Oklahoma, a state with 39 federally recognized Native American tribes, will have a liaison in the governor’s office instead of a nine-member Indian Affairs Commission if HB 2172 becomes law. It is well on its way, having passed the House Wednesday evening by 57-36 after an often intense debate. Its emergency clause failed.

Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, R-Moore, said that many tribal leaders were unaware of the measure’s existence, and should be given an opportunity to have input on such a bill so important to their interests.

“We’re always doing these things to our tribal leaders,” he said, terming the move disrespectful.

Wesselhoft said the post should be a cabinet-level position, not just a liaison. He asked that the issue be laid aside for an interim study.

Rep. Danny Morgan, D-Prague, said the tribes are one of the state’s largest employers, but do not have a cabinet secretary as the agriculture and energy industries do.

“They don’t have a seat at the table,” he said.

Morgan said the state will save only $192,000 by abolishing the commission.

Rep. Chuck Hoskin, D-Vinita, who has served on the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council, said he was given only six days to inform leaders of state tribes about the legislation.

He said the $192,000 savings is nothing compared to the millions of dollars the tribes bring into the state.

Hoskin read messages from the leaders of several tribes voicing opposition to doing away with the commission, which has been in existence for 44 years.

Rep. Larry Glenn, D-Miami, said leaders of nine of the 10 tribes in his district contacted him about the bill, asking that the state deal with them on a government-to-government basis.

Closing debate, Rep. Ron Peters, R-Tulsa, said members who want the position to be made a cabinet secretary  could file legislation to do that.

Peters said he heard from only one tribe, whose officials asked only that a blood-quantum requirement for the liaison officer be deleted.

Peters also argued that, under the bill, the liaison officer would have more responsibilities than the current executive director.

Among other interactions with the tribes, those duties would include: Negotiating cooperative agreements on behalf of the state with the tribes, monitoring compacts with tribes, and advising them about state programs and funding opportunities.

The measure now heads to the Senate for final action.