The Eighth Osage Nation Congress passed the first of several legislative items under consideration including the Legislative Branch’s 2024 fiscal year budget during the Tzi-Sho Session.
On Sept. 14, Congress passed bill ONCA 23-82 (sponsored by Second Congressional Speaker Pam Shaw), which is the Congressional operations budget set at $2,643,719 for FY 2024. The budget amount is a 6.11% increase from FY 2023’s budget set at $2,491,552, according to the appropriation bill.
Shaw discussed the branch’s respective budget with the Congressional Appropriations Committee, noting there is a 5% cost of living adjustment (COLA) for Legislative Branch employees and there will be funding toward 2024 Inauguration Day activities.
“Keep in mind that (2024) is an election year, so there will be a smaller inauguration included in the budget,” Shaw said. In accordance with the Osage Constitution, there will be the General Election on the first Monday in June next year where six Congressional seats will open with each holding a four-year term.
Legislative Budget Analyst Jordan Fraser told the committee an additional $26,000 increase to the budget’s special events for the inauguration, as well as possible computer purchases for Congress members and slight increases for office operations and indirect costs.
The budget also includes $375,000 to continue the branch’s Office of Fiscal Performance and Review operations, which is currently contracted to outside firm Moss Adams.
ONCA 23-82 passed with a 12-0 vote on Sept. 14 and two other legislative items also received passing votes as the first items passed during the regular fall session. Those items passing are:
- ONCA 23-103 (sponsored by Congresswoman Jodie Revard), which is “An Act to amend ONCA 21-95 to authorize appropriation modifications and supplemental appropriations to the Executive Branch in non-Tribal funds reducing the overall amount by $145,100.
- ONCR 23-23 (Stabler), which is “A Resolution to authorize a limited waiver of sovereign immunity from suit and consent to jurisdiction to Paycom Payroll, LLC for payroll services to Si-Si A-Pe-Txa (ON Health Services).”
