Title
THE CAREER READINESS ACT OF 2019, 2022 AMENDMENTS
Body
BE IT ENACTED BY THE CHEROKEE NATION:
Section 1. Title and Codification
This legislative act shall be titled and codified in Title 70, Chapter 4 of the Cherokee Nation Code Annotated as the “Career Readiness Act of 2019, 2022 Amendments.”
Section 2. Findings
The Council of the Cherokee Nation finds that additional funding is needed to assist Cherokee citizens in obtaining training for job opportunities and workplace advancement.
Section 3. Purpose
The purpose of this Act is to authorize increased operating funding for Career Readiness Programs beginning in fiscal year 2020, authorize construction of a Career Readiness Campus and require an annual report on Career Readiness.
Section 4. Legislative History
LA-18-19
Section5. Substantive Provisions
§ 1. Definitions.
A. Career Readiness Program: Any program of study, other than college degree programs, which prepares students to achieve marketable skills for job opportunities or workplace advancement.
§ 2. Amounts Authorized.
A. Annual Operational operating funds shall be no less than $1 million in excess of fiscal year 2020 Comprehensive Budget Act general fund revenue appropriations for Career Readiness Programs associated with Cherokee Nation’s Career Services Department, with such authorization expiring September 30, 20242025, unless specially reauthorized by act of the Council of the Cherokee Nation.
B. The Cherokee Nation Career Readiness Campus is hereby authorized to be located at approximately 16430 US Highway 62 (Muskogee Avenue), Tahlequah, Cherokee Nation Reservation, on approximatelytwenty-four acres; said campus to provide space for career readiness instruction to effectuate the purposes and policies of the Act; authorization for funding for said campus is $10,000,000 and further expansion of said campus by amendment to this Act or other legislative authorization.
B.C. The funding source is dividends received from those governmental revenue entities in which Cherokee Nation is the sole or majority shareholder, and that are organized under Cherokee Nation law. Other sources of funding, such as grants, miscellaneous sources and contributions, revenues of enterprises, taxes, and special and general fund sources, and American Recovery Plan Act funds under the Cherokee Nation Respond Recover and Rebuild Plan may be used to supplement this funding in order to maximize the beneficial impact through a cohesive strategy to achieve the Purpose as identified herein.
C.D. The Principal Chief is authorized to execute memoranda of agreement with Cherokee Nation Businesses to effectuate the funding requirements of this Act.
D.E. The Executive Director of Career Services is authorized to develop, with the approval of the Principal Chief, assistance programs to meet market demands, employing flexibility in establishing Career Readiness Program eligibility requirements to maximize opportunities for Cherokee citizens living within the Cherokee Nation reservation boundaries. Such Career Readiness Programs may include, but may not be limited to, the following priority areas: building trades, HVAC repair and maintenance, healthcare and information technology.
F. All funds, irrespective of source, appropriated for programs and services administered by the Cherokee Nation Career Services Department, and any capital projects related to such programs, shall be deemed for all purposes as having been funded pursuant to this Act and any amendments thereto.
E. G. All funding set forth herein is subject to the Council appropriation’s process.
§ 3. Policy of Accountability
A. All funds pursuant to this Act under the care of the Cherokee Nation shall be expended as authorized by this enactment unless amended.
B. Any official who intentionally and willfully misuses, misapplies, diverts or embezzles the application or use of any public funds entrusted to the care of the Cherokee Nation from any sources may be prosecuted according to applicable criminal statutes.
§ 4. Reporting Requirements.
A. Prior to the end of each calendar year commencing with calendar year 2022 fiscal year, the Principal Chief shall designate an official to compile a report to be delivered to his office and to the Speaker of the Council on the efficacy of the Cherokee Nation Career Readiness Program, which shall include recommendations for changes and improvements to program design and organization. covering the previous fiscal year.
B. The report submitted pursuant to subsection A of this Section shall for calendar year 2022 shall include an assessment of any geographic gaps in access to Cherokee Nation Career Services offices and the Department of Career Services shall establish a goal of making access to its offices available to all Cherokee citizens within the reservation with an approximately a thirty mile drive.
Section 6. Provisions as cumulative
The provisions of this act shall be cumulative to existing law.
Section 7. Severability
The provisions of this act are severable and if any part of provision hereof shall be held void the decision of the court so holding shall not affect or impair any of the remaining parts or provisions of this act.
Section 8. Effective Date: Emergency Declared
It being immediately necessary for the welfare of the Cherokee Nation, the Council hereby declares that an emergency exists, by reason whereof this Act shall take effect immediately upon its approval and signatures.