An Oklahoma lawmaker wants to ensure the governor attempts to negotiate with tribal leaders by legally requiring it.
The proposal, introduced by Rep. Danny Williams, would direct the governor to offer to meet with tribal officials at least once a month during compact negotiations.
Williams, a Republican from Seminole, said he based House Bill 3119 off the principles of business negotiations.
“If we just get everybody to the table, I think we can make progress,” said Williams, who is also the House majority vice chair.
Tribal compacts at center of disputes expires in December
The proposal lands after months of controversy surrounding compact negotiations between the state and tribal governments. After some tribal leaders said last year that Gov. Kevin Stitt had refused to negotiate with them over expiring tobacco tax and car tag agreements, state lawmakers worked apart from the governor and voted to extend the deals as-is.
The compacts now expire in December, meaning time is ticking on negotiations with dozens of tribes. There are a few exceptions. The Apache, Chickasaw and Citizen Potawatomi nations all reached long-term tobacco tax agreements with Stitt earlier this month. Stitt also signed a separate car tag compact with the Chickasaw Nation.