Navajo Nation Code (2009) & Uncodified Amendments
This page was last updated on April 29, 2024.
Introduction
Navajo Nation resolutions are passed by the 24-member Navajo Nation Council and its standing committees, then given to the Navajo Nation President for signature, upon which they become law. Permanent laws (enactments and amendments) are normally directed by the Council to be codified in the Navajo Nation Code, which is arranged by subject matter in 26 “Titles.” There are 5 standing committees: Naabik’íyáti’ Committee; Budget and Finance Committee (BFC); Health, Education and Human Services Committee (HEHSC); Law and Order Committee (LOC); and Resources and Development Committee (RDC).
On this page, we set forth the index of the 26 titles of the N.N.C.; break down the Code into accessible portions (by title); and link to amendments that our project’s law students were able to find through February 5, 2023. We are developing links to regulations.
Urgently Needed – An Updated Navajo Nation Code
As of February 5, 2023, the Navajo Nation Code (N.N.C.) is current only through 2009. Hard copies of this N.N.C. are difficult to obtain. The Navajo Nation Council have enacted numerous amendments and new laws since 2010 that are not codified. A 2014-2022 Legislative Summary Sheet of uncodified amendments in resolution form has been made available by Navajo Nation Legislative Services without the resolutions themselves linked. An index of uncodified amendments by title and resolution number only appears also to have begun being compiled also without links as of June 12, 2023.
Date of resolutions: The last 2 numbers of each resolution indicate the year a resolution was introduced. E.g. CO-71-18 means the resolution was introduced in 2018. If there is more than one resolution amending the same law, the current law is the latest amendment.
The Diné Nihi Keyah Project has tasked our Pace University and Arizona University law students to break up the massive unnumbered chunks of the online Navajo Nation Code into accessible title sections, and to find, copy and informally index resolutions since 2009 that amend codified laws or enact new laws. The codified law and uncodified amendments to each Title are linked below. We hope this page is helpful to everyone.
We urge the Navajo Nation government to prioritize providing an up-to-date and indexed codification of all enacted laws. Our laws govern and impact the shape of the Navajo Nation and our very lives. Without even being able to find our laws as a whole, the Diné people cannot control our way of life. Without knowledge and access, the people fend for ourselves with deepening disputes, conflicts, and even accusations, as if there are no laws. The people cannot challenge and question what our government has done. Most vital for future generations, we cannot envision reforms for stewardship of our land.
The index below includes codified Navajo Nation law until 2009, and uncodified amendments from 2010 forward.
INDEX to the Navajo Nation Code (2009)
and Uncodified Amendments since 2009
Sources: Navajo Nation Office of Legislative Services and Navajo Nation Council. See also 2014-2022 Legislative Summary Sheet
Title 1 Code Section (only through 2009) – 63 pages.
Included in this section are these foundational tribal laws:
- Bill of Rights
- Diné bi beenahaz’áanii – Foundation of Diné, Law and Government. The Navajo Nation Supreme Court addressed the immutable nature of Diné bi beenahaz’áanii in-depth in Office of the President v. the Navajo Nation Council, or Shirley v. Morgan SC-CV-02-10 (Nav. Sup. Ct. June 2, 2010).
Uncodified Amendments since 2009:
- CF-12-10 veto override Legislative Counsel Amendments Act overriding veto of CJA-06-10
- CO-71-18 amends the Navajo Sovereign Immunity Act and Kayenta Township Home Rule
Title 2 Code Section (only through 2009) – 272 pages
Navajo Nation Supreme Court opinions:
- The ultimate power to govern the Nation always remains with the People. See In re Two Initiative Petitions Filed by Shirley, SC-CV-41-08 (Nav. Sup. Ct. July 18, 2008), aff’d Office of the President v. the Navajo Nation Council, or Shirley v. Morgan SC-CV-02-10 (June 2, 2010).
- The Council may not re-define the Fundamental Law of the Navajo Nation to include man-made law. Diné bi beenahaz’áanii, the Fundamental Laws, are immutable. Office of the President v. the Navajo Nation Council, or Shirley v. Morgan SC-CV-02-10 (June 2, 2010).
