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H.C.R. 4 Enrolled

             1     

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING CONGRESSIONAL
             2      ACTION TO DESIGNATE A NEW RECIPIENT OF
             3      ROYALTIES FROM NAVAJO RESERVATION LANDS IN UTAH
             4      2008 GENERAL SESSION
             5      STATE OF UTAH
             6      Chief Sponsor: David Clark
             7      Senate Sponsor: Curtis S. Bramble
             8     
             9      LONG TITLE
             10      General Description:
             11          This concurrent resolution addresses the removal of the state as the recipient of certain
             12      oil and gas royalties from the San Juan County portion of the Navajo reservation.
             13      Highlighted Provisions:
             14          This resolution:
             15          .    describes aspects of the history surrounding the state's receipt of the oil and gas
             16      royalties;
             17          .    explains that the state is unique in having such a responsibility;
             18          .    discusses how litigation has proven problematic in the state meeting its obligations;
             19          .    discusses the expressed desire of Navajos to have greater control over the
             20      expenditure of the oil and gas royalties;
             21          .    discusses congressional action to designate a new recipient of the oil and gas
             22      royalties;
             23          .    supports the continuation of the benefits flowing to San Juan Navajos;
             24          .    encourages Congress to work with interested parties to take action; and
             25          .    provides for the distribution of the resolution.
             26      Special Clauses:
             27          None
             28     
             29      Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:

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             30          WHEREAS, in 1933 Congress added federal lands located in San Juan County to the
             31      Navajo reservation and directed Utah to receive 37.5% of oil and gas royalties from those lands
             32      for "the tuition of Indian children in white schools and/or the building or maintenance of roads .
             33      . . or for the benefit of Indians residing therein";
             34          WHEREAS, in 1968 Congress amended the purposes for which the 37.5% of oil and
             35      gas royalties are to be expended to be "for the health, education, and general welfare of the
             36      Navajo Indians residing in San Juan County, Utah";
             37          WHEREAS, Utah is unique amongst the states in having such an obligation and the San
             38      Juan Navajos are unique in having this relationship to the state;
             39          WHEREAS, by treaty in 1868 the Navajo Nation was recognized as a sovereign and it is
             40      now the largest American Indian tribe in the country with significant expertise in its governance
             41      of its people;
             42          WHEREAS, the Navajo Nation receives and expends the other 62.5% of the oil and gas
             43      royalties from the San Juan County portion of the Navajo reservation;
             44          WHEREAS, the San Juan Navajos are valued citizens of the state of Utah whose
             45      interests include the need for critical infrastructure such as water and electricity;
             46          WHEREAS, the state first received monies from the 37.5% of the oil and gas royalties
             47      in 1959 and litigation related to those royalties began almost immediately, with a first major
             48      decision occurring in 1961;
             49          WHEREAS, the litigious environment surrounding the state's administration of the oil
             50      and gas royalties harms the relationship between the state and the San Juan Navajos and
             51      complicates all parties' ability to meet the needs of the San Juan Navajos;
             52          WHEREAS, Navajos have expressed a desire to have greater input or control over the
             53      administration of the 37.5% of oil and gas royalties;
             54          WHEREAS, there exists several Navajo related entities that are equipped to find a more
             55      effective way to administer these royalties where the state is not cast in the role as trustee;
             56          WHEREAS, removal of the state as a go-between provides an opportunity for Navajos
             57      to determine the best use of these royalties;

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             58          WHEREAS, Congress should designate a new recipient of the 37.5% of oil and gas
             59      royalties; and
             60          WHEREAS, the state will continue to assist its citizens in the San Juan County through
             61      more traditional state tools such as the Navajo Revitalization Fund:
             62          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
             63      Governor concurring therein, encourages the United States Congress to expeditiously designate
             64      a new recipient of the 37.5% of oil and gas royalties as quickly as possible.
             65          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and Governor support
             66      congressional action that results in the 37.5% of oil and gas royalties continuing to flow to the
             67      benefit of San Juan Navajos.
             68          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and Governor request Congress to
             69      work with interested parties to ensure the best solution possible regarding the distribution of the
             70      37.5% of oil and gas royalties.
             71          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this concurrent resolution be sent to:
             72          (1) the members of Utah's congressional delegation;
             73          (2) the Navajo Utah Commission;
             74          (3) the President of the Navajo Nation;
             75          (4) the Speaker of the Navajo Nation Council;
             76          (5) the board of trustees of the Navajo Trust Fund; and
             77          (6) the Dineh Committee of the Navajo Trust Fund.

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