Committee tables bill to amend addresses for state‑recognized tribes after contested testimony

The State Planning & Community Affairs committee on July 15 heard more than an hour of testimony on HB43 (LC442156), a bill that would update the codified addresses and membership language for state‑recognized tribes in Georgia. Representative Marvin Lim presented the bill as a measure to ensure each state‑recognized tribe has representation on the Council on American Indian Concerns and to update mailing addresses in state code.

Richard Botts, introduced as chairman of the Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee, told the committee the bill would change his tribe's legally codified address without the tribe's consent and said the effect could be severe. "In essence, this bill is termination," Botts said, arguing that changing the address would cut the tribe off from federal programs, grants and services the tribe currently accesses through its PO Box 1993.

Several other witnesses representing the group that uses PO Box 1993 echoed Botts. Wallace Seabolt, who said he sits on the tribe's council, said documents submitted to the committee show long historical record‑keeping and a federal trademark/USPTO filing for the tribal name and address. Johnny Chattin offered an alternate draft that would retain PO Box 1993 for the Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee while allowing an additional entry for a Chickamauga Nation, saying that approach would avoid terminating the group currently listed in code.

Donald Kirkland, vice chair of the Georgia Council on American Indian Concerns, told the committee the council's role is advisory and that the legislature — not the council — formally recognizes tribes. "That is not our responsibility," Kirkland said, describing a prior 130‑page study the council provided to the legislature and noting the dispute has been ongoing for decades.

Committee members sought factual clarifications during testimony, including who requested the PO box change and whether the post office signature block for PO Box 1323 had been independently verified. Witnesses said the tribe had not confirmed the post office's current signature or custody of the disputed box, and Kirkland said the council had relied on sworn statements and past records in its review.

Given the lingering disputes over names, addresses and which entity legitimately controls certain PO boxes, Representative McLean moved to table HB43 and asked for work on possible amendments or a separate bill to add a fourth state‑recognized tribe. The motion to table was seconded and the chair announced the motion carried; the committee then moved on to other business.

What happens next: Committee members directed parties to pursue a clearer record (including postal custody and documentary evidence) and to consider separate or amended legislation to add a tribe rather than overwrite an existing codified address. The committee did not vote on the substance of HB43; the item was tabled pending further work.