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A. Principal Chief Vacancy. In the event of a vacancy to the office of the Principal Chief, the Assistant Principal Chief shall succeed to the office for the remaining portion of the four-year term to which the Principal Chief was elected, said succession subject to the provisions of this section.

B. Assistant Principal Chief Vacancy and Principal Chief Appointment. In the event of a vacancy to the office of Assistant Principal Chief, the Principal Chief shall appoint a successor to serve for the balance of the term, by and with the advice and consent of the Osage Nation Congress.

1. An Acting Assistant Principal Chief appointed by the Principal Chief under the provisions of this subsection shall not fill a vacancy in the office of Principal Chief unless first confirmed by the Osage Nation Congress as Assistant Principal Chief. If an Acting Assistant Principal Chief so appointed is not confirmed by the Osage Nation Congress by an affirmative majority of seven or more votes within fifteen (15) calendar days of a vacancy in the office of Principal Chief, the provisions of subsection (D) of this section apply, and the nomination of the Acting Assistant Principal Chief shall be considered rejected.

C. Principal Chief Absent or Unable to Perform Duties. Whenever for a period of six months, the Principal Chief has been continuously absent from office or unable to discharge the duties of the office by reason of mental or physical disability, the office shall be deemed vacant. Mental or physical disability shall be proven upon review and approval by Congressional resolution of an affidavit signed by two licensed physicians stating that the Principal Chief is unable to perform his or her duties due to mental or physical disability, and has been so disabled for at least six months.

D. Speaker to Act as Principal Chief. If the Principal Chief’s office becomes vacant, and the Assistant Principal Chief is unable to succeed to the office or act as Principal Chief, the Speaker of the Osage Nation Congress shall act as Principal Chief. Upon taking the position of Acting Principal Chief, the Speaker shall be empowered and obligated by law to schedule an election to fill any vacant elected positions in the Executive Branch; provided, that more than one hundred eighty (180) calendar days would pass before the next General Election. While serving as Acting Principal Chief, the Speaker shall refrain from voting or debate in the Osage Nation Congress. While serving as Acting Principal Chief, the Speaker’s absence in the Osage Nation Congress shall not constitute a vacancy. ONCA 17-107, eff. Oct. 4, 2017.