HB447 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Lesley Vance

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Indian Affairs Commission, Kawita Creeks in Russell County recognized, one member from tribe appointed to commission, Sec. 41-9-708 am'd.

Summary

HB447 would recognize Kawita Creeks of Russell County and add one Kawita Creeks representative to the Alabama Indian Affairs Commission.

What This Bill Does

It recognizes Kawita Creeks of Russell County as a state-recognized Indian group and provides for one representative from Kawita Creeks on the Alabama Indian Affairs Commission. The Kawita Creeks member would be one of the seven Indian members appointed by the Governor from state-recognized tribes, with a four-year initial term and voting rights equal to other members. The bill preserves the Commission structure (including an at-large seat and a majority of members being Indian) and allows recognition of additional tribes in the future. It takes effect after passage and the Governor's approval.

Who It Affects

• Kawita Creeks of Russell County: they would be officially recognized and receive one seat on the Alabama Indian Affairs Commission, with a four-year term and voting rights like other members.
• Other state-recognized tribes and bands listed in the bill (Poarch Band of Creeks, Mowa Band of Choctaws, Star Clan of Muscogee Creeks, Echota Cherokees of Alabama, Cherokees of northeast Alabama, Cherokees of southeast Alabama, Ma-Chis Lower Creek Indian Tribe): each would be entitled to one representative on the Commission.

Key Provisions

• The Kawita Creeks of Russell County are recognized and their one representative is added to the Alabama Indian Affairs Commission as part of the seven governor-appointed Indian members.
• The Kawita Creeks representative shall have a four-year initial term and the same voting powers as other commission members.
• The seven tribes/bands listed (Poarch Band of Creeks, Mowa Band of Choctaws, Star Clan of Muscogee Creeks, Echota Cherokees, Cherokees of northeast Alabama, Cherokees of southeast Alabama, Kawita Creeks, Ma-Chis Lower Creek Indian Tribe) each get one representative; there is also a governor-appointed at-large member and an Alabama resident member from a federally recognized tribe not represented on the commission.
• The commission remains majority Indian and continues to have the authority to recognize additional tribes with a defined recognition process.
• Initial terms for new members are staggered (two years for four members, three years for two members, four years for two members), with Kawita Creeks’ term specifically four years; other provisions outline terms for Ma-Chis as well.
• The Governor may review complaints of negligence and remove a commissioner for negligent performance of duties after review.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Russell County