Ya’at’eeh Relatives/Frens/Humans, there’s some very interesting legislation going before the Navajo Nation Council Naabik’iyati Committee special meeting, May 24, 2023, Thursday, which includes Legislation 0098-23 – the request for about $2.7 million from the Navajo Nation Undesignated, Unreserved Fund Balance for “expenses” for the Executive and Legislative Branches. According to 0098-23, the $2.7M is expected to carry the Executive and Legislative Branches to the end of the Navajo government’s fiscal 2023, which ends Sept. 30, 2023.
Legislation 0098-23, which former Speaker Seth Damon is sponsoring, also seeks the Navajo Council’s waiver of four Navajo financial laws.
0098-23 also stated that a portion of the $2.7M is for a Navajo Nation Office of the Controller request for $405,737 in UUFB funds to cover the incoming Controller’s salary and Office security services, which is EXHIBIT A. The Navajo Nation Office of Management & Budget wrote a memo regarding the $405,737, which is EXHIBIT B.
A portion of the $2.7M is an Office of Miss Navajo request for $271,744 in UUFB funds to cover its personnel and operating expenses, which are in EXHIBITS F & G.
The Navajo Nation Office of the President & Vice-President is requesting $750,000 of the $2.7M in UUFB funds to cover its travel and other operating expenses, which are in EXHIBITS I & J. Legislation 0098-23 also states that the $750,000 is “needed to continue operations for the remaining 6 months of FY23. OPVP has several outstanding invoices and obligations from the prior FY that need to be resolved and paid out. OPVP will also to provide funding for police training for the Executive Protection Services (EPS) throughout the remaining FY.”
The Navajo Nation Legislative Branch’s request of the $2.7M is about $1.3M. According to 0098-23, the Navajo Council, and the Budget and Finance, the Health, Education, and Human Services, the Resources and Development, and the Law and Order Committees,
as well as various offices and commissions under the Legislative Branch, are requesting a total amount of $1,267,995 in UUFB funds to cover their personnel and other operating expenses for the remainder of FY2023, which is in EXHIBITs K.
The Navajo Council is earmarked to receive $50,000 of the $1.3M for proposed expenditures, which are in EXHIBIT L. The Office of the Speaker is slated to receive $222,000, which is in EXHIBIT 0. And $50,468 is earmarked the Office of Navajo Government Development, which is in EXHIBIT P. The allocation for the Office of Legislative Counsel is $100,000, which is in EXHIBIT Q.
And according to 0098-23, $120,000 is for the Office of Legislative Services, which is in EXHIBIT R. The Office of the Auditor General has $269,400 budgeted for it, which is in EXHIBIT S. The Legislative Branch of the $2.7M includes $85,000 for the Eastern Navajo Land Commission Office, which is in EXHIBIT T. There’s also $43,130 for the Office of Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission, which is in EXHIBIT U.
Legislation 0098-23 also states that the Legislative Branch’s portion of the $2.7M includes $184,410 for the Health, Education, and Human Services Committee, for $19,587 for the Resources and Development Committee, $54,000 for the Law and Order Committee, which are in EXHIBITS V, W, & X.
Navajo Nation Office of the Controller stated in an April 4, 2023, memo that the UUFB balance was $18,809,586, as of Feb. 24, 2023.
According to Naabi’s proposed agenda, LEGISLATION 0080-23: which seeks Navajo Council approval of a temporary Moratorium on all Future Allocations from the Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance (“UUFB”), the Síhasin Fund, and Permanent Fund Income, goes before Naabi after they debate and take action on 0098-23. Council Delegate Carl R. Slater is sponsoring 0080-23.
Slater stated in 0080-23 that the temporary moratorium is to focus the Navajo government’s limited personnel on assisting the Executive and Legislative Branches in spending all ARPA funds before federal deadlines, which mandate the reversion of unspent ARPA funds to the U.S. Treasury.
