HF 1553

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/13/2013 03:04pm

A bill for an act
relating to state government; requiring executive agencies to take certain actions
to guide interactions with sovereign tribal nations in Minnesota; proposing
coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 1.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [1.06] STATE-TRIBAL RELATIONSHIPS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Recognition. new text end

new text begin Executive branch agencies and employees shall
recognize the unique legal relationship between the state of Minnesota and Indian tribes,
shall respect the fundamental principles that establish and maintain this relationship,
and shall accord tribal governments the same respect accorded to other governments.
Subdivisions 2 and 3 apply to executive branch agencies whose official duties have
potential to affect a tribal community or its members.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Consultation policies. new text end

new text begin Each executive branch agency subject to this
subdivision must develop and implement tribal consultation policies to guide the agency's
work and interaction with the 11 sovereign tribal nations in Minnesota. Consultation
requires that executive branch agencies seek input from elected or appointed tribal officials
before undertaking any action or policy that will have, or is reasonably believed to have,
the potential to affect a tribal community or its members. Executive branch agencies must
consider the input generated from tribal consultation in their decision-making processes.
Each executive branch agency must designate an employee to assume responsibility for
the agency's implementation of its tribal consultation policies and to act as the principal
point of contact for tribal issues. Each agency must review its tribal consultation policies
each year and report to the governor and the legislature, in the manner specified in section
3.195, describing all action undertaken as a result of the implementation of the policies.
Copies of the annual reports shall be provided to the Indian Affairs Council, which must
make them available to Minnesota's tribal leaders.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Training. new text end

new text begin Each executive branch agency subject to this subdivision must
train all of its employees that work with Indian people, Indian land, or tribal governments
in an effort to empower state employees with the knowledge needed to better perform
their jobs, provide greater efficiencies in state government, provide lasting solutions
to long-term problems, create partnerships on a wide variety of projects, build better
relationships with tribes, and avoid conflicts.
new text end