The New Mexico House voted 50-4 on Thursday to create a Cabinet-level Indian Affairs Department.

The bill provides $527,000 to fund the department, which would have two divisions. One would be administrative, the other would handle programs.

A similar bill is pending in the Senate. The difference is in the naming of the tribal leaders who will advise the department.

The state already has a law that elevated the Indian Affairs director to the Cabinet level.

Get the Story:
House creates cabinet-level Indian Affairs Department (The Farmington Daily Times 2/6)

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