STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
6628
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
March 6, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. JONES -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing the
office of Native American affairs
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The executive law is amended by adding a new article 15-D
2 to read as follows:
3 ARTICLE 15-D
4 OFFICE OF NATIVE AMERICAN AFFAIRS
5 Section 328-d. Office of Native American affairs.
6 328-e. General functions, powers and duties.
7 § 328-d. Office of Native American affairs. 1. There is hereby created
8 in the executive department an office of Native American affairs. The
9 head of the office shall be the commissioner of Native American affairs
10 who shall be appointed by the governor and who shall hold office at the
11 pleasure of the governor.
12 2. The commissioner shall receive an annual salary to be fixed by the
13 governor within the amount made available therefor by an appropriation
14 and shall be allowed such commissioner's actual and necessary expenses
15 in the performance of such commissioner's duties.
16 3. The commissioner shall direct the work of the office and shall be
17 the chief executive officer of the office. The commissioner may appoint
18 such officers and employees as such commissioner may deem necessary,
19 prescribe their duties, fix their compensation, and provide for the
20 reimbursement of their expenses, all within amounts made available
21 therefor by appropriation.
22 § 328-e. General functions, powers and duties. The office of Native
23 American affairs by and through the commissioner or such commissioner's
24 duly authorized officers and employees, shall:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03206-01-5
A. 6628 2
1 1. Act as a centralized office for Native American nations to access
2 information on state programs that are provided to Native Americans.
3 2. Develop and maintain cooperative relationships between New York
4 state's Native nations, Native organizations, Native American citizens,
5 and the state.
6 3. Establish, manage, coordinate, and facilitate Native American-re-
7 lated policies, positions, and programs.
8 4. Advise and assist state agencies in developing policies, plans, and
9 programs for Native Americans.
10 5. Serve as a connector for New York state's Native nations to other
11 state agencies and programs.
12 § 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
13 it shall have become a law.
