§ 41-2051 — Governor's office on tribal relations; director; responsibilities of state agencies; report

A. The governor's office on tribal relations is established. The office shall assist state agencies in implementing tribal consultation and outreach activities.

B. The governor shall appoint the director pursuant to section 38-211. The director is entitled to receive compensation pursuant to section 38-611. The office may employ clerical, professional and technical personnel subject to chapter 4, article 4 of this title and shall prescribe their duties and determine their compensation pursuant to section 38-611.

C. Each state agency shall:

1. Develop and implement tribal consultation policies to guide the agency's work and interaction with the tribal nations of this state.

2. To the extent practicable and permitted by law, seek input from appropriate elected or appointed tribal officials before undertaking any action or policy that will, or is reasonably believed to, have the potential to affect a tribal community or its members.

3. To the fullest extent possible and to the best of the agency's ability, integrate the input generated from tribal consultation into the agency's decision-making processes to achieve mutually acceptable solutions.

4. Designate a state member to assume responsibility for the agency's implementation of the tribal consultation policies and to act as the principal point of contact for tribal affairs.

5. On or before October 1 of each year, review the agency's tribal consultation policies and submit an electronic progress report with performance measures to the office. The office shall make the reports available to tribal leaders and legislators.

D. The office may initiate or assist programs on tribal land only on the request or with the approval of the tribal nation.

E. At least once a year, the governor shall meet with the tribal leaders of the twenty-two tribal nations and communities in a state-tribal summit to address issues of mutual concern.