Cherokee tribal council votes to issue license tags, with revenue going to public

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) -- The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council on Monday voted unanimously to allow the tribe to issue its own motor vehicle license tags, revenues from which will benefit public schools within the tribe's jurisdiction.

The tribe's 200,000 members will be able to purchase car tags at a cost of $75 for a vehicle one to four years old, and as low as $10 for vehicles more than 17 years old. Thirty-eight percent of tag revenues will be given to schools in the 14 counties under tribal territory.

"That's what makes this bill unique among tribal tag laws,"

said David Mullon, the tribe's associate general counsel. "No other tribe shares revenue with local schools."

The Creek Nation, the Sac and Fox Nation and other tribes in Oklahoma already sell car tags.

If possible, Mullon said, the tribe could enter into a compact with the state to coordinate its motor vehicle licensing activities with those of the Oklahoma Tax Commission. The tribe also is working with state officials toward an agreement that would allow the tribal tags to be entered into a national database, officials said.

Chief Chad Smith was authorized to negotiate the compact, which would have to be approved by a tribal council resolution, with state officials.

By granting revenues to public schools, Mullon said, the tribe will be lessening the revenue impact on the state. Part of the money also is designated for Sequoyah High School near the tribal headquarters in Tahlequah.

The federally funded school receives no funds from the state automobile licensing revenues, he said.

"This legislation would not have made it if we did not share the revenues with the public schools," council member Charles Hoskin said. "The Cherokee Nation has always placed a high value on education."

To his knowledge, Mullon said, the Cherokee Nation is the first tribe in Oklahoma to offer to enter into a revenue-sharing agreement with the state to benefit public schools.

The act also provides that the tribe's Marshal Service and certain counties and municipalities within the tribe's jurisdictional area can be considered for inclusion in the distribution of revenues.

The tribe's tag system will go into effect no later than August, Mullon said.

Vehicles qualifying for the Cherokee Nation tags must belong to Cherokee Nation members and be located within the tribe's jurisdictional area, according to the legislation.

Most members reside in northeast Oklahoma.