- Navajo Garnishment Act Rules of Procedure (N.G.A.R.P.) for garnishment proceedings under the Navajo Nation Ethics in Government Law Garnishment Act of 2005, codified at 2 N.N.C. §§ 3800-3810, by by Order No. SC-SP-01-13.
Uncodified Amendments since 2009:
- CF-12-10 veto override Legislative Counsel Amendments Act of 2010
- CJN-24-10 Special Prosecutor Act
- CO-39-10 defines “veteran”
- CJA-05-11 Rules of Order for Standing Committees of the Navajo Nation Council not for codification
- CJA-06-11 Nábik’iyáti’ Committee
- CAP-10-11 reduces the Navajo Nation Council from 88 to 24
- CJY-27-11 amends the Navajo-Hopi Commission Act
- CO-39-11 increases HEHSC meetings
- CJA-03-13 override of veto amends Navajo Nation Council powers by enacting the Title 2 Reform Act of 2012
- CAP-12-13 amends Public Safety Plan of Operations
- CAP-13-13 amends Dept of Transportation Plan of Operations
- CJY-30-13 includes universities under HEHSC oversight
- CJY-39-13 Navajo Nation Council Rules of Order not for codification
- CO-51-13 911 Emergency Response system
- CO-52-13 amends NNOLS plan of operations
- CJA-01-14 amends Law & Order Committee meetings
- CO-50-14 enabling the Navajo Nation Dept. of Health
- CAP-14-15 Diné Uranium Remediation Advisory Commission
- CJY-27-15 changes presidential administrative duties after his or her term ended, but before the new president is sworn in
- CMY-17-15 amends Ethics in Government law and election code
- CO-44-15 increases number of regular voting members of the Navajo-Hopi Land Commission from eight to nine voting members
- CJA-1-16 changes HEHSC meeting days
- CJA-3-16 Veterans Administration and Advisory Council
- CAP-19-17 amends deadline for actions on Ethics notices
- CAP-25-17 amends NNOLS laws and policies
- CAP-26-17 enabling Youth Advisory Council
- CJY-41-17 changes RDC meeting day
- CAP-37-18 amending per diem provisions
- CD-81-18 Department of Medical Examiners and procedures (and deletes coroner provisions
- CJA-01-18 amends provisions regarding agreements not requiring Council approval § 164(B)
- CJY-55-18 Veterans Housing Program
- CJY-66-18 Navajo Nation Peace Officer Standards and Training Certification Act
- CO-71-18 amends the Navajo Sovereign Immunity Act and Kayenta Township Home Rule
- CJY-25-19 changes HEHSC meeting day
- CD-91-20 overrride of veto amends Navajo-Hopi Land Commission
- CD-92-20 override of veto amends Commission and Office of Navajo Government Development
- CS-68-20 override of veto amends President’s line-item veto authority
- CO-59-21 transfers transit system from the Navajo Division of General Services to Navajo Division of Transportation § 1252(B)(8)-(9)
- CJY-58-23 Changes the meeting day for Health, Education and Human Services Committee
Title 3 Code Section (only through 2009) – 143 pages
Uncodified Amendments since 2009:
- CD-76-14 Navajo Nation Farm Board Plan of Operation Act of 2014
- CO-51-16 allocate funds for compensation to District Grazing Committee members
- CO-61-17 amends the Major Irrigation Projects Farm Boards Plan of Operation
- CJY-64-18 dog and cat control laws and laws related to the injury and killing of livestock
Title 4 Code Section (only through 2009) – 282 pages
Uncodified Amendments since 2009:
- CJA-09-12 Navajo Nation Underground and Above Ground Storage Act of 2012
Regulations (developing)
- RDCJN-56-17 Amended regulations for Navajo Nation Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act
- RDCF-19-18 Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency Regulations; penalties for violations of Storage Tank Act
- RDCJN-18-20 Navajo Nation Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act Regulations
Title 5 Code Section (only through 2009) – 383 pages
Uncodified Amendments since 2009:
