Existing law establishes within the office of the Governor, the office of the Governor’s Tribal Advisor, which is headed by the Governor’s Tribal Advisor who is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Governor.

This bill would, instead, establish within the Office of the Governor, the Office of Tribal Affairs (office), which is headed by the Secretary of Tribal Affairs who is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Governor, as specified. The bill would require each state agency that engages, or has programs, services, or responsibilities affecting tribal governments to, among other things, designate a tribal liaison, as described. The bill would require the office to be advised by a Tribal Advisory Committee, as described, and would require the committee to, among other things, provide recommendations and tribal perspectives to assist the office in strengthening government-to-government engagement and improving the design, access, and implementation of state programs and services affecting tribal governments. The bill would require the office to, among other things, support the implementation of consultation policies, facilitate direct engagement between state agencies and tribal governments, and provide training, guidance, and technical assistance to tribal liaisons and state agency personnel, as specified.