Legislation 0107-23 seeks Navajo Council approval to amend the Navajo Nation Office of the President & Vice President’s plan of operation regarding its Executive Protection Services Program. 0107-23 states that “Given the lack of available certified officers on the Navajo Nation, the requirement for certified officers serving in the Executive Protection Services Program should be removed. Removal of this requirement will allow for flexibility in hiring needed staff at OPNP. The staff will be thoroughly trained in security measures, and can adequately serve in the EPS Program without formal certification. The EPS Program can always hire certified officers when the opportunity arises, and EPS can coordinate with the Navajo Nation Department of Public Safety to obtain certified officers, if necessary.”
Ahe’hee for Keeping an Eye on the Navajo Government!
NAABIK’ÍYÁTI’ COMMITTEE OF THE 25th NAVAJO NATION COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
Call-in Number: (669) 900-6833
Meeting ID: 928 871 7160
Passcode: 86515
Livestream will be available online at: YouTube:
www.youtube.com/navajonationcouncil
Window Rock, Navajo Nation (AZ)
Thursday, May 25, 2023 – 11:00 AM
PROPOSED AGENDA
PRESIDING CHAIR: Honorable Crystalyne Curley, Speaker, 25th Navajo Nation Council
BUDGET & FINANCE COMMITTEE; HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND HUMAN SERVICES COMM.; RESOURCES & DEVELOPMENT COMM.; LAW & ORDER COMMITTEE
Hon. Shaandiin Parrish (c) Hon. Vince R. James (c) Hon. Brenda Jesus (c) Hon. Eugenia Charles-Newton (c) Hon. Carl R. Slater (vc) Hon. Germaine Simonson (vc) Hon. Casey A. Johnson (vc) Hon. Cherilyn Yazzie (vc) Hon. Lomardo Aseret Hon. Helena Nez Begay Hon. Shawna A. Claw Hon. Steven R. Arviso Hon. Norman M. Begay Hon. Dr. Andy Nez Hon. Rickie Nez Hon. Herman M. Daniels Hon. Amber Kanazbah Crotty Hon. George Tolth Hon. Danny Simpson Hon. Nathan Notah Hon. Seth Damon Hon. Curtis Yanito Hon. Otto Tso (C) Chair & (VC) Vice-Chair
- CALL MEETING TO ORDER; ROLL CALL; INVOCATION
- RECOGNIZE GUESTS AND VISITING OFFICIALS (2 Minute Limit per Delegate)
- REVIEW AND ADOPT THE AGENDA
(m) (s) (v) - REVIEW AND ADOPT THE JOURNALS: April 13, 2023; April 27, 2023; and May 11, 2023
(m) (s) (v) - RECEIVE REPORTS:
A. Report on Ongoing Negotiations of the Debt Ceiling and Potential Impacts within the Navajo Nation Report provided by Justin Ahasteen, Executive Director, Navajo Nation Washington Office
(m) (s) (v) - OLD BUSINESS: NONE
- NEW BUSINESS:
A. LEGISLATION 0092-23: An Action Relating to Naabik’íyáti’ Committee; Confirming the Speaker of the 25th Navajo Nation Council’s Appointments to the Naabik’iyati’ Committee’s Gaming Subcommittee SPONSOR: Honorable Brenda Jesus
(m) (s) (v)
B. LEGISLATION 0098-23: An Action Relating to the Budget and Finance and Naabik’íyáti’ Committees and the Navajo Nation Council; Approving $2,695,476 from the Unreserved, Undesignated fund Balance (“UUFB”) for Various Programs Under the Executive and Legislative Branches, to Cover Their Expenses for the Remainder of FY2023; Waiving 12 N.N.C. §820 (E), § 820 (F), § 820 (J), and §820 (L) to Allow Use of UUFB Funds for Recurring Expenses
SPONSOR: Honorable Seth Damon
(m) (s) (v)
C. LEGISLATION 0080-23: An Action Relating to the Budget & Finance Committee, The Naabik’íyáti’ Committee and the Navajo Nation Council; Approving a Moratorium on all Future Allocations from the Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance (“UUFB”), the Síhasin Fund, and Permanent Fund Income.
