Session of 2000
         
HOUSE BILL No. 2845
         
By Committee on Federal and State Affairs
         
2-2
         

  9             AN  ACT establishing the Kansas Indian advisory commission; prescrib-
10             ing the powers and duties thereof.
11      
12       Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:
13             Section  1. (a) There is hereby established the Kansas Indian advisory
14       commission. Such commission shall be advisory to the governor.
15             (b) The advisory commission shall consist of 11 members. The mem-
16       bership of the advisory commission shall include:
17             (1) A tribal representative from each of the four resident Kansas In-
18       dian tribes: Pottawatomie, Kickapoo, Iowa and Sac and Fox. Such mem-
19       bers shall be selected by the governing body of the respective tribe;
20             (2) one member appointed by the governor who is a faculty member
21       of Haskell Indian Nations university;
22             (3) one member appointed by the governor who has been recom-
23       mended by the nonreservation Indian coalition to represent the urban
24       Native American Indian communities is located in the eastern half of the
25       state;
26             (4) one member appointed by the governor who has been recom-
27       mended by the nonreservation Indian coalition to represent the urban
28       Native American communities located in the western half of the state;
29             (5) one senator appointed by the president of the senate and one
30       senator appointed by the minority leader of the senate; and
31             (6) one representative appointed by the speaker of the house of rep-
32       resentatives and one representative appointed by the minority leader of
33       the house of representatives.
34             No more than six members shall be members of the same political
35       party. Appointing authorities shall consult each other to assure effectua-
36       tion of the foregoing requirement. A person appointed to fill a vacancy
37       which occurs prior to the expiration of a term shall be appointed for the
38       unexpired term. Except as provided by this subsection, each member of
39       the commission shall be appointed for a two-year term. Members first
40       appointed pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection shall be
41       appointed for a term of one year. Thereafter, any member appointed
42       pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be appointed for a term of two
43       years.


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  1             (c) The advisory commission shall organize annually by the election
  2       from its membership of a chairperson, vice-chairperson and a secretary.
  3       The advisory commission may adopt such rules and regulations of pro-
  4       cedure as the commission deems necessary for the conduct of business.
  5             (d) The advisory commission shall meet at least four times a year and
  6       on the call of the chairperson. Six members shall constitute a quorum.
  7             (e) Members of the advisory commission attending meetings of such
  8       commission shall be paid amounts provided in subsection (e) of K.S.A.
  9       75-3223, and amendments thereto.
10             Sec.  2. The advisory commission shall:
11             (a) Coordinate intergovernmental dealings between Native American
12       Indian tribal governments and this state;
13             (b) investigate the needs of Native American Indians in this state and
14       provide technical assistance in the preparation of plans for the meeting
15       of such needs;
16             (c) cooperate with and secure the assistance of the local, state and
17       federal governments or any agencies thereof in formulating and coordi-
18       nating programs regarding Native American Indian affairs adopted or
19       planned by the federal government so that the full benefit of such pro-
20       grams will accrue to the Native American Indians of this state;
21             (d) review and make recommendations on all proposed or pending
22       legislation affecting Native American Indians in this state;
23             (e) study the existing status of recognition of all Native American
24       Indian groups, tribes and communities presently existing in this state;
25             (f) accept and receive gifts, funds, grants, bequests and contributions
26       for use in furthering the purposes of the commission and to effectuate
27       the purposes of this act;
28             (g) contract with public or private bodies to provide services and fa-
29       cilities for promoting the welfare of the Native American Indians in this
30       state;
31             (h) solicit, receive and expend federal funds to effectuate the pur-
32       poses of this act and enter into contracts and agreements with any federal
33       agency for such purposes;
34             (i) stimulate public awareness of the concerns and problems of Native
35       American Indians by conducting a program of public education;
36             (j) conduct training programs for community leadership and service
37       project staff with each of the resident Kansas Indian tribes; and
38             (k) submit an annual report on the activities of the commission to the
39       governor, the legislature and each of the resident Kansas Indian tribes.
40             Sec.  3. (a) The governor may appoint an executive director of the
41       Kansas Indian advisory commission. The executive director shall be qual-
42       ified by education and experience to assume the responsibilities of the
43       position.


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  1             (b) The executive director shall be the administrative officer of the
  2       advisory commission and shall serve the advisory commission by gathering
  3       information, disseminating findings of fact and other information, for-
  4       warding proposals and evaluations to the governor, the legislature and
  5       various state agencies, carrying out public education programs, conduct-
  6       ing hearings and conferences and performing other duties necessary for
  7       the proper operation of the advisory commission.
  8             (c) The executive director may appoint, subject to the approval of the
  9       advisory commission and the governor, technical advisors and assistants
10       to develop, assist and cooperate with local organizations and associations
11       on Native American Indians.
12        Sec.  4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its
13       publication in the statute book.