Oneida Business Committee (2026)

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Oneida Nation

Oneida Business Committee

Legislative Operating Committee

000000

PO Box 365 • Oneida, WI 54155‐0365

ONEIDA

Oneida‐nsn.gov

LEGISLATIVE OPERATING COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA REVISED

Business Committee Conference Room - 2nd Floor Norbert Hill Center

January 7, 2026

9:00 a.m.

Call to Order and Approval of the Agenda

II.

Minutes to be Approved

1. December 17, 2025 LOC Meeting Minutes (pg. 2)

III.

Current Business

1. Petition: K. Schultz – General Welfare Assistance Payment to Membership #2025-03 (pg. 5)

IV.

New Submissions

1. Petition: G. Powless- Buenrostro - Accountability Measure Options for BC and BCC's

#2025-04 (pg. 18)

2. Petition: G. Powless- Buenrostro - Amend the Administrative Rule Making Law #2025-05 (pg. 19)

Additions

VI.

Administrative Updates

VII.

Executive Session

VIII. Recess/Adjourn

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Oneida Nation

Oneida Business Committee

Legislative Operating Committee

OODDDO

PO Box 365 • Oneida, WI 54155‐0365

ONEIDA

Oneida‐nsn.gov

LEGISLATIVE OPERATING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

Oneida Business Committee Conference Room-2nd Floor Norbert Hill Center

December 17, 2025

9:00 a.m.

Present: Jameson Wilson, Jonas Hill, Kirby Metoxen, Marlon Skenandore

Excused: Jennifer Webster

Others Present: Grace Elliott, Carolyn Salutz

Others Present on Microsoft Teams: Clorissa Leeman, Melissa Alvarado, Diane Wilson,

Kaylynn Biely, Laura Laitinen-Warren, Peggy Helm-Quest, Debra Powless, Rae Skenandore,

Rhiannon Metoxen, Fawn Billie, Fawn Cottrell, Jesse Kujawa, Tavia James-Charles, Sarah Miller,

Michelle Tipple, Katsitsiyo Danforth

Call to Order and Approval of the Agenda

Jameson Wilson called the December 17, 2025, Legislative Operating Committee meeting

to order at 9:00 a.m.

Motion by Jonas Hill to adopt the agenda; seconded Marlon Skenandore. Motion carried

unanimously.

II.

Minutes to be Approved

1. December 3, 2025 LOC Meeting Minutes

Motion by Jonas Hill to approve the December 3, 2025, LOC meeting minutes and forward

to the Oneida Business Committee; seconded by Kirby Metoxen. Motion carried

unanimously.

III.

Current Business

1. Higher Education Scholarship Law

Motion by Jonas Hill to accept the public comments and public comment memorandum

and defer to a work meeting for further consideration; seconded by Marlon Skenandore.

Motion carried unanimously.

2. Real Property Law Amendments

Motion by Kirby Metoxen to accept the public comments and public comment

memorandum and defer to work meeting for further consideration; seconded by Jonas Hill.

Motion carried unanimously.

GOOOQO;

A good mind. A good heart. A strong fire.

Legislative Operating Committee Meeting Minutes of December 17, 2025

Page 1 of 3

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3. Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping Law Amendments

Motion by Jonas Hill to approve the adoption packet for the proposed amendment to the

Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping Law and forward to the Oneida Business Committee for

consideration; seconded by Marlon Skenandore. Motion carried unanimously.

4. Public Use of Tribal Land Law Amendments

Motion by Jonas Hill to approve the updated public comment review memorandum, draft,

and legislative analysis; seconded by Marlon Skenandore. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Jonas Hill to approve the Fiscal Impact Statement request memorandum and

forward to the Finance Department to be completed and submitted to the Legislative

Operating Committee by January 15, 2026; seconded by Marlon Skenandore. Motion

carried unanimously.

5. Recycling and Solid Waste Disposal Law Amendments

Motion by Marlon Skenandore to approve the public meeting packet and schedule a public

meeting for the proposed Recycling and Solid Waste Disposal Law Amendments to be held

on February 12, 2026; seconded by Jonas Hill. Motion carried unanimously.

6. Independent Contractors Policy Amendments

Motion by Jonas Hill to accept the updated public comment review memorandum, draft,

legislative analysis and approve the fiscal impact statement request memorandum and

forward to the Finance Department directing that a fiscal impact statement be prepared and

submitted to the LOC by January 5, 2026; seconded by Marlon Skenandore. Motion carried

unanimously.

7. Workplace Violence Law Amendments

Motion by Jonas Hill to approve the adoption packet for the proposed amendment to the

Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping Law and forward to the Oneida Business Committee for

consideration; seconded by Marlon Skenandore. Motion carried unanimously.

