Committee approves bill to codify seats for three state‑recognized tribes on DNR advisory council
February 10, 2022 | State Planning & Community Affairs, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Georgia
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Representative Lim introduced House Bill 725 at the State Planning & Community Affairs committee meeting on Feb. 9, 2022, saying the bill would codify current practice to ensure each of Georgia’s three state‑recognized tribes has representation on the council of American Indian concerns under the Department of Natural Resources.
"So by codifying what is already common practice, I hope that we can ensure again that the proper folks from those 3 tribes are at the table," Representative Lim said, describing the measure as a clarification that reflects how the council currently operates.
Lim identified the tribes named in the bill as the Cherokee of Georgia, the Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee and the Lower Muskogee Creek Tribe and said none of them are federally recognized. A speaker who identified themself as a citizen of the Cherokee Nation asked whether the Eastern Cherokee have federal recognition; Lim confirmed that, in the bill as drafted, none of the three tribes hold federal recognition and that some tribes are pursuing that status.
Representative Campbell asked whether the bill would carry any fiscal impact. Lim replied the measure has no fiscal impact and "would not really change some of the common practices," saying the codification is intended to secure representation rather than create a new program.
Representative Anderson moved that the committee give HB 725 a do‑pass recommendation; the motion was seconded and the committee approved the bill by voice vote. The committee recorded the bill as passed out of committee.
The committee did not identify any statutory changes beyond naming the three state‑recognized tribes and directing representation on the existing DNR council. The bill’s sponsor and supporters said the change responds to disputes about who represents tribal interests and aims to ensure consistent access for tribes to state processes. The committee will forward the bill following the committee action taken on Feb. 9.
Ending: HB 725 advanced from committee with a do‑pass recommendation; additional legislative steps will follow in the General Assembly.
"So by codifying what is already common practice, I hope that we can ensure again that the proper folks from those 3 tribes are at the table," Representative Lim said, describing the measure as a clarification that reflects how the council currently operates.
Lim identified the tribes named in the bill as the Cherokee of Georgia, the Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee and the Lower Muskogee Creek Tribe and said none of them are federally recognized. A speaker who identified themself as a citizen of the Cherokee Nation asked whether the Eastern Cherokee have federal recognition; Lim confirmed that, in the bill as drafted, none of the three tribes hold federal recognition and that some tribes are pursuing that status.
Representative Campbell asked whether the bill would carry any fiscal impact. Lim replied the measure has no fiscal impact and "would not really change some of the common practices," saying the codification is intended to secure representation rather than create a new program.
Representative Anderson moved that the committee give HB 725 a do‑pass recommendation; the motion was seconded and the committee approved the bill by voice vote. The committee recorded the bill as passed out of committee.
The committee did not identify any statutory changes beyond naming the three state‑recognized tribes and directing representation on the existing DNR council. The bill’s sponsor and supporters said the change responds to disputes about who represents tribal interests and aims to ensure consistent access for tribes to state processes. The committee will forward the bill following the committee action taken on Feb. 9.
Ending: HB 725 advanced from committee with a do‑pass recommendation; additional legislative steps will follow in the General Assembly.
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