(a) There shall continue to be an Indian Affairs Council, consisting of one representative from each of the following Indian tribes: The Schaghticoke, the Paucatuck Eastern Pequot, the Mashantucket Pequot, the Mohegan and the Golden Hill Paugussett; to be appointed by the respective tribes, and three persons appointed by the Governor who are electors within the state but not elected or appointive officials of the state or any of its political subdivisions and are not of Indian lineage. Appointments made under this section shall be for terms of three years. Each Indian tribe may designate from among its members an alternate representative who may serve from time to time in place of its appointive representative. Vacancies on said council shall be filled by the respective appointing authority for the unexpired balance of the term. The members of said council shall be compensated for their services thereon at the rate of twenty-five dollars per day and shall be reimbursed for their necessary expenses. Said council shall provide services to the Indian reservation community of the state and formulate programs suitable to its needs. The council may select an executive director who shall serve at no expense to the state but may be compensated with funds contributed by the tribes.
(b) The Indian Affairs Council shall review the regulations governing Indian affairs in the state of Connecticut and advise the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection on promulgation of new regulations. The council shall report annually, no later than September first, to the Governor and the General Assembly on the activities of the council and the state of affairs of the Indian people in the state.
(P.A. 73-660, S. 2, 8, 10, 11; P.A. 74-168, S. 1, 2; P.A. 75-129, S. 1, 2; P.A. 81-375, S. 1, 4; P.A. 89-368, S. 20; P.A. 93-435, S. 16, 95; P.A. 11-80, S. 1.)
History: P.A. 74-168 continued existence of council, added representative from Golden Hill tribe and allowed compensation of $25 per day where previously members received no compensation but were reimbursed for necessary expenses; P.A. 75-129 authorized tribes to designate alternate representatives; P.A. 81-375 amended Subsec. (a) to change names of tribes as of July 1, 1981; P.A. 89-368 amended Subsec. (a) by substituting “Paucatuck Eastern Pequot” for “Paucatuck Pequot” and by deleting an obsolete provision” concerning terms and deleted Subsec. (b) re qualifications necessary for a person's designation as an Indian and re eligibility for residing on reservation lands and relettered Subsec. (c) as Subsec. (b); P.A. 93-435 amended Subsec. (b) to make a technical change, effective June 28, 1993; pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Commissioner of Environmental Protection” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection” in Subsec. (b), effective July 1, 2011.
See Sec. 47-65 re management of reservations and reservation residents and re duties of Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection in connection with reservation management.
Indian Affairs Council is an “agency” within the meaning of Sec. 4-166(1) and is subject to the provisions of the Uniform Administrative Procedure Act. 180 C. 474. Cited. 243 C. 115.
Cited. 18 CA 4; 22 CA 229; judgment reversed, see 217 C. 612.
Structure Connecticut General Statutes
Title 47 - Land and Land Titles
Section 47-59. - Overseer of Indians.
Section 47-59a. - Connecticut Indians; citizenship, civil rights, land rights.
Section 47-60. - Reservation land held in trust by state. Conveyances by Indians void.
Section 47-61. - No title by possession against an Indian.
Section 47-62. - Taking wood from land of Indian.
Section 47-64. - Use of reservations. Restriction of leases. Escheats.
Section 47-65a. - Hunting and fishing on reservations.
Section 47-66. - Tribal funds.
Section 47-66a. - Indian housing authorities. Creation and powers.
Section 47-66b. - Commissioners.
Section 47-66c. - Area of operation.
Section 47-66d. - Lease of tribal property to housing authority.
Section 47-66g. - Management of Indian affairs.
Section 47-66h. - Trust agreements between Governor and willing indigenous tribes.
Section 47-66i. - Method of selecting tribal leaders. Disputes.