State-tribal relations panel sets June, October interim meetings; education, MMIP, gaming and bison listed as priorities

Chairman Posey opened the select committee on state-tribal relations and said members would focus this interim on proposed topics including gaming and historic horse racing, education and a possible state-tribal policy framework.

"We're talking this morning about proposed interim topics for the state tribal relations committee," Posey said as the committee confirmed a quorum. Representative Johnson had requested consideration of gaming and HHR taxes, a topic members debated as potentially outside tribal gaming jurisdiction and relevant to problem gambling protections.

Co-chairman Case and other members recommended studying a formal policy framework along the lines of the Washington Accord, which Case said emphasizes process and mutual recognition. "The strongest one I read as of late is probably the Washington accord," Case said, adding the accord recognizes tribal sovereignty while structuring how state and tribal officials meet and work together.

Senator Barlow urged the committee to start with an overview of that Washington framework and, if useful, invite someone from Washington to explain how it operates. "It's not about the outcome," Barlow said; "it's about making sure the right people are in place to have the conversations."

Public commenters and tribal liaisons urged the committee to prioritize education, Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP), solid waste, and health-care facility needs. Clint Wagon, identified in the meeting as a councilman, pressed for renewed emphasis on basic classroom skills and vocational pathways, recommending trade training and even an ROTC option for reservation schools. "I think, you know, 1 of the things ... an ROTC program on the reservation schools ... would be also another option," Wagon said.

Anita Roman, introduced as the Northern Arapaho liaison, said she had consulted her council and asked the committee to revisit penalties for adults who provide alcohol to minors, continue MMIP and solid-waste discussions, and maintain communication between the state and tribal governments. "I never speak for the Northern Arapaho tribe, but I speak with them," Roman told the committee, and she urged stronger enforcement or higher fines for adults who supply alcohol to minors.

James Sarles, who identified himself as a tribal liaison to the Eastern Shoshone in the governor's office, echoed those priorities and emphasized collaboration on health care facilities and finance: tribal health CFOs are reportedly working together to improve services, he said, and some clinic facilities are very old. "MMIP is always a major one," Sarles said.

Representatives also discussed a practical wildlife-management proposal raised at the meeting: designating bison as wildlife in limited geographic areas to give tribes and neighboring landowners clearer tools for addressing bison trespass and related conflicts. Case suggested a geographically bounded designation—rather than a statewide policy—could help both tribes and private landowners manage the animals.

The committee set interim meeting dates for June and October and recommended hosting both meetings at Central Wyoming College as neutral, better-equipped locations; members also proposed pairing meetings with cultural or student-engagement events, such as a Native American Summer Institute visit or a buffalo tour.

There were no formal motions or roll-call votes during the meeting; staff were asked to draft a planning outline for the interim schedule and circulate it to members. Co-chair Case closed the meeting by thanking participants for the discussion and saying staff would share a draft plan for committee review.