On March 19, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson signed Senate Bill 196 (http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/_session.aspx?Chamber=S&LegType=B&LegNo=196&year=09), sponsored by NCNASL member Senator John Pinto. The legislation, titled the State-Tribal Collaboration Act, requires all state agencies to designate a tribal liaison and develop policies that promote positive, effective and culturally competent government-to-government relations with Indian nations, pueblos, and tribes.
The act also provides for:
¨ An annual state-tribal summit between the Governor and the leaders of Indian nations, pueblos, and tribes,
¨ An annual training for state-employees who have ongoing communication with Indian nations, pueblos, and tribes, and
¨ An annual report from every state agency detailing the ongoing relations between the agency and Indian nations, pueblos, and tribes.