NAABIK’IYAT COMMITTEE DEBATING LEGISLATION 0192-13LEGISLATION 0192-13, NATIVE AMERICAN ENERGY ACT.

CHIEF LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL LEVON HENRY
Bill introduced 2012 and made to one committee and latest see on internet is that it died.

DELEGATE DWIGHT WITHERSPOON
H.R. 1548, Native American Energy Act, has been introduced and so perhaps it would be best to move amendments through sponsor. And we should also understand and know the thoughts of congressionla sponosor.

SPEAKER PRO TEMP BATES
We can move to Council as old business during Summer Session and work with Executive Branch on proposed amendments or inform Navajo Washington, D.C. of Delegate Witherspoon’s recommendations on what to do from now to Summer Session.

SPONSOR LEGISLATION 0192-13, DELEGATE PHELPS
Bill before Congress and opportunity to discuss energy and SEction 10 is specifically about Navajo. Advocacy needs to be made with Congress and don’t know if move forward or not. Six months left for 113th Congress so still time. Time is running out. and our advocacy on this bill has been silent. we need to be there. Bill has direct impact on Navajo and amends long time leasing act by increasing up to 100 years. Allows Navajo enter mineral leases on restricted land without Secretary of Interior if not more than 25 years.

DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE
direct impact on Navajo, last page talks about “restricted lands.” so opportunity to talk with Congressman Young about how we are being restricted and present our recommendations that Speaker Pro Temp Bates and appropriate tribal government staff work with Navajo Washington DC office for amendments to H.R. 1548 be drafted for presentation to Council during Summer session.
VOTE 8 in favor, 0 opposed (Naabik’iyati Committee has quorum because two members from each of Four standing committees present)