Hale announces his legislative priorities for his last year in the Arizona House of Representatives

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Rep. Albert Hale, D-St. Michaels (District 7), has introduced legislation to promote the interests of Native American nations in Arizona.

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. 

******************************************************************************

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.

-30-