The Eighth Osage Nation Congress will convene for its final special session of the 2023 calendar year starting Dec. 19 at 10 a.m.
In accordance with the Osage Constitution, Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear issued an executive proclamation calling for the special session, which will take place at the Legislative Chambers along Main Street in Pawhuska. This will be the 9th special session for the 12-member Congress.
Special session items listed on the proclamation dated Dec. 4 include:
- Amendments to non-tribal (funding) budgets
- Appropriations for the Orphaned Well program
- Resolution for Tobacco Compact Extension
Osage law on special sessions notes: “Once the Proclamation is filed with the Clerk of Congress, it may only be amended up to 72 hours before the first day of the Special Session. No amendment to the Proclamation shall be allowed less than 72 hours before the first day of the Special Session. After the Special Session is commenced, the Proclamation may only be amended by affirmative vote of consent by two-thirds of the members. Notice of the vote on amending the Proclamation must be provided to the members two days in advance of the vote.”
During the special session, Congress members will also meet in scheduled Congressional select or standing committee meetings to initially consider legislation or other items for consideration. Legislative bills and resolutions filed for consideration will be available on the Nation’s website for the Legislative Branch.
Special sessions may last up to 10 days and may be extended up to three additional days at two-thirds of Congress members’ written request. Otherwise, Congress members can motion and vote to adjourn a special session once all legislative business is deemed completed.
For more ON Congressional information on sessions, committees and to view filed legislative documents, visit the Legislative Branch website at: https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/who-we-are/legislative-branch
