Relating to: a lifetime license that authorizes an individual to teach an American Indian language in an American Indian language program and modifying rules promulgated by the Department of Public Instruction. (FE)

AB 109 modifies state teaching license rules to require tribal approval for lifetime licenses in American Indian language programs. It mandates that the Department of Public Instruction cannot issue such licenses without written approval from the associated federally recognized tribe, which must review applicants' language skills. Tribes can endorse qualified applicants for lifetime licenses or recommend renewal of standard licenses instead. This directly affects teachers seeking lifetime credentials in tribal language programs and the Department's licensing process. The bill ensures tribal nations have authority over who teaches their languages in state-supported programs.