An act relating to settlement of certain land claims —
2023-06-09
· Calendar #1858
The New York State Senate passed legislation authorizing the Governor to settle a 41-year-old Mohawk land claim in Franklin and St. Lawrence counties, with a vote of 62-0. Senate Print 7566B, sponsored by Sen. Kennedy, resolves a dispute involving the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe (Akwesasne), two counties, and multiple towns that has been pending since 1982. The settlement framework was established through a 2014 memorandum of understanding between the state, St. Lawrence County, and the tribe, with Franklin County and other Mohawk plaintiffs joining settlement talks in subsequent years. A federal mediator was appointed in 2022, and the state and Franklin County reached agreement on key provisions reflected in County Resolution 188. The bill requires the final settlement signed by the Governor to remain "considerably consistent" with the 2014 MOU and Resolution 188, acknowledging that the final agreement may differ in some ways from the original framework. Sen. Kennedy credited Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins for bringing the bill to the floor, Assemblyman Billy Jones for his decade-long work on the issue, and Gov. Hochul for resolving the dispute. Sen. Stec, whose district includes Franklin County, echoed support and noted the settlement's importance to his constituents.
PASSED
Ayes: 62
· Nays: N/A
Debate Summary
Sen. Kennedy explained that the bill authorizes the Governor to execute an agreement settling the Mohawk land claim in Franklin and St. Lawrence counties, pending since 1982. The settlement framework was established through a 2014 memorandum of understanding between the state, St. Lawrence County, and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, with Franklin County and other Mohawk plaintiffs later joining talks. A federal mediator was appointed in 2022, and the state and Franklin County recently reached agreement on key provisions. Sen. Stec echoed support, noting the 41-year-old case involves two countries, two counties, several towns, and the Akwesasne/St. Regis Mohawks, and expressed relief that constituents in Franklin County would see this long-standing dispute resolved.