Government Relations and Tribal Codes
The Nordhaus Law Firm assists its tribal government clients working with state and federal agencies, state legislators, and Congress to obtain funding and favorable legislation for tribal programs. Executive branch agencies and Congress have sought and received our input in developing legislation and policies of major importance to our clients. We also provide services regarding monitoring, drafting, and analysis of legislative and regulatory initiatives. Our office in Washington, D.C. facilitates many of these activities, and ensures that we maintain close contact with government officials on matters affecting Native American policies and programs.
For example, on the federal level we have obtained legislation authorizing tribal water rights and other settlements, we have obtained funding and assistance for tribal oil and gas valuation and audit activities, and we have worked with various federal Departments and agencies on issues ranging from rights of way to drought relief appropriations. We have obtained funding from the Department of Energy for tribal energy projects and have successfully lobbied EPA on tribal jurisdictional issues. We currently are active participants on behalf of some of our clients in the Tribal Sovereignty Protection Initiative sponsored by the National Congress of American Indians and the Native American Rights Fund. In this regard we have contributed to the draft sovereignty legislation and to Supreme Court briefs on sovereignty protection and trust responsibility issues.
The firm also has a Santa Fe office that facilitates representation of clients before state agencies in New Mexico. In addition, the firm lobbies the New Mexico legislature on a variety of matters affecting our clients. The firm has helped draft and successfully lobbied for new state legislation in the areas of taxation, gaming, and reduced State regulation on Indian reservations, and has secured landmark legislation improving Native American electorial participation and early voting access.
The firm is directly involved with its tribal government clients in formulation of governmental policies and strategies, and in the drafting and implementation of tribal codes. The tribal codes concern tribal membership, environmental protection, reclamation, per capita distributions, game and fish management, business licensing, taxation, crimes, and motor vehicle and traffic issues. Our representation of tribal and pueblo governments also has included assistance in government infrastructure development, housing, and recreational facilities.
