The Government and Veterans Affairs Committee voted 13-0 to pass House Bill 1199 as amended and referred the bill to the Appropriations Committee.

Why it matters: HB 1199 would create a task force to coordinate state efforts on missing and murdered Indigenous people. Committee members discussed committee composition and the administrative routing required before interim work can proceed.

Representative Brown summarized guidance from legislative counsel and federal coordination steps, noting that the bill must go to legislative management before being assigned to an interim committee. “They basically stated that it does have to go to legislative management first,” Brown said, asking colleagues to support the bill so the state can “build a better connection” for missing and murdered Indigenous individuals.

Members also discussed administration of the task force. One committee member read the bill language noting, “The attorney general shall serve as the chairman of the task force. The attorney general's office shall provide staff services for the task force,” indicating the attorney general’s office would be the administrative home for the group if the bill becomes law.

An amendment to the bill was approved in committee; the sponsor provided an informational email from Bill Peterson of the State Historical Society as context. The committee then moved the bill as amended; the motion to pass as amended was recorded and seconded on the floor, and the roll call showed unanimous support. Committee members named Representative Brown as the bill carrier for future proceedings.

Next steps: HB 1199 goes to the House Appropriations Committee for fiscal review and possible budget adjustments.