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 government-to-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;
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.