[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 240 (Monday, December 14, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80816-80817]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-27464]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of the Secretary

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Proposed Appointment to the National Indian Gaming Commission

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act provides for a three-person 
National Indian Gaming Commission. One member, the Chair, is appointed 
by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Two 
associate members are appointed by the Secretary of the Interior. 
Before appointing members, the Secretary is required to provide public 
notice of a proposed appointment and allow a comment period. Notice is 
hereby given of the proposed appointment of Jeannie Hovland as an 
associate member of the National Indian Gaming Commission for a term of 
3 years.

DATES: Submit comments on or before January 13, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to the Director, Office of the Executive 
Secretariat and Regulatory Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior, 
1849 C Street NW, Mail Stop 7328, Washington, DC 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Michael Hoenig, National Indian 
Gaming Commission, c/o Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street NW, 
Mail Stop 1621, Washington, DC 20240; telephone (202) 632-7003; 
facsimile (202) 632-7066.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, 25 U.S.C. 
2701 et. seq., established the National Indian Gaming Commission 
(Commission), composed of three full-time members. Commission members 
serve for a term of 3 years. The Chair is appointed by the President 
with the advice and consent of the Senate. The two associate members 
are appointed by the Secretary of the Interior. Before appointing an 
associate member to the Commission, the Secretary is required to 
``publish in the Federal Register the name and other information the 
Secretary deems pertinent regarding a nominee for membership on the 
Commission and . . . allow a period of not less than thirty days for 
receipt of public comments.'' See 25 U.S.C. 2704(b)(2)(B).
    The Secretary proposes to appoint Jeannie Hovland as an associate 
member of the Commission for a term of 3 years. Ms. Hovland is well 
qualified to be a member of the National Indian Gaming Commission by 
virtue of her extensive background and experience in a broad spectrum 
of Native American issues.
    Ms. Hovland is an enrolled member of the Flandreau Santee Sioux 
Tribe of South Dakota and currently serves as Commissioner of the 
Administration for Native Americans and Deputy Assistant Secretary for 
Native American Affairs at the Department of Health and Human Services 
(HHS). As Commissioner, Ms. Hovland provides effective oversight of a 
$57milllion annual operating budget to promote self-sufficiency for 
Native

[[Page 80817]]

Americans. She provides executive leadership of a diverse staff of 30 
employees and four regional training and technical assistant centers. 
During her time at HHS, Ms. Hovland created a $1 million funding 
opportunity designed to strengthen internal governance structures and 
capacity for tribes and tribal organizations. She also reestablished 
and Chairs the HHS Secretary's Intradepartmental Council on Native 
American Affairs, comprised of leadership across the Department.
    In her role as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Native American 
Affairs for the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), a large 
and diverse program office with an $8 billion annual operating budget, 
over 1700 employees, and 10 regional offices, Ms. Hovland provides 
expert and culturally appropriate advice to the Assistant Secretary in 
the formulation of policy views, positions, and strategies affecting 
Native Americans. She serves as the key liaison and representative of 
all ACF program and staff offices on behalf of the Assistant Secretary 
related to tribal and Native American Affairs.
    Prior to her appointment at HHS, Ms. Hovland served as senior 
advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs at the Department 
of the Interior. Ms. Hovland has also served as the tribal affairs 
advisor to Senator John Thune for more than 12 years. She played a key 
role in advocating for legislation at the request of Indian tribes on 
such issues as agriculture, services for law enforcement and veterans, 
and quality access to healthcare. She worked to develop legislation, 
such as the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 and the Code Talker 
Recognition Act of 2008.
    Prior to her time in public service, Hovland was CEO of Wanji 
Native Nations Consultants, which offered training services for Tribal 
programs and Tribal governments.
    Ms. Hovland does not have any financial interests that would make 
her ineligible to serve on the Commission under 25 U.S.C. 2704(b)(5)(B) 
or (C).
    Any person wishing to submit comments on the proposed appointment 
of Jeannie Hovland may submit written comments to the address listed 
above. Comments must be received by January 13, 2021.

    Dated: December 8, 2020.
David L. Bernhardt,
Secretary of the Interior.
[FR Doc. 2020-27464 Filed 12-11-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4334-63-P