The legislation generated by the Task Force on Tribal-State Relations created in 1996. It directed MITSC to 1) review the civil laws of the State of Maine to determine the manner and extent to which those laws, as enforced, constrict or impinge upon the best interests of children with respect to: traditional culture and way of life as practiced in tribal communities; the ability of tribes to regulate their members, lands, schools and other cultural institutions and communities; and the respect and dignity appropriately given to all individual citizens in the state and members of the tribes; 2) conduct the study over a period of 4 years notably considering in part the concerns that gave rise to the bill proposed by the Passamaquoddy Tribe to rescind section 6204 of the MIA; 3) report its findings 12/15/97, 12/15/98, and 12/15/00; and 4) convene an Annual Assembly of Governors and Chiefs;