8. Budget and Finances Law Amendments

Motion by Jonas Hill to approve the public meeting packet and schedule a public meeting

for the proposed Budget and Finances Law Amendments to be held on February 12, 2026;

seconded by Marlon Skenandore. Motion carried unanimously.

IV.

New Submissions

Additions

VI.

Administrative Updates

VII.

Executive Session

Legislative Operating Committee Meeting Minutes of December 17, 2025

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VIII. Adjourn

Motion by Marlon Skenandore to adjourn at 9:50 a.m.; seconded by Kirby Metoxen.

Motion carried unanimously.

Legislative Operating Committee Meeting Minutes of December 17, 2025

Page 3 of 3

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Oneida Nation

Oneida Business Committee

Legislative Operating Committee

000000

PO Box 365 • Oneida, WI 54155‐0365

ONEIDA

Oneida‐nsn.gov

Legislative Operating Committee

January 7, 2026

Petition: K. Schultz - GWA Payment to

the Membership

Submission Date: 12/3/25

LOC Sponsor: Kirby Metoxen

Summary: On September 15, 2025, the Petition: K. Schultz - GWA Payment to the

Membership for the Next Five Years Effective with FY 2026 through FY 2030 (“the Petition”)

was submitted to the Government Administrative Office by Kimberly Schultz and has since

been verified by the Oneida Trust Enrollment Department on October 23, 2025. The Oneida

Business Committee acknowledged receipt of this Petition on November 12, 2025, and directed

the Legislative Reference Office to complete and submit a statement of effect for the January

14, 2026, Oneida Business Committee meeting. The Legislative Operating Committee added

this Petition to its Active Files List for the Legislative Refence Office to develop a statement of

effect on December 3, 2025.

11/12/25 OBC: Motion by Lisa Liggins to acknowledge receipt of the petition # 2025-03 from Kimberly

Schultz regarding a General Welfare Assistance payment to the membership; to direct the

Law, Finance, and Legislative Reference Offices to complete, respectively, the legal review,

fiscal impact statement, and statement of effect to be submitted no later than January 6, 2026

for the January 14, 2026, regular Business Committee meeting agenda; and to schedule a

special General Tribal Council meeting on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. to address

petition # 2025-03, seconded by Jonas Hill. Motion carried.

Motion by Lisa Liggins to schedule a special General Tribal Council meeting on Monday,

March 9, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. to address petition # 2025-03, noting the prior date is no longer

available, seconded by Jennifer Webster. Motion carried.

12/3/25 LOC: Motion by Kirby Metoxen to add the Petition: K. Schultz- General Welfare Assistance

Payment to Membership #2025-03 to the Active Files List with Jameson Wilson as sponsor;

seconded by Jonas Hill. Motion carried unanimously.

Next Steps:

 Accept the statement of effect for the Petition: K. Schultz - GWA Payment to the

Membership and forward to the Oneida Business Committee.

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Oneida Nation

Oneida Business Committee

Legislative Operating Committee

000000

PO Box 365 • Oneida, WI 54155‐0365

ONEIDA

Oneida‐nsn.gov

Statement of Effect

Petition: K. Schultz - GWA Payment to the Membership for the Next Five Years Effective with FY

2026 through FY 2030

#2025-03

Summary

This petition requests the General Tribal Council to consider directing general welfare assistant

payments be made to the membership in specified amounts for the next five (5) years effective

from Fiscal Year 2026 through Fiscal Year 2030.

Submitted by: Clorissa N. Leeman, Senior Staff Attorney, Legislative Reference Office

Date: January 7, 2026

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Office

On September 15, 2025, the Petition: K. Schultz - GWA Payment to the Membership for the Next

Five Years Effective with FY 2026 through FY 2030 (“the Petition”) was submitted to the

Government Administrative Office by Kimberly Schultz and has since been verified by the Oneida

Trust Enrollment Department on October 23, 2025. The Oneida Business Committee

acknowledged receipt of this Petition on November 12, 2025, and directed the Legislative

Reference Office to complete and submit a statement of effect for the January 14, 2026, Oneida

Business Committee meeting.

This petition calls for a special General Tribal Council (GTC) meeting to be called to consider the

following:

To continue the General Welfare Assistant payment (GWA) to the membership in

the following amounts for the next five years effective with FY 2026 through FY

2030. The payouts would be as follows:

FY 26 GWA $2500 food allowance $500 = $3000

FY 27 GWA $3000 food allowance $500 = $3500

FY 28 GWA $3500 food allowance $500 = $4000

FY 29 GWA $4000 food allowance $500 = $4500

FY 30 GWA $4500 food allowance $500 = $5000

*elders are eligible for the above payments as a base payment

*enrolled members under the ag of 18 will have the GWA payment deposited in

Minors Trust Fund

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All applicable laws and policies of the Nation were reviewed in developing this statement of effect

for the Petition.

