Office of Tribal Affairs

The law formalizes state government’s relationships with California tribal governments by requiring agency liaisons and consultation policies. It also gives tribal leaders an advisory role in improving state programs and access.

What the law does ​

• Creates the Office of Tribal Affairs in the Governor’s Office, led by a Governor-appointed Secretary of Tribal Affairs who must be an enrolled member of a federally recognized California tribe.
• Requires state agencies affecting tribal governments to appoint high-level tribal liaisons, notify the office of liaison changes, and adopt tribal consultation policies.
• Creates a nine-member Tribal Advisory Committee of tribal chairs, appointed from northern, central, and southern California tribal nominations.
• Directs the office and committee to review consultation practices, identify barriers to tribal access to state programs and funding, and recommend coordinated improvements.
• Requires the office to support agency consultation, train agency staff and liaisons, track compliance, and publish current liaison contacts and consultation policies online.

Who it affects ​

• California Indian tribal governments and their elected leaders.
• State agencies, departments, boards, and commissions with programs, services, or responsibilities affecting tribal governments.
• Tribal liaisons and state personnel responsible for tribal engagement.

Context ​

The Tribal Advisory Committee advises but does not replace formal consultation or approve state agency actions.