CHAPTER 31.4. NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN AFFAIRS COMMISSION - Indiana Statutes

IC 4-4-31.4
     Chapter 31.4. Native American Indian Affairs Commission

IC 4-4-31.4-1
"Commission"
     Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "commission" refers to the Native American Indian affairs commission established by section 4 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.283-2003, SEC.1.

IC 4-4-31.4-2
"Department"
     Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "department" refers to the department of workforce development.
As added by P.L.283-2003, SEC.1.

IC 4-4-31.4-3
"Native American Indian"
     Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "Native American Indian" means an individual who is at least one (1) of the following:
        (1) An Alaska native as defined in 43 U.S.C. 1602(b).
        (2) An Indian as defined in 25 U.S.C. 450b(d).
        (3) A native Hawaiian as defined in 20 U.S.C. 7912(1).
As added by P.L.283-2003, SEC.1.

IC 4-4-31.4-4
Commission established
     Sec. 4. The Native American Indian affairs commission is established.
As added by P.L.283-2003, SEC.1.

IC 4-4-31.4-5
Members
     Sec. 5. (a) The commission consists of fifteen (15) voting members and two (2) nonvoting members. The voting members of the commission consist of the following:
        (1) Six (6) Native American Indians, each from a different geographic region of Indiana.
        (2) Two (2) Native American Indians who have knowledge in Native American traditions and spiritual issues.
        (3) The commissioner of the department of correction or the commissioner's designee.
        (4) The commissioner of the commission for higher education or the commissioner's designee.
        (5) The commissioner of the state department of health or the commissioner's designee.
        (6) The secretary of family and social services or the secretary's designee.
        (7) The director of the department of natural resources or the director's designee.         (8) The state superintendent of public instruction or the superintendent's designee.
        (9) The commissioner of the department of workforce development or the commissioner's designee.
    (b) The nonvoting members of the commission consist of the following:
        (1) One (1) member of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
        (2) One (1) member of the senate appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate.
    (c) The governor shall appoint each Native American Indian member of the commission to a term of four (4) years, and any vacancy occurring shall be filled by the governor for the unexpired term. Before appointing a Native American Indian member to the commission, the governor shall solicit nominees from Indiana associations that represent Native American Indians in the geographic region from which the member will be selected. Not more than one (1) member may represent the same tribe or Native American Indian organization or association.
    (d) A member of the commission may be removed by the member's appointing authority.
As added by P.L.283-2003, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.1-2009, SEC.7.

IC 4-4-31.4-6
Vote requirement
     Sec. 6. The affirmative votes of at least eight (8) members of the commission are required for the commission to take any official action, including public policy recommendations and reports.
As added by P.L.283-2003, SEC.1.

IC 4-4-31.4-7
Staff; expenses; chairperson
     Sec. 7. (a) The department shall provide staff and administrative support for the commission.
    (b) Expenses incurred under this chapter shall be paid from funds appropriated to the department.
    (c) The governor shall appoint a voting member of the commission to serve as the commission's chairperson.
As added by P.L.283-2003, SEC.1.

IC 4-4-31.4-8
Duties
     Sec. 8. The commission shall study problems common to Native American Indian residents of Indiana in the areas of employment, education, civil rights, health, and housing. The commission may make recommendations to appropriate federal, state, and local governmental agencies concerning the following:
        (1) Health issues affecting Native American Indian communities, including data collection, equal access to public assistance programs, and informing health officials of cultural

traditions relevant to health care.
        (2) Cooperation and understanding between the Native American Indian communities and other communities throughout Indiana.
        (3) Cultural barriers to the educational system, including barriers to higher education and opportunities for financial aid and minority scholarships.
        (4) Inaccurate information and stereotypes concerning Native American Indians, including the accuracy of educational curriculum.
        (5) Measures to stimulate job skill training and related workforce development, including initiatives to assist employers to overcome communication and cultural differences.
        (6) Programs to encourage the growth and support of Native American Indian owned businesses.
        (7) Public awareness of issues affecting the Native American Indian communities.
        (8) Issues concerning preservation and excavation of Native American Indian historical and archeology sites, including reburial of Native American Indians.
        (9) Measures that could facilitate easier access to state and local government services by Native American Indians.
As added by P.L.283-2003, SEC.1.

IC 4-4-31.4-9
Prohibited areas of study
     Sec. 9. The commission may not study or make recommendations on the following issues:
        (1) Negotiations between a tribe and the state or federal government concerning tribal sovereignty.
        (2) Gaming on tribal land.
As added by P.L.283-2003, SEC.1.