
In his
last year as a state representative, Hale continues to address the needs of his
district and indigenous communities in Arizona.
“I am
honored that I have the opportunity to serve my community at the Legislature.
There comes a time when we must make way for new ideas and new energy, which is
why I am not seeking re-election. I will continue to work for our people until
the end of my term. I am looking forward to working with my colleagues and
constituents on these important issues, and I am grateful for their continued
support,” Hale said.
Hale introduced
a number of bills this year intended to reinforce the sovereign status of
Native American nations and to recognize the contributions Native American
nations have made to the state. A summary of the bills is below:
HB 2311 – tribal colleges; expenditure limitation; exemption
Exempts
community colleges that are owned, operated, or chartered by Indian tribes from
expenditure limitations.
HB 2312 – advisory council; Indian health care
Reorganizes
the Arizona Advisory Council on Indian Healthcare to add greater
representation and to better serve the indigenous communities.
HB 2313 – Indian tribes; JTED expenses
Provides funding for the operation, maintenance,
renewal and capital expenses of the Northeast Arizona Technological Institute
of Vocational Education District, the only Joint Technical Education District
in an Indian Nation. JTEDs provide career and technical education for native
students.
HB 2314 – appropriation; Navajo nation court complex
Allocates $7.5 million to help build a
Supreme Court Complex on the Navajo Nation.
The entire construction project is expected to cost about $15 million,
and the Navajo Nation is expected to contribute the other $7.5 million.
HB 2315 – TPT; Indian tribes; motor vehicles
Allows enrolled members of Indian Nations to
qualify for vehicle sales tax exemptions when they purchase a vehicle even if
they reside within the boundaries of an Indian Nation where they are not
enrolled.
HB 2316 – appropriation; water projects; Navajo nation
Appropriates $3.4 million from the state
general fund to the Navajo Nation for planning and developing water supply and
infrastructure projects. These projects
are crucial to support community growth and economic development on Native American
land.
HB 2317 – state transportation board; tribal representation
Requires the State Transportation Board to
include a representative from an Indian Nation. The board is responsible for
planning for the transportation needs of the state. The population of the 22
federally recognized Indian nations in Arizona exceeds 250,000. These Indian
nations have unique transportation needs that are not currently being met.
HB 2318 – central Arizona project board; membership
Requires
that the CAP board of directors include one non-voting member, who is a tribal
elected official, to ensure Indian nations are included in discussions about
CAP Colorado River water use. The member would be appointed by the governor and
selected from a list of three nominees. The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona
would be responsible for identifying two nominees, and the Navajo Nation would
be responsible for the third nominee. These Indian nations should have a seat
at the table for discussions regarding water availability and use.
HB 2319 – Indian tribes; TPT revenues
Allocates Transaction Privilege Tax money, or
sales tax, back to the Native American lands where it was collected. These
funds would be used for infrastructure and community development, including
telecommunication infrastructure development and roads on Indian reservations.
Currently, TPT money is collected from businesses not owned by enrolled members
operating on Native American lands. The tax money is distributed to the state,
counties and municipalities incorporated under state law. Indian nations are
not included in this distribution formula. Native American nations would be authorized to use the TPT money as
collateral to fund projects.
HCM 2005 – veterans’ homes; tribal lands
Asks
Congress to enact legislation that would allow construction reimbursement and
per diem payments for veterans nursing care homes built on Native American nation
lands. Current federal law provides for a 65 percent construction reimbursement
and per diem payments to veterans nursing care homes built on land owned by
states, territories or land the U.S. possesses. Veteran homes built on Native
American nation lands are not eligible for the reimbursement and per diem
payments.
“Although
this will be my last session in the Arizona House of Representatives, my
commitment to the community is unwavering. I look forward to working with my
colleagues on these priorities,” Hale said.
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Rep. Hale is an
enrolled member of the Navajo Nation. He was born in Ganado and raised in
Klagetoh, Arizona. He is Ashiihi (Salt), born for Todichiini (Bitter Water).
His maternal grandparents are Hanaghani (Walk About clan). His paternal
grandparents are Kiyanii (Tall House clan). He is a 1969 graduate of Fort
Wingate High School, a Bureau of Indian Affairs boarding school located east of
Gallup, New Mexico. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Arizona State
University, Tempe, Arizona (1973), and a Juris Doctor degree from the
University of New Mexico School of Law, Albuquerque, New Mexico (1977), and an honorary Juris Doctor degree
from Phoenix School of Law (2012). He is the former President of the
Navajo Nation.
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