header-left header-right
File #: 08-007    Version: 1 Name: The Sovereign Immunity Act
Type: Legislative Act Status: Failed
File created: 1/21/2008 In control: RULES COMMITTEE
On agenda: 2/7/2008 Final action: 2/11/2008
Enactment date: 2/11/2008 Enactment #: N/A
Title: AN ACT AMENDING LA 23-04 RELATING TO CHEROKEE NATION SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY AND DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE WAIVER FOR BUSINESS ACTIVITIES
Sponsors: Bill John Baker
Indexes: Waiver of Sovereign Immunity
Code sections: ?? - Unknown
Related files: LA-23-04
Title
AN ACT AMENDING LA 23-04 RELATING TO CHEROKEE NATION SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY AND DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE WAIVER FOR BUSINESS ACTIVITIES
Body
BE IT ENACTED BY THE CHEROKEE NATION:

Section 1. Title and Codification

Example: This act shall be known as the Sovereign Immunity Act and codified as (Title) ____ (Section) ____ of the Cherokee Nation Code
Annotated.

Section 2. Purpose

To clarify Cherokee Nation Sovereign Immunity and authorize the Principal Chief to waive sovereign immunity on a limited basis for business transactions of Cherokee Nation-owned Business Entities in order to better fulfill the duties prescribed by the Cherokee Nation Constitution.

Section 3. Legislative History
None.

Section 4. Definitions

For purposes of this Title:

a) Act means an enactment of the Council as provided in the Constitution.

b) Business Entity means any business entity in which the Nation is a majority owner.

c) Nation means Cherokee Nation.

d) Resolution means an enactment of the Council as provided in the Constitution.

e) Sovereign Immunity means the preclusion of bringing suit against the government without its consent.


Section 5. Sovereign Immunity

a) The Nation is a Federally Recognized Indian Nation existing from time immemorial and retains the inherent right to preclude lawsuits under the doctrine of sovereign immunity.
b) The Nation does not consent to lawsuits in any court except by Act or Resolution.

c) The Nation has the inherent right to waive, and grant authority to waive sovereign immunity with limitations as to time, place, manner, subject, and any other restrictions desired.

Section 6. Delegation of Authority As To Business Entities.

The Principal Chief is authorized to execute a waiver of sovereign immunity and/or to agree not to raise the defense of sovereign immunity as to a Business Entity only as follows:

a) All waivers shall be in writing and signed by the Principal Chief and verified signed by the Secretary-Treasur...

Click here for full text