitalization Fund. He referred to a handout entitled "Navajo Revitalization Fund Legislative Report October 1998."

    Committee discussion followed.

4. Uintah Basin Revitalization Fund-Mr. Harja explained the Uintah Basin Revitalization

Fund. He referred to the handout entitled "Uintah Basin Revitalization Fund Legislative Report October 1998."

    Mr. Wopsock explained the benefits of the Revitalization Fund for the Uintah Basin. He referred to a booklet given to the committee entitled "Uintah Basin Revitalization Project 1998, Ute Indian Tribe."

5.     Division of Indian Affairs Review - Mr. Cannon referred to draft legislation and a summary of comments by the Utah Tribal Leaders both titled, "Division of Indian Affairs Amendments." Forrest Cuch, Director, Division of Indian Affairs, reviewed his meeting with Utah Tribal leaders and their suggestions for proposed changes to the Division of Indian Affairs draft legislation. Committee review and discussion of the summary followed.
    
    Forrest Cuch discussed a handout titled, "Status in the Statehouse."
    
    The following motions were taken concerning the draft legislation.

     MOTION: Sen. Suazo moved that on page 2 line 1, the committee include Utah in the name of the Division of Indian Affairs, making it Utah Division of Indian Affairs, and that this change be made throughout the bill. The motion passed unanimously, with Sen. Evans and Rep. Buffmire absent for the vote.

     MOTION: Sen. Peterson moved that on page 2 line 6, the committee include federal agencies and have intent language to clarify "Indian groups." The motion passed unanimously, with Sen Evans and Rep. Buffmire absent for the vote.

    MOTION: Rep. Evans moved that on page 3 line 20, Mr. Cuch work on language to reflect tribal leaders desire to allow for elected officials or designees to represent the tribes. The motion passed unanimously, with Sen. Peterson and Rep. Buffmire absent for the vote.          
     MOTION: Rep. Gowans moved that on page 3 line 22, the committee delete "organize" and insert "coordinate." The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Peterson and Rep. Buffmire absent for the vote.

     MOTION: Rep. Evans moved that on page 4 lines 10-11 be deleted. The motion passed unanimously, with Sen. Peterson and Rep. Buffmire absent for the vote.

     MOTION: Rep. Evans moved that on page 4 lines 12-13 be left as is. The motion passed, with Sen. Evans voting in opposition, and Sen. Peterson and Rep. Buffmire absent for the vote.

     MOTION: Sen. Suazo moved that the Tribal Leaders recommendation amending section 9-9-105 to include tribal representation be incorporated into intent language. The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Peterson and Rep. Buffmire absent for the vote.

6.    Native American Remains - This issue was not heard at this meeting.

7.    Adjourn-
            The meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m.

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