- CAP-21-10 amends the Navajo Nation Limited Liability Company & Partnership Acts
- CJY-38-13 amendments to facilitate use of federal funds for Navajo Nation airports
- CD-63-14 override of veto authorizing Low-Profit Limited Liability Companies under L.L.C. Act
- CO-56-16 classifies NECA as a Priority One tribal enterprise
- CO-72-18 alters the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise Board’s composition and qualifications
- CO-76-18 Navajo Gaming Ordinance Amendment Act of 2018
- RDCO-056-19 Navajo Engineering and Construction Authority (NECA) Plan of Operation
- CO-81-23 Amending Navajo Nation Business Opportunity Act and Procurement Act
Regulations:
- EDCF-11-08 Uniform Business Site Leasing Regulations
- RDCD-93-15 Business License Regulations; delegation of authority to NNDED
- RDCMY-53-17 Amended Business License Regulations allowing for adoption of rules
Title 5A Code Section (only through 2009) – 509 pages
Uncodified Amendments since 2009: None
Title 6 Code Section (only through 2009) – 67 pages
Uncodified Amendments since 2009:
Title 7 Code Section (only through 2009) – 93 pages
Uncodified Amendments since 2009:
- CJN-24-10 (override of veto) Special Prosecutor Amendment Act of 2010
- CJY-29-13 amends extradition and detention provisions in Title 7 and 17
- CO-42-15 requires Supreme Court justices to hold a J.D. degree
Title 9 Code Section (only through 2009) – 130 pages
Uncodified Amendments since 2009:
- CO-38-11 Navajo Nation Álchíní Bi Beehaz’áannii Act (Children’s Code)
- CJA-02-12 Navajo Nation Vulnerable Adult Protection Act of 2011
- CMY-30-14 Navajo Nation Adult Guardianship Act of 2014
- CJA-05-21 amends the Navajo Nation Child Enforcement Act
- CJY-44-21 amends the Navajo Nation Child Support Enforcement Act
Regulations:
- HEHSCMY-13-19 Amended regulations for family foster/group home standards
Title 10 Code Section (only through 2009) – 83 pages
Uncodified Amendments since 2009:
Title 11 Code Section (only through 2009) – 98 pages
Uncodified Amendments since 2009:
- CAP-23-10 changes name of Standing Rock Chapter to Tse’ Ii’Ahi
- CAP-13-11 changes name of Birdsprings Chapter to Tsidi To’ii
- CJA-01-12 changes date of primary election
- CJA-06-12 allows HEHSC to extend the date of school board approvals
- CMY-38-12 authorizes 4 Terms for School Board positions
- CAP-24-12 extends time for absentee/mail-in ballots
- CO-54-13 extends voter registration date
- CO-56-13 establishes Petition Initiative fees
- CO-59-13 amends absentee voting and delegates rule-making
- CJA-02-14 clarifies candidate qualifications and delegates rule-making
- CJY-27-15 changes presidential administrative duties after his or her term ended, but before the new president is sworn in
- CAP-28-17 shortens election candidate filing and review period
- CN-79-18 changes election policy for recall petitions
- CD-87-18 amends election dispute provisions
- CD-50-19 override of veto amends Special Election provisions
- CD-51-19 override of veto amends removal provisions of Election Code and OHA procedures
- CO-44-19 changes election days
- CJA-11-22 amends voter registration deadline (40 days, instead of 30 days, before the next primary
Title 12 Code Section (only through 2009) – 132 pages
Uncodified Amendments since 2009:
- CD-43-09 Bond Financing Act Amendments of 2009
- BFMY-15-10 amends the Navajo Nation Road Fund Management Plan
- CAU-34-11 amendments relevant to Office of the Controller
- CO-44-11 amendments relevant to Appropriations
- CAP-29-12 amends Business and Industrial Development Fund Act of 2012
- CJY-41-12 amends the Diné Higher Education Grant Fund Act
- CJY-43-13 amends Gaming Development Fund
- CS-48-13 amendments providing for construction and repair of veteran homes