SPONSOR: Honorable Carl R. Slater
(m) (s) (v)
D. LEGISLATION 0082-23: An Action Relating to the Naabik’iyati Committee and Navajo Nation Council; Approving the Navajo Nation Fiscal Recovery Fund Delegate Region Project Plan for Honorable Curtis Yanito’s Delegate Region (Chapters: Mexican Water, To’likan, Tee Nos Pos, Aneth, Red Mesa).
SPONSOR: Honorable Curtis Yanito
(m) (s) (v)
E. LEGISLATION 0101-23 An Action Relating to Naabik’iyati Committee; Establishing the 25th Navajo Nation Council Naabik’iyati’ Title Two Reform Subcommittee SPONSOR: Honorable Curtis Yanito
(m) (s) (v)
F. LEGISLATION 0102-23: An Action Relating to the Naabik’iyati’ Committee and Navajo Nation Council; Amending CAP-10-23, the Navajo Nation Fiscal Recovery Fund Delegate Region Project Plan for Honorable Helena Nez Begay’s Delegate Region (Chapters: Coppermine, K’aibii’to, LeChee, Tonalea/Red Lake, Bodaway Gap), to include Additional Projects for this Delegate Region.
SPONSOR: Honorable Helena Nez Begay
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Seth Damon
(m) (s) (v)
G. LEGISLATION 0103-23: An Action Relating to Naabik’iyati’ Committee and Navajo Nation Council; amending CAP-11-23, the Navajo Nation Fiscal Recovery Fund Delegate Region Project Plan for Honorable Steven R. Arviso’s Delegate Region (Chapters: Churchrock, Iyanbito, Mariano Lake, Pinedale, Smith Lake, Thoreau), to Include Additional Projects for this Delegate Region
SPONSOR: Honorable Steven R. Arviso
(m) (s) (v)
H. LEGISLATION 0107-23: An Action Relating to the Naabik’iyati’ Committee; Approving Certain Amendments to the Plan of Operation for the Office of the President and Vice-President, Relating to the Executive Protection Services Program
SPONSOR: Honorable Seth Damon
(m) (s) (v)
I. LEGISLATION 0110-23: An Action Relating to the Naabik’iyati’ Committee and Navajo Nation Council; Amending CAP-09-23 and CD-61-22, the Navajo Nation Fiscal Recovery Fund Delegate Region Project Plan for Honorable Vince R. James’ Delegate Region (Chapters: Jeddito, Cornfields, Ganado, Kinlichee, Steamboat) to Include Additional Projects for this Delegate Region
SPONSOR: Honorable Vince R. James
(m) (s) (v)
J. LEGISLATION 0111-23: An Action Relating to the Naabik’iyati’ Committee and Navajo Nation Council; Approving the Navajo Nation Fiscal Recovery Fund Delegate Region Project Plan for Honorable Lomardo Aseret’s Delegate Region (Chapters: Klagetoh, Wide Ruins, Houck, Lupton, Nahata Dziil ) 5-day Hold, Ready for committee action on May 25, 2023
SPONSOR: Honorable Lomardo Aseret
(m) (s) (v)
K. LEGISLATION 0112-23: An Action Relating to the Naabik’iyati’ Committee and Navajo Nation Council; Approving the Navajo Nation Fiscal Recovery Fund Delegate Region Project Plan for Honorable Danny Simpson’s Delegate Region (Chapters: Becenti, Lake Valley, Nahodishgish, Standing Rock, Whiterock, Huerfano, Nageezi, Crownpoint) 5-day Hold, Ready for committee action on May 25, 2023
SPONSOR: Honorable Danny Simpson
(m) (s) (v) - CLOSE OF MEETING; ANNOUNCEMENTS; ADJOURNMENT
AGENDA SUBJECT TO CHANGE: The public is advised that the Navajo Nation Council Agenda and the Agendas of the Standing Committees are not final until adopted by a majority vote of the Navajo Nation Council or the Standing Committee at a Navajo Nation Council or a Standing Committee meeting pursuant to 2 N.N.C. §§163 and 183, Navajo Nation Council Rule of Order No. 7, and Standing Committee Rule of Order No. 8.
Livestream will be available online at: YouTube:
www.youtube.com/navajonationcouncil
