2102 Findings

(A) On July 22, 2023, the citizens of the Upper Mattaponi Tribe ("Tribe") overwhelmingly voted to adopt a new constitution ("Constitution") to assert the Tribe's sovereign authority as a federally-recognized Indian tribe; and,

(B) The Constitution vests the Council with the authority to enact laws and budget resolutions; and,

(C) The Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of government find it necessary to enter into contracts from time to time for services and supplies for their respective branches in order to fulfill their duties and responsibilities; and,

(D) The Legislature finds the need to authorize officials from each branch of government to enter into contracts that are authorized by law in accordance with funds appropriated for such purposes within an approved budget.