Development of an Approved Program in accordance with the Oneida General Welfare Law

The Petition requests the General Tribal Council to consider “continue[ing] the General Welfare

Assistant payment (GWA) to the membership in the following amounts for the next five years

effective with FY 2026 through FY 2030.”

The Oneida General Welfare law was adopted by the Oneida Business Committee on December

8, 2021, through the adoption of resolution BC-12-08-21-A.1 The purpose of the Oneida General

Welfare law is to govern how the Nation provides assistance to eligible members on a non-taxable

basis, pursuant to the principles of the General Welfare Exclusion. [10 O.C. 1001.1-1]. The federal

government through the Tribal General Welfare Exclusion Act of 2014, codified at 26 U.S.C

§139E and the Internal Revenue Service, through its traditional application of the general welfare

doctrine and subsequent guidance, has recognized the sovereign right of Indian tribal governments

to provide financial assistance to its members under an approved program for the promotion of the

general welfare of the Nation that is excludable from the gross income of those recipients, and

thereby non-taxable. [10 O.C. 1001.1-1(a), 1001.4-1].

The principle of General Welfare Exclusion provides that any assistance shall be treated as nontaxable under federal law so long as it:

 Satisfies the requirements for exclusion under 26 U.S.C. §139E;

 Is provided under a Safe Harbor Program listed and detailed in I.R.S. Rev. Proc. 2014-35

or subsequent Internal Revenue Service procedures or regulations; or

 Meets the criteria of the General Test under the I.R.S. General Criteria of General Welfare

exclusion listed in I.R.S. Rev. Proc. 2014-35, section 5.02(1). [10 O.C. 1001.4-1(a)-(c)].

The General Test provides criteria used to determine if any assistance provided through an

approved program to a recipient shall be treated as a General Welfare Exclusion. The criteria of

the General Test include the following:

 The assistance is paid on behalf of the Nation;

 The assistance was provided pursuant to an approved program;

 The assistance does not discriminate in favor of members of the governing body of the

Nation;

 The assistance is available to any member who meets the guidelines of the approved

program;

The Oneida General Welfare law was originally adopted on an emergency basis through resolution BC-08-12-20-D.

Emergency amendments to the Oneida General Welfare law were then adopted through resolution BC-02-10-21-B.

Those emergency amendments to the Law were then extended through resolution BC-07-28-21-M. The Oneida

General Welfare law was adopted on a permanent basis through BC-12-08-21-A.

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

The assistance is provided for the promotion of general welfare;

The assistance is not lavish or extravagant;

The assistance is not compensation for services; and

The assistance is not a per capita payment. [10 O.C. 1001.4-2(a)-(h)].

In order for assistance provided by the Nation under the principle of General Welfare Exclusion

to qualify as non-taxable to the fullest extent permitted at law, it must occur through an approved

program. [10 O.C. 1001.4-3]. Approved programs are established and operated to promote the

general welfare of the Nation, including programs designed to enhance the promotion of health,

education, self-sufficiency, self-determination, and the maintenance of culture and tradition,

entrepreneurship, and employment. [10 O.C. 1001.4-3(a)]. Each approved program is limited to

purposes consistent with treatment under the General Welfare Exclusion as to purpose, eligibility,

and funding, and all approved programs of the Nation are required to meet all criteria of the

General Test. [10 O.C. 1001.4-3(b)-(d)]. An approved program created by the Nation is required

to be adopted by the Oneida Business Committee through either a resolution or a law of the Nation.

[10 O.C. 1001.5-1].

The Oneida General Welfare law provides for when an approved program of the Nation is required

to be adopted through law or resolution. An approved program is required to be adopted by the

Oneida Business Committee through a law of the Nation if it is intended that the approved program

will function on a permanent basis. [10 O.C. 1001.5-1(a)]. Adoption of an approved program by

the Oneida Business Committee through a law of the Nation is required to follow and comply with

the process and procedures of the Legislative Procedures Act. [10 O.C. 1001.5-1(a)(1)]. An

approved program shall be adopted by the Oneida Business Committee through a resolution if the

approved program will function for a limited term. [10 O.C. 1001.5-1(b)]. A limited term means

the program will have a defined start and end date, or the approved program will utilize third-party

funding and is not intended to function on a permanent basis. [10 O.C. 1001.3-1(d)]. An approved

program to be considered for adoption through resolution by the Oneida Business Committee shall

be accompanied by a statement of effect and submitted in accordance with the Oneida Business

Committee’s submission procedure and deadlines. [10 O.C. 1001.5-1(b)(1)]. The law or resolution

establishing an approved program of the Nation is required to contain the following information:

 Name of the approved program;

 Purpose of the approved program;

 Eligibility rules and limitations for approved program;

 Funding source for approved program;

 How the approved program qualifies for General Welfare Exclusion; and

 Start and end date of approved program, if applicable. [10 O.C. 1001.5-1(c)(1)-(6)].