- BFAP-12-15 requires the Controller to be a certified Public Accountant § 202
- CO-54-16 Navajo Nation Permanent Fund Five-Year Contingency Fund
- CD-74-17 override of veto Navajo Nation Veterans Trust Fund Income Act
- CJA-06-17 amends Capital Outlay Match Funding Special Revenue Fund policies
- CJY-45-17 increases annual fund distributions from the Diné Higher Education Grant Fund
- CJY-49-17 amends Bond Financing Act
- CS-52-17 amends Appropriations Act and Navajo Preference in Employment Act
- CJA-02-18 amends Veterans Trust Fund
- CJA-03-18 amends the Navajo Nation Sihasin Fund
- CO-73-18 allows the Controller to close internal accounts once the account reaches zero balance § 203
- CD-54-19 provides chapter officials stipends on equal basis, regardless of percentage of registered voters in the chapter
- CMY-44-20 Navajo Nation CARES Fund
- CAP-24-21 establishes fund for benefit of proceeds from Navajo Nation v. DOI (No. 14-CV-1909 (TSC)
- CJY-41-21 Navajo National Fiscal Recovery Fund (and other fiscal policy changes)
- CJY-46-21 restructures distribution provisions in Navajo Veterans Housing Program
- CD-72-22 limiting appropriations carryovers by amending § 820(N)
- CJA-13-22 Diné Relocatee Fund
- CJY-70-23 Amendment to the Navajo Nation Veterans Trust Fund
- CO-81-23 Amending Navajo Nation Business Opportunity Act and Procurement Act
Regulations:
- BFMY-07-23 Navajo Nation Procurement Rules and Regulations, amended (incl. to allow for Micro-Purchases of $10,000 or less)
Title 13 Code Section (only through 2009) – 286 pages
Highlighted: 13 NNC 3251-3271 NNHRRB (Navajo Nation Human Research Review Board)
Uncodified Amendments since 2009:
Title 15 Code Section (only through 2009) – 125 pages
Uncodified Amendments since 2009:
- CJA-03-12 Navajo Nation Workers Compensation Act of 2011
- CJA-05-13 amends workers compensation provisions
- CJY-35-13 authorizing amendments to Navajo Technical University articles of incorporation
- CJY-38-13 amendments to facilitate use of federal funds for Navajo Nation airports
- CO-48-14 adding grievance procedure to the Navajo Preference in Employment Act
- CMA-13-16 amends Navajo Preference in Employment Act
- CJY-42-16 restructures Navajo Nation Labor Commission qualifications
- CO-58-16 authorizes Navajo Technical University to amend its articles of incorporation
- CS-52-17 amends the Appropriations Act and Navajo Preference in Employment Act
- CO-60-17 amends Navajo Preference in Employment Act
Title 16 Code Section (only through 2009) – 68 pages
Uncodified Amendments since 2009:
- CO-53-13 Navajo Nation General Leasing Regulations of 2013 – searchable version with BIA approval
- CAU-44-16 Navajo Nation Land Acquisition Act
Regulations:
- RDCJN-33-15 Administrative Rules and Regulations for Land Withdrawals
- RDCJA-07-16 Amended Homesite Lease Regulations to include land buy-back and BIA residential leases (allotments)
- RDCO-74-16 Amended Homesite Lease Regulations establishing fund, fee schedule, compliance officers, forms
- RDCO-78-16 Land Acquisition Rules and Regulations
- RDCMY-53-18 Amended Homesite Lease Regulations to waive fees for elders and veterans
- RDCJN-17-20 Regulations for uniform rights-of-way process for NTUA utilities; allowing waivers of compensation for commercial rights-of-way
Title 17 Code Section (only through 2009) – 169 pages
Uncodified Amendments since 2009:
- CD-56-10 Navajo Nation Cross-Commission Agreement Act of 2010
- CJA-04-12 2011 Navajo Nation Violence Against Family Act
- CAP-28-12 Navajo Nation Sex Offender Registration & Notification Act of 2012
- CJY-40-12 amendments in relation to intoxicating liquors
- CJN-27-13 amendments in relation to intoxicating liquors
- CJY-29-13 amends extradition and detention provisions
