A. The Osage Nation Congress finds that there is an economic need for the Osage Nation to establish a Tribal Utility Authority to regulate utility services to consumers located within the geographical boundaries of the Osage Nation.

B. The power to regulate utilities is an inherent and essential part of the authority of any tribal government. This power is an inherent aspect of the retained sovereignty of the Osage Nation except where it has been limited or withdrawn by federal law.

C. The purpose of this Act is to create the Osage Nation Utility Authority and to delegate to it the powers and authority necessary to accomplish the provisions of this Act. ONCA 13-41, eff. Apr. 23, 2013; ONCA 14-43, eff. May 30, 2014.