Minnesota Indian Affairs Council Legislative Update

This legislative session the Minnesota Indian Affairs council will be sending weekly updates on a broad range of issues, including anything that relates to Indian Country in Minnesota. Often issues of focus are health, human services, natural resources and education ¬ to name a few. We¹ll keep you informed as legislative initiatives move forward in the House and Senate.

________________________________________

Health and Human Services: Housing

The HOME (Housing Opportunities Made Equitable) Pilot Project aims to provide racial and ethnic minority families and individuals, including American Indians, with opportunities to become homeowners through accessible mortgage financing and enhanced financial capacity training to increase successful homeownership. HF 859 passed the House with a unanimous vote of 130-0 on April 9th. SF 771 will be heard soon on the Senate floor.

Health and Human Services: American Indian Advisory Council

The American Indian Advisory Council, which provides a forum for discussion on issues such as ICWA and chemical dependency was scheduled to expire. Language has been included in the Omnibus Health and Human Services bill

that will allow for the council to operate without an expiration date. Bills are SF 2087 and companion HF 2402. Currently they do not appear on the calendar for further consideration.

Minnesota Indian Affairs Council: Legislation Introduced to Restructure Four Councils

No further action has occurred on either HF 3333 or SF 2903.

________________________________________

Announcements and News from MIAC

MIAC, in collaboration with other partner organizations has been involved in development and planning a MN state employee training called: Minnesota Tribal-State Relations Training. This opportunity will educate state

employee participants on history of American Indian Tribes in MN, the relationship between tribes and the state, legal background, treaties, and other topics. Training dates are set for:

June 16th and 17th, 2014 ¬ Grand Casino Hinckley

July 21st and 22nd, 2014 ¬ West Central MN (TBD)

September 8th and 9th, 2014 ¬ Prairie¹s Edge Casino Resort/Hotel Granite Falls

Registration information can be found on MIAC¹s website at: http://mn.gov/indianaffairs/

________________________________________

As a reminder, the American Indian Veteran¹s Plaque Ceremony will take place on May 22nd at 10:00am in the Capitol Court of Honor.

Thank you for your time in reading our legislative update! Anticipate weekly updates throughout this session.

Melanie L. Plucinski, MPH

Legislative and Grants Director

Minnesota Indian Affairs Council

Cell: (651)-231-9248