Q&A With Legislative Branch Staff - Hanna Valento

By DIBIKWE, VALERIE HARRINGTON-WIND, CHIEF COMMUNICATION OFFICER

1. What is your title and what are your duties?

Title: Revisor of Statutes Duties: drafting legislation and reviewing it with elected officials, codifying law, create Official Acts and Band Statute books on an annual basis, sign off on Orders (executive, secretarial, legislative, commissioner) and Opinions of the Solicitor as to numbering and form, keep original orders and opinions, and update the Tribal Register.

2. What does working in legislative mean to you and what do you value most about your engagement with legislative branch and Band members?

Working in legislative is more than a job. I truly enjoy my job and could talk about it for hours. I value Band member and Band employee engagement the most. As we keep drafting legislation and keep putting them out for public comments, the more comments we receive. And the more comments we receive, the more work we have to do with the elected officials to go through the comments, but the laws are for the people and that engagement means everything.

3. What motivates you in working in the legislative branch?

I’m constantly motivated, even by the little things. Within two years, we have made so many positive impacts, such as live-streaming, the tribal register, amending laws, creating a weekly meetings schedule, and being more transparent. I think this schedule and this motivation is here to stay, making the possibility of updating laws that much easier.

4. What is something significant that you are proud of accomplishing with the legislative branch?

I am most proud of the tribal register. I started compiling documents in May of 2021 and it took me until December to get everything we have (minus what’s down in archives) scanned onto our hard drives and uploaded onto the website. It has been one of the most tedious tasks I’ve ever had, but one of the most rewarding outcomes. From it, we are starting to see more discussions, better legal analysis, and a historical record. In my opinion, nothing can beat it... except maybe live-streaming.

5. How would you describe the legislative branch to a Band member that may not know about the branch?

I would first ask if they can come into legislative, because I would love to give a tour and visually show them what we do. The legislative branch is where the laws are created. The process of creating a law is a long road of workshops, public comment period, formal public hearing (if applicable), and action from the Chief Executive. The Band Assembly also approves resolutions, contracts, legislative orders, and more.

6. Is there anything else you would like to share with Band members about you or the legislative branch?

I have never enjoyed a job so much and I would encourage anyone to ask questions as the process of legislating can be confusing. Also, we update the tribal register constantly and that is where you can find notices regarding public comment periods for draft bills, so check that webpage often! Last, Band members get free statute books and Official Acts, so if you want one, please email me at hanna.valento@millelacsband. com.