Navajo Nation Council
| 23rd Navajo Nation Council | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Leadership | |
|
Lorenzo Bates
|
|
| Seats | 24 Delegates |
| Elections | |
|
Last election
|
November 4, 2014 |
|
Next election
|
November 6, 2018 |
| Meeting place | |
 |
|
| Navajo Nation Council Chamber | |
| Website | |
| http://www.navajonationcouncil.org/ | |
The Navajo Nation Council is the legislative branch of the Navajo Nation government. The council meets four times per year, with additional special sessions, at the Navajo Nation Council Chamber, in Window Rock, Arizona.
The council is composed of 24 district delegates, or councilors, chosen by direct election, who represent 110 municipal chapters within the states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. Delegates must be members of the Navajo Nation and be at least twenty-five years of age. Delegate offices are at the Navajo Nation governmental campus in Window Rock.
The council selects a speaker, chosen from among all delegates, to preside over the day-to-day functions of the council for a two-year term.
As codified in Section 101 of the Navajo Nation Code: (2 N.N.C. § 101(A)) The Legislative Branch shall consist of the Navajo Nation Council and any entity established under the Navajo Nation Council. (2 N.N.C § 101(B)) The Legislative Branch shall not be amended unless approved by majority of all registered Navajo voters through a referendum.
(2 N.N.C. § 102 (B-G)) The Navajo Nation Council reserves all powers not delegated and supervises those that are delegated; has the power to discipline and regulate the conduct of its members; has the authority to promulgate rules, regulations, and procedures for the conduct of its meetings and of its committees; confirms the appointments of all division directors upon recommendation from the appropriate oversight committee; and shall establish standing committees and delegate such authority to such committees as it deems necessary and proper.
§1006 of the Navajo Code instructs that should vacancy occur in the Office of President and Vice President, the Speaker shall serve as President of the Navajo Nation until a special election is held. The Code further states that the Speaker shall then act concurrently as Speaker and President, and that the speakership shall not be considered vacated.
The delegates to the 23rd, and current, Navajo Nation Council were inaugurated at Ft. Defiance, AZ, on January 13, 2015. Lorenzo Bates (T'iistoh Sikaad, Nenahnezad, Upper Fruitland, Tse' Daa' Kaan, Newcomb, San Juan)—elected January 26, 2015, to a two-year term—is the current Speaker of the Council and leader of the legislative branch.
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