
In his last year as a
state representative, Hale continues to address the needs of his district and
indigenous communities in Arizona.
“I am honored that I
have the opportunity to serve my community at the Legislature. There comes a
time when we must make way for new ideas and new energy, which is why I am not
seeking re-election. I will continue to work for our people until the end of my
term. I am looking forward to working with my colleagues and constituents on
these important issues, and I am grateful for their continued support,” Hale
said.
Hale introduced a number
of bills this year intended to reinforce the sovereign status of Native American
nations and to recognize the contributions Native American nations have made to
the state. A summary of the bills is below:
HB 2311 – tribal colleges; expenditure limitation;
exemption
Exempts community
colleges that are owned, operated, or chartered by Indian tribes from
expenditure limitations.
HB 2312 – advisory council; Indian health
care
Reorganizes the Arizona
advisory council on Indian health care to add greater representation and to
better serve the indigenous communities.
HB 2313 – Indian tribes; JTED
expenses
Provides funding for the
operation, maintenance, renewal and capital expenses of the Northeast Arizona
Technological Institute of Vocational Education District, the only Joint
Technical Education District in an Indian Nation. JTEDs provide career and
technical education for native students.
HB 2314 – appropriation; Navajo nation court
complex
Allocates $7.5 million
to help build a Supreme Court Complex on the Navajo Nation. The entire
construction project is expected to cost about $15 million, and the Navajo
Nation is expected to contribute the other $7.5 million.
HB 2315 – TPT; Indian tribes; motor
vehicles
Allows enrolled members
of Indian Nations to qualify for vehicle sales tax exemptions when they purchase
a vehicle even if they reside within the boundaries of an Indian Nation where
they are not enrolled.
HB 2316 – appropriation; water projects; Navajo nation
Appropriates $3.4
million from the state general fund to the Navajo Nation for planning and
developing water supply and infrastructure projects. These projects are crucial
to support community growth and economic development on Native American
land.
HB 2317 – state transportation board; tribal representation
Requires the State
Transportation Board to include a representative from an Indian Nation. The
board is responsible for planning for the transportation needs of the state. The
population of the 22 federally recognized Indian nations in Arizona exceeds
250,000. These Indian nations have unique transportation needs that are not
currently being met.
HB 2318 – central Arizona project board;
membership
Requires that the CAP
board of directors include one non-voting member, who is a tribal elected
official, to ensure Indian nations are included in discussions about CAP
Colorado River water use. The member would be appointed by the governor and
selected from a list of three nominees. The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona
would be responsible for identifying two nominees, and the Navajo Nation would
be responsible for the third nominee. These Indian nations should have a seat at
the table for discussions regarding water availability and use.
HB 2319 – Indian tribes; TPT revenues
Allocates Transaction
Privilege Tax money, or sales tax, back to the Native American lands where it
was collected. These funds would be used for infrastructure and community
development, including telecommunication infrastructure development and roads on
Indian reservations. Currently, TPT money is collected from businesses not owned
by enrolled members operating on Native American lands. The tax money is
distributed to the state, counties and municipalities incorporated under state
law. Indian nations are not included in this distribution formula. Native
American nations would be authorized to use the TPT money as collateral to fund
projects.
HCM 2005 – veterans’ homes; tribal lands
Asks Congress to enact
legislation that would allow construction reimbursement and per diem payments
for veterans nursing care homes built on Native American nation lands. Current
federal law provides for a 65 percent construction reimbursement and per diem
payments to veterans nursing care homes built on land owned by states,
territories or land the U.S. possesses. Veteran homes built on Native American
nation lands are not eligible for the reimbursement and per diem
payments.
“Although this will be
my last session in the Arizona House of Representatives, my commitment to the
community is unwavering. I look forward to working with my colleagues on these
priorities,” Hale said.
******************************************************************************
Rep. Hale is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation. He
was born in Ganado and raised in Klagetoh, Arizona. He is Ashiihi (Salt), born
for Todichiini (Bitter Water). His maternal grandparents are Hanaghani (Walk
About clan). His paternal grandparents are Kiyanii (Tall House clan). He is a
1969 graduate of Fort Wingate High School, a Bureau of Indian Affairs boarding
school located east of Gallup, New Mexico. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree
from Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona (1973), and a Juris Doctor degree
from the University of New Mexico School of Law, Albuquerque, New Mexico
(1977), and an honorary Juris Doctor
degree from Phoenix School of Law (2012). He is the former President of the
Navajo Nation.
-30-
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments are moderated, and will appear after approval..Anonymous comments will not be approved.