Once an approved program is developed and adopted by the Oneida Business Committee, any

assistance provided by an approved program is limited to members of the Nation. [10 O.C. 1001.5Page 3 of 12

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2]. Each approved program is required to set forth any specific eligibility rules and limitations

applied to that program. [10 O.C. 1001.5-2]. Although approved programs of the Nation are

limited to members of the Nation, the member of the Nation still has to meet the eligibility or

guidelines of each specific approved program prior to receiving assistance from that approved

program. Therefore, making an assistance payment to “the membership” as requested by the

Petition may not be possible as not every member of the Nation may meet the eligibility or

guidelines of an approved program.

All assistance provided through an approved program is required to be used for the purpose stated

in the approved program description. [10 O.C. 1001.5-4]. If assistance is used or pledged for a

purpose inconsistent with the purpose set forth in an approved program the payment shall be

deemed forfeited. Id. The Nation may secure repayment from any recipient who forfeited their

assistance. Id. Assistance provided to a member through an approved program shall not be subject

to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment, or

garnishment by creditors of the member. [10 O.C. 1001.5-5].

The Nation does not guarantee assistance under the Oneida General Welfare law. [10 O.C. 1001.61]. Assistance shall not be treated as a resource or asset of a recipient for any purpose; and no

recipient shall have an interest in or right to any funds budgeted for, or set aside for, approved

programs until paid. [10 O.C. 1001.6-1]. The Oneida Business Committee reserves the right to

cancel, adjust, modify, or revoke any benefit. [10 O.C. 1001.6-2].

Therefore, in order for any assistance payments to be made in accordance with the Oneida General

Welfare law as requested by the Petition, an approved program first has to be developed and

adopted by the Oneida Business Committee. The Petition references continuing the “General

Welfare Assistant payment (GWA) to the membership” and then further reference a “GWA” with a

specific dollar amount and a “food allowance” with a specific dollar amount. The Petition is not

specific enough to inform whether the requested assistance payments for each fiscal year would

occur through a new or existing approved program of the Nation.

If the Petition would require the development of a new approved program, there is insufficient

information provided in the Petition to determine if an approved program can be properly

developed in accordance with the requirements of the Oneida General Welfare law, such as what

the purpose of this approved program would be; the eligibility rules and limitations for the

approved program beyond just enrollment in the Nation, if any; and how the approved program

qualifies for General Welfare Exclusion and meets the criteria of the General Test. [10 O.C.

1001.4-3, 1001.5-1(c)(1)-(6)].

If the assistance requested by this Petition was provided through a current existing approved

program, then the requirements and procedures of that specific approved program’s law or

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resolution would be required to be complied with. There is not enough information provided in the

Petition to determine if the requests of the Petition could reasonably fit within an existing approved

program. Examples of the various approved programs the Nation has utilized to provide assistance

to its members includes, but is not limited to, the following:

 Oneida Nation Assistance Fund. The Oneida Nation Assistance Fund law was adopted by

the Oneida Business Committee to establish the Oneida Nation Assistance Fund to govern

how the Nation provides financial assistance to its members, pursuant to the Oneida

General Welfare law. [10 O.C. 1003.1-1]. The purpose of the Oneida Nation Assistance

Fund is to provide financial assistance to members of the Nation to address the general

welfare needs of members. [10 O.C. 1003.4-1]. This is a permanent approved program of

the Nation. Any individual who is a member of the Nation; is age eighteen (18) or older;

and submits a completed application during the designated submission timeframe is

eligible to receive assistance from the Oneida Nation Assistance Fund. [10 O.C. 1003.51]. The Oneida Nation Assistance Fund is funded through the Nation’s annual budget, and

by any other funding source deemed necessary by the Oneida Business Committee. [10

O.C. 1003.6-1]. The Oneida Business Committee is responsible for determining the

amount of assistance available to an eligible recipient from the Oneida Nation Assistance

Fund per any permitted distribution. [10 O.C. 1003.6-2]. The Oneida Business Committee

adopted resolution BC-05-14-25-D, Oneida Nation Assistance Fund Application

Submission Period and Disbursement Timeframe for 2025, which in accordance with

section 1003.6-2 of the Oneida Nation Assistance Fund law provided that for the Fiscal

Year 2025 disbursement the amount of assistance available to an eligible recipient from

the Oneida Nation Assistance Fund shall be as follows: a disbursement of assistance of one

thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) is available to any eligible applicant who is an

enrolled member of the Nation, at least eighteen (18) years of age by September 1, 2025,

who has submitted an Oneida Nation Assistance Fund application; and an additional

disbursement of assistance of two thousand dollars ($2,000) is available to any eligible

applicant who is an enrolled member of the Nation, at least sixty-two (62) years of age by

December 31, 2025, who has submitted an Oneida Nation Assistance Fund application.

