Feedback requested for Urgent Law Making Process

11/20/2012

The Kahnawà:ke Legislative Coordinating Commission ( KLCC) is requesting community feedback for a proposed Urgent Law Making Process to be considered for use in certain circumstances. This new process would be incorporated into the Community Decision Making Process format, pending approval.

The revisions have been designed to deal with issues/legislation that require immediate (or near immediate) action.

Key elements of the proposed Urgent Process include, 1) Defined criteria for determining what is “urgent” and requires legislative action, 2) Description of timeline and actions to be utilized by Chief & Council to make an official declaration in the case of a Type II law, 3) Decision by community to either confirm urgency or determine otherwise in the case of a Type I law, 4) Upon community confirmation, begin the accelerated regular CDMP process that will be completed with a period of one year less a day. In all instances, community input on the law is still a major component.

A preliminary draft of the process is attached to this release (see page 2).

“Any law using this Urgent Process MUST be submitted using the regular CDMP within a year of enactment of any legislation,” said KLCC Coordinator Kahente Horn-Miller. “Many people are concerned that the regular CDMP may take too long, which could cause some difficulty in certain circumstances. This Urgent Process is designed to help in these extraordinary situations.”

Feedback on the proposed Urgent Process can be made at the KLCC offices, located above the Justice Services offices located in the old village, by telephone at 450-632-7500 (extensions 2362 or 2321) or by accessing the website www.kahnawakemakingdecisions.com. Additionally, KLCC members will be available in person at a Kiosk to be held from 9am to 4pm at the Kahnawake Services Complex lobby on Thursday, 29 Kentenhkó:wa/November.

Written and verbal feedback on this proposal will be accepted until Friday, 21 Tsothóhrha/December, 2012.