Alabama Indian Affairs Commission; commission authority and membership revised, additional tribes recognized

SB 250 expands Alabama's Indian Affairs Commission by increasing its tribal representation from seven to nine members, formally recognizing two additional tribes (the United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation and Ma-Chis Lower Creek Indian Tribe) for the first time. The bill authorizes the commission to seek state funding alongside federal grants, while adding specific requirements for the executive director, including salary, age, and residency rules. It also clarifies that the commission cannot be forced to share certain tribal records with membership organizations. These changes update the commission’s structure and operational authority without altering its core duties of studying Indian affairs and coordinating with government agencies.