- CJN-31-14 amends Navajo Nation Sex Offender Registration & Notification Act of 2012
- CN-52-14 amends Criminal Code sentencing provisions
- CJA-11-16 amends the Navajo Nation Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act of 2012
- CJY-38-16 amends the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act
- CJY-48-17 enacts laws against human trafficking
- CO-59-17 amends statutes of limitations for offenses, definitions of Navajo Nation, and other Criminal Code provisions
- CAP-43-18 Revenge Porn Act
- CJA-09-18 amendments to address cyberbullying
- CJY-66-18 Navajo Nation Peace Officer Standards and Training Certification Act
- CO-75-18 Controlled Substance Definition Act of 2018
- CD-81-18 Dept of Medical Examiners and procedures (and deletes coroner provisions
- CMY-37-20 override of veto Excessive Pricing During a Declared State of Emergency
- CS-76-20 establishes civil forfeiture provisions for marijuana growing and possession
- CAP-16-22 establishes criminal penalties for vicious dogs and other dangerous animals running at large
- CAU-77-23 Navajo Nation Victim’s Rights Act of 2023
- CJY-69-23 Amendment to sex offenders registration and notification Act
Regulations (developing)
- LOCS-19-18 Amended regulations for Judicial Conduct Commission Plan of Operations
Title 18 Code Section (only through 2009) – 58 pages
Uncodified Amendments since 2009:
Title 21 Code Section (only through 2009) – 68 pages
Uncodified Amendments since 2009:
- CAP-18-10 amends Plan of Operations for Navajo Tribal Utility Authority
- CO-51-13 911 Emergency Response System
- CD-52-19 override of veto increases Navajo Tribal Utility Authority debt limit
Title 22 Code Section (only through 2009) – 85 pages
Uncodified Amendments since 2009:
- CAP-27-12 Navajo Nation Safe Drinking Water Act of 2012
Regulations:
- RDCMY-24-15 Amended regulations for Navajo Nation Safe Drinking Water Act
- RDCJN-56-17 Amended regulations for Navajo Nation Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act
- RDCO-79-18 Amended Navajo Nation Primary Drinking Water Regulations
- RDCS-21-22 Departmental Administrative Rules and Regulations; Delegating authority to NLD Manager to grant rights-of-way on trust and fee lands
Title 23 Code Section (only through 2009) – 10 pages
Uncodified Amendments since 2009: None found
Title 24 Code Section (only through 2009) – 93 pages
Uncodified Amendments since 2009:
- CJY-31-10 Tobacco Products Tax and Licensing Act Amendments of 2010
- CO-46-12 Navajo Nation Sales Tax Distribution Reform Act of 2012
- CN-54-14 Healthy Diné Nations Act of 2014
- CJY-31-15 “Alcohol Tax”
- CO-62-17 establishes a Fund for the NTUA from the Navajo Nation’s Sales Tax
- CJA-07-18 allocates 1 percent of the sales tax to Navajo Nation Fire and Rescue Services
- CJA-12-18 Uniform Local Tax Code
- CO-74-18 override of veto increase Navajo Nation Sales Tax to 6%, allocating 1% to Fire & Rescue Services
- CJN-48-20 Alters vote requirement for enacting sales tax ordinances by certified chapters
- CD-96-20 amends the Healthy Diné Nation Act of 2014; §§ 1001-1024
- CS-45-22 amends the Hotel Occupancy Tax; allows all revenue in the Tourism Fund to be used by any Navajo Nation programs for tourism-related purposes
- CAP-16-23 rescinds CS-45-22; amends the Hotel Occupancy Tax; allows revenue in the HOT/Tourism Fund to be used by all Navajo Nation Programs for tourism-related purposes
Local Governance Act (Title 26) with subindex as amended April 2021 (21 pages)
Also see:
- CAP-34-98 enacting the LGA on April 27, 1998 (includes exhibits of previous resolutions, proposed amendments and strategic analysis of the proposed LGA).
- CN-50-10 amends chapter officials compensation
- Chapter Fiscal Policies-Manual 2011
- FY2024 Chapter Budget Procedures
Uncodified Amendments: None