HERE AT NAVAJO COUNCIL. IT IS NOW 2:24 PM AND COUNCIL DEBATING LEGISLATION 0056-18, WHICH IS SPONSORED BY DELEGATE STEVEN BEGAY AND SEEKS TO CLAIRFY THAT THE SPEAKER DOES NOT VOTE DURING 2/3 VOTE ON LEGISLATION.

DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE says speaker is a delegate and should be allowed to vote in 2/3 vote, which is 16 Yes votes.

CURRENT LAW ALLOWS SPEAKER TO VOTE WHEN THERE IS A TIE VOTE. THE MOVE BY DELEGATE TSOSIE IS PROBABLY BECAUSE THE COUNCIL HAS PROBLEMS KEEPING 16 DELEGATES ON THE FLOOR. AND EVEN WITH 16 DELEGATES, THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT ALL 16 WILL VOTE YES. AND MOST LEGISLATION THAT REQUIRES 2/3 VOTES DEAL WITH THE PEOPLE’S MONEY, WAIVING NAVAJO LAW, AND AMENDING LAW.

DELEGATE AMBER CROTTY so this is now changing what this legislation was intended to do which was to clarify when speaker shall not vote. It appears here that while speaker power and duties are to facilitate conversation. This is contradicting what is already here and underlined for us to amend. Line 15 says “vote only in tie vote.”

CHIEF LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL LEVON HENRY if rest of sentence deleted that Tsosie wants then there is no conflict regarding speaker allowed to vote on 2/3 vote. And bill is to clarify speaker’s vote on 2/3 vote.