The 24TH NAVAJO NATION COUNCIL
Office of the Speaker

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2020

24-member Naabik’íyáti’ Committee advances 3 override legislation to full Council

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency-related veto-override legislation items were advanced to the Navajo Nation Council on Thursday, Apr. 30 by the 24-member Naabik’íyáti’ Committee.

According to Navajo law, a vetoed Council resolution must be overridden by a new resolution. Discussion on the override is allowed at the Naabik’íyáti’ Committee and if passed, the overridden legislation goes straight to a vote at either a regular or special session of the Navajo Nation Council.

The Naabik’íyáti’ Committee voted on Legislation No. 0101-20 to override a presidential veto of Navajo Nation Council Resolution No. CAP-18-20. The legislation, sponsored by Council Delegate Jamie Henio, would authorize Navajo Nation boards and commissions under the Legislative Branch to conduct meetings through telecommunication methods. The approval is a temporary suspension of Title Two provisions of the Navajo Nation Code. The committee voted 18 in favor, 3 opposed, and 1 excused with Speaker not voting.

Legislation No. 0102-20 is to override the presidential veto of Navajo Nation Council Resolution No. CAP-19-20, sponsored by Council Delegate Amber Kanazbah Crotty, which temporarily suspends Title 26 sections to allow Chapter meetings to be held through teleconference or videoconference. This override would allow chapters to address emergency matters in total compliance with guidelines outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Delegates did not pose any questions on the override legislation before voting to advance it to the full Council by a vote of 21 in favor, 0 opposed, and 1 excused with Speaker not voting.

Legislation No. 0103-20 will override the presidential veto of Navajo Nation Council Resolution No. CAP-17-20, sponsored by Council Delegate Eugenia Charles-Newton. If approved by the Navajo Nation Council the override will establish penalties for businesses on the Nation that engage in excessive pricing, or ‘price gouging.’ The legislation will add protections for Navajo consumers throughout the remainder of the Navajo Nation state of emergency. The override was advanced to the full Council by a vote of 18 in favor, 3 opposed, and 1 excused with Speaker not voting.

The 24th Navajo Nation Council will convene tomorrow, May 1, 2020 for a special session to be held via teleconferencing and live-streaming methods. The public may access the livestream on the Navajo Nation Council’s YouTube webpage at: www.youtube.com/navajonationcouncil.