Assistance provided through the Oneida Nation Assistance Fund is permitted to be used

for expenses such as housing needs of principal residences; utility bills and charges;

education; food security; home care assistance; vehicle payments, maintenance, repair, and

insurance; medical care and transportation, room, and board costs for seeking medical care;

funeral and burial expenses and expenses for attending wakes, funerals, burials,

bereavements, and subsequent honoring events; and costs related to any other emergency

circumstance. [10 O.C. 1003.5-5].



Elder Assistance Program. The Elder Assistance Program law was adopted by the Oneida

Business Committee to establish the Elder Assistance Program to govern how the Nation

provides financial assistance to elders, pursuant to the Oneida General Welfare law. [10

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O.C. 1002.1-1]. The purpose of the Elder Assistance Program is to provide financial

assistance to elders of the Nation to address the unique and compounding general welfare

needs of elders. [10 O.C. 1002.4-1]. This is a permanent approved program of the Nation.

Any individual who is a member of the Nation; is age sixty-five (65) or older; and submits

a completed application during the designated submission timeframe is eligible to receive

assistance from the Oneida Nation Assistance Fund. [10 O.C. 1002.5-1]. The Elder

Assistance Program is funded through the Elder, Education and General Welfare Trust

Fund, which is derived from the Emigrant NY Indian Claims Award Docket 75 Trust Fund.

[10 O.C. 1002.6-1]. The Oneida Trust Enrollment Committee is responsible for

determining the amount of assistance available to an eligible recipient from the Elder

Assistance Program per any permitted distribution. [10 O.C. 1002.6-2]. The Oneida

Business Committee adopted resolution BC-05-14-25-C, Elder Assistance Program

Application Submission Period and Disbursement Timeframe for 2025, which provided

that in accordance with section 1002.6-2 of the Elder Assistance Program law the Oneida

Trust Enrollment Committee determined that for the Fiscal Year 2025 disbursement from

the Elder Assistance Program amount of assistance available to an eligible recipient who

is age sixty-five (65) or older by December 31, 2025,from the Elder Assistance Program

shall be seven hundred three dollars and fifty-four cents ($703.54). Assistance provided

through the Elder Assistance Program is permitted to be used for expenses such as housing

needs of principal residences; utility bills and charges; education; food security; home care

assistance; vehicle payments, maintenance, repair, and insurance; medical care and

transportation, room, and board costs for seeking medical care; funeral and burial expenses

and expenses for attending wakes, funerals, burials, bereavements, and subsequent

honoring events; and costs related to any other emergency circumstance. [10 O.C. 1002.55].



Oneida Life Insurance Plan. The Oneida Life Insurance Plan law was adopted by the

Oneida Business Committee to provide a death benefit through the Oneida Life Insurance

Plan (OLIPP) for all eligible enrolled Oneida Nation members, pursuant to the Oneida

General Welfare law. [10 O.C. 1004.1-1]. This is a permanent approved program of the

Nation. All members of the Nation shall qualify for a benefit of fifteen thousand dollars

($15,000) from the Oneida Life Insurance Plan to be used for funeral expenses first, with

any residual benefits distributed to a designated beneficiary. [10 O.C. 1004.5-1]. Funeral

expenses are the cost of the funeral of the decedent accrued and invoiced by the funeral

home and include funeral planning; securing the necessary permits and copies of death

certificates; preparing the notices; sheltering the remains; coordinating the arrangements

with the cemetery, crematory or other third parties; transporting the remains; embalming

and other preparation; viewing, ceremony, or memorial services; use of a hearse or

limousine; a casket, outer burial container or alternate container; monuments; and

cremation or interment. [10 O.C. 1004.3-1(e)].

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

Oneida Nation Food Assistance Program. The Oneida Business Committee adopted

resolution BC-09-01-22-A, Oneida Nation Food Assistance Program – An Oneida General

Welfare Exclusion Program, which established the Oneida Nation Food Assistance

Program as an approved program of the Nation in accordance with the Oneida General

Welfare law for the purpose of providing financial assistance to members of the Nation to

aid them with the rising costs of healthy food prices to ensure that their general welfare

needs can continue to be met. This approved program was set to function for a limited term.

This resolution identified that for the 2022 distribution of the Oneida Nation Food

Assistance Program, any enrolled member of the Nation who is at least eighteen (18) years

of age or older on or before December 31, 2022, shall be eligible for assistance from the

Oneida Nation Food Assistance Program, while for the 2023 distribution any enrolled

member of the Nation who is at least eighteen (18) years of age or older on or before

December 31, 2023, shall be eligible for assistance from the Oneida Nation Food

Assistance Program. The Oneida Nation Food Assistance Program provided five hundred

dollars ($500) of assistance for eligible members. The Oneida Business Committee

recreated the Oneida Nation Food Assistance Program through the adoption of resolution

BC-06-26-24-L, Oneida Nation Food Assistance Program – Oneida General Welfare

Exclusion Program. Resolution BC-06-26-24-L adopted and established the FY-2024

Food GWA Payment as an approved extension of the Oneida Food Assistance Program,

and provided that for the distribution of the FY-2024 Food GWA Payment, any enrolled

member of the Nation who is at least eighteen (18) years of age or older on or before

December 31, 2024, shall be eligible for assistance from the FY-2024 Food GWA

Payment.



Oneida Elder Interview Program. The Oneida Business Committee adopted resolution

BC-08-10-22-A, Saving Our History - Oneida Elder Interview Program - Oneida General

Welfare Exclusion Program, which established the Oneida Elder Interview Program as an

approved program of the Nation in accordance with the Oneida General Welfare law for

the purpose of interviewing Oneida elders to collect an oral history of their generation, the

Oneida Nation, Oneida Reservation, and their families and fellow members in an effort to

enrich the general welfare of every member of the Nation by recording the Nation’s history,

culture, tradition, and unique way of life for generations to come. This approved program

was set to function for a limited term. Assistance from the Oneida Elder Interview Program

is available to any enrolled member of the Nation who is at least sixty-five (65) years of

age or older and participates in an elder interview.



Summer Savings at the Pump Program. The Oneida Business Committee adopted

resolution BC-06-28-22-A, Summer Savings at the Pump Program, which established the

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Summer Savings at the Pump Program as an approved program of the Nation in accordance

with the Oneida General Welfare law for the purpose of providing financial assistance to

members of the Nation to aid them with the rising costs of gasoline prices to ensure that

their general welfare needs can continue to be met. This approved program was set to

function for a limited term. Assistance from the Summer Savings at the Pump Program

was available to any enrolled member of the Nation who is at least eighteen (18) years of

age or older on or before June 30, 2022.

Funding an Approved Program

The Petition calls “to continue the general welfare assistant payment to the membership in the

following amounts for the next five years effective with FY 2026 through FY 2030. The payouts

would be as follows:

FY 26 GWA $2500 food allowance $500 = $3000

FY 27 GWA $3000 food allowance $500 = $3500

FY 28 GWA $3500 food allowance $500 = $4000

FY 29 GWA $4000 food allowance $500 = $4500

FY 30 GWA $4500 food allowance $500 = $5000.”

Any assistance authorized through an approved program under the Oneida General Welfare law is

limited to funds appropriated at the discretion of the Oneida Business Committee, no matter the

source of the funds. [10 O.C. 1001.5-3]. Any allocation of funding by the Nation for an approved

program is required to be budgeted for in accordance with the Budget and Finances law. All

amounts budgeted by the Nation for assistance shall remain general assets of the Nation until

payments are disbursed. [10 O.C. 1001.5-3]. The Oneida Business Committee has the

responsibility to designate approved programs for which funds shall be budgeted each fiscal year,

consistent with the purposes of the Oneida General Welfare law. Id. Approved programs may also

be funded through third-party funding if available. Id.

The Budget and Finances law sets forth the requirements to be followed by the Oneida Business

Committee and the Oneida fund units when preparing the budget to be presented to the General

Tribal Council for approval, and to establish financial policies and procedures for the Nation

which:

 institutionalize best practices in financial management to guide decision makers in making

informed decisions regarding the provision of services, implementation of business plans

for enterprises, investments, and capital assets;

 provide a long term financial prospective and strategic intent, linking budget allocations to

organizational goals, as well as providing fiscal controls and accountability for results and

outcomes;

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

identify and communicate to the membership of the Nation spending decisions for the

government function, grant obligations, enterprises, membership mandates, capital

expenditures, technology projects, and capital improvement projects;

establish a framework for effective financial risk management; and

encourage participation by the Nation’s membership. [1 O.C. 121.1-1].

The Nation is required to develop, adopt, and manage an annual budget. [1 O.C. 121.5-1]. All

revenues and expenditures of the Nation shall be in accordance with the annual budget. Id. The

Nation’s annual budget is required to be a balanced budget, which does not propose to spend more

funds than are reasonably expected to become available to the Nation during that fiscal year. Id.

The Budget and Finances law provides for the process and procedures to be used for the

development and adoption of the Nation’s budget. [1 O.C. 121.5-4].

On December 8, 2025, the General Tribal Council adopted resolution BC-12-08-25-A, Adoption

of Fiscal Year 2026 Budget, which adopted the Fiscal Year 2026 budget in the amount of five

hundred seventy-one million twenty-nine thousand and six hundred sixty-one dollars

($571,029,661). The Fiscal Year 2026 budget was adopted prior to this Petition being presented to

the General Tribal Council for consideration. Therefore, an allocation of funding to support a

general welfare assistance payment of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2500) plus a food

allowance of five hundred dollars ($500) for a total assistance payment of three thousand dollars

($3000) for Fiscal Year 2026 specific to the request of this Petition has not been included in the

Fiscal Year 2026 budget. All expenditures of the Nation are required to be made in accordance

with the annual budget. [1 O.C. 121.5-1].

After the budget is adopted, amendments of the budget are not permitted unless it is necessary to

avoid a budget deficit. [1 O.C. 121.5-5]. The Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer are required

to identify when forecasted revenue and forecasted expenses are impacted in a manner which

creates a deficit for the current fiscal year, and then the Chief Financial Officer is required to

provide the Oneida Business Committee a written fiscal analysis and any input on the potential

budget amendment. Id. The Oneida Business Committee is responsible for adopting an amendment

to the budget through resolution of the Nation. Id. The Oneida Business Committee is then required

to present notification of the budget amendment at the next available General Tribal Council

meeting. Id. So unless it is necessary to avoid a budget deficit, an amendment to the Fiscal Year

2026 budget to provide for the payment requested by the Petition would not be permissible under

the Budget and Finances law.

Additionally, unbudgeted expenditures are permitted under the Budget and Finances law if granted

approval by the Oneida Business Committee. [1 O.C. 121-6-4(a)]. The Chief Financial Officer is

required to provide the Oneida Business Committee with a written fiscal analysis and any input on

any potential unbudgeted expenditure. Id. The approval of any unbudgeted expenditure is required

Page 9 of 12

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ONEIDA

15 of 20

to be made by the Oneida Business Committee through the adoption of a resolution prior to the

expenditure being made by a fund unit. Id. Any unbudgeted expenditure for items and specific

projects which were not identified in the approved budget made for over two hundred and fifty

thousand dollars ($250,000) is required to be formally noticed by the Oneida Business Committee

to the General Tribal Council at the next available General Tribal Council regular or special

meeting. [1 O.C. 121.6-4(b). BC-05-11-22-B, BC-10-08-08-A.].

The Petition also directs that general welfare assistance payments be made for Fiscal Year 2027

through Fiscal Year 2030. Any allocation of funding to support assistance provided in accordance

with an approved program developed under the Oneida General Welfare law for future fiscal years

would need to be budgeted for in accordance with the process and procedures contained within the

Budget and Finances law.

Deposit into the Minors Trust Fund Account

The Petition directs that enrolled members under the age of eighteen (18) will have the general

welfare assistance payment deposited in the Minors Trust Fund. It is presumed that the reference

to a Minors Trust Fund is in regard to trust accounts established for minor beneficiaries in

accordance with the Per Capita law.

The Per Capita law specifies the procedure to be followed in the event that per capita payments

are distributed by the Nation; and clearly states the responsibilities of the various Oneida entities

in the distribution or maintenance of any such per capita payments. [1 O.C. 123.1-1]. Per capita

payments may only be issued at the direction of the General Tribal Council through adoption of a

resolution. [1 O.C. 123.4-3]. The Per Capita law provides that a trust account is an account

established by the Trust Enrollment Committee for the purpose of maintaining per capita funds for

persons pursuant to the Nation’s revenue allocation plan, which includes, but is not limited to,

minor beneficiaries and legally incompetent adults. [1 O.C. 123.3-1(u)]. The Trust Enrollment

Committee is responsible for establishing standard operating procedures for setting up, monitoring

and distributing the trust accounts. [1 O.C. 123.6-1(a)]. The Trust Enrollment Committee is also

responsible for the protection and preservation of per capita payment funds for beneficiaries. [1

O.C. 123.6-1(a)(1)]. All distributions to minor beneficiaries are governed by the Per Capita law,

Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the Tribal Revenue Allocation Plan, and the Per Capita Trust

Agreement. [1 O.C. 123.6-1].

Assistance provided in accordance with an approved program under the Oneida General Welfare

law is not a per capita payment. [10 O.C. 1001.4-2(h)]. Therefore, the distribution of a general

welfare assistance payment into a trust account as established for minors by the Per Capita law

would be a violation of both the Oneida General Welfare law and the Per Capita law as a trust

Page 10 of 12

A good mind. A good heart. A strong fire.

ONEIDA

16 of 20

account is solely for the purpose of maintaining per capita funds for persons pursuant to the

Nation’s revenue allocation plan.

Conclusion

After a review of all applicable laws and policies of the Nation, it has been determined that the

adoption of the Petition: K. Schultz - GWA Payment to the Membership for the Next Five Years

Effective with FY 2026 through FY 2030 would have the following legislative impacts:

1. Impacts on the Oneida General Welfare Law and Other Laws from Assistance Provided

through an Approved Program.

a. The Petition’s request for general welfare assistance payments for the specified

amounts from Fiscal Year 2026 through Fiscal Year 2030 would be required to be

provided through an approved program developed and adopted by the Oneida

Business Committee in accordance with the requirements and procedures of the

Oneida General Welfare law.

b. There is insufficient information provided in the Petition to determine whether the

requested assistance payments for each fiscal year would occur through an existing

approved program of the Nation or a new approved program.

i. If the assistance requested by this Petition was provided through a current

existing approved program, then the requirements and procedures of that

specific existing approved program would be required to be complied with.

There is not enough information provided in the Petition to determine if the

requests of the Petition for general welfare assistance was intended to apply

to an existing approved program or could reasonably fit within an existing

approved program of the Nation.

ii. If a new approved program was required to be developed based on the

request of this Petition, the Petition lacks sufficient information to

determine if an approved program could be properly developed in

accordance with the requirements of the Oneida General Welfare law.

2. Impacts on the Budget and Finances Law from Funding General Welfare Assistance

Payments.

a. The Petition’s request for a general welfare assistance payment of two thousand

five hundred dollars ($2500) plus a food allowance of five hundred dollars ($500)

for a total assistance payment of three thousand dollars ($3000) for Fiscal Year

2026 may not be possible as the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget has already been adopted

by the Oneida General Tribal Council through resolution BC-12-08-25-A prior to

the consideration of this Petition. All expenditures of the Nation are required to be

made in accordance with the annual budget. [1 O.C. 121.5-1].

Page 11 of 12

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17 of 20

i. After the budget is adopted, amendments of the budget are not permitted

unless it is necessary to avoid a budget deficit. [1 O.C. 121.5-5]. Therefore,

unless it is necessary to avoid a budget deficit, an amendment to the Fiscal

Year 2026 budget to provide for the payment requested by the Petition

would not be permissible under the Budget and Finances law.

ii. Additionally, unbudgeted expenditures are permitted under the Budget and

Finances law if granted approval by the Oneida Business Committee. [1

O.C. 121-6-4(a)]. The Chief Financial Officer is required to provide the

Oneida Business Committee with a written fiscal analysis and any input on

any potential unbudgeted expenditure. Id. The approval of any unbudgeted

expenditure is required to be made by the Oneida Business Committee

through the adoption of a resolution prior to the expenditure being made by

a fund unit. Id. Any unbudgeted expenditure for items and specific projects

which were not identified in the approved budget made for over two

hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) is required to be formally

noticed by the Oneida Business Committee to the General Tribal Council at

the next available General Tribal Council regular or special meeting. [1

O.C. 121.6-4(b). BC-05-11-22-B, BC-10-08-08-A.].

b. Any allocation of funding to support assistance provided in accordance with an

approved program developed under the Oneida General Welfare law for future

fiscal years would need to be budgeted for in accordance with the process and

procedures contained within the Budget and Finances law.

3. Impacts on the Per Capita Law and Oneida General Welfare Law from the Deposit of

Assistance into the Minors Trust Fund Account.

a. The Petition’s directive that enrolled members under the age of eighteen (18) have

the general welfare assistance payment deposited in the Minors Trust Fund would

be a violation of both the Oneida General Welfare law and the Per Capita law as a

trust account is solely for the purpose of maintaining per capita funds for persons

pursuant to the Nation’s revenue allocation plan and therefore cannot include a

distribution of general welfare assistance payments.

Requested Action

Accept the statement of effect for the Petition: K. Schultz - GWA Payment to the Membership for

the Next Five Years Effective with FY 2026 through FY 2030.

Page 12 of 12

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Oneida Nation

Oneida Business Committee

Legislative Operating Committee

O Bo ͛͞͝ Ȉ Oneida, WI 54155-0365

Oneida-nsn.gov

GDDDOO

ONEIDA

AGENDA REQUEST FORM

December 19, 2025

1) Request Date: _____________________________________________________

Clorissa Leeman

2) Contact Person(s): ______________________________________

Legislative Reference Office

Dept:____________________________

(920) 869-4417

cleeman@oneidanatio.org

Phone Number:_________________________

Email: __________________________________

Petition: G. Powless- Buenrostro - Accountability Measure Options for BC and BCC's #2025-04

3) Agenda Title:___________________________________________________________________

4) Detailed description of the item and the reason/justification it is being brought before the LOC:

_______________________________________________________________________________

On 12/19/25 the OBC acknowledged receipt of the Petition: G. Powless-

Buenrostro - Accountability Measure Options for BC and BCC's #2025-04

_______________________________________________________________________________

and directed the LRO to complete a statement of effect with status

updates to be submitted for the 2/11/26 OBC meeting.

_______________________________________________________________________________

List any supporting materials included and submitted with the Agenda Request Form

12/19/25 Draft OBC Meeting Minutes

1) ________________________________

3) ________________________________

2) ________________________________

4) ________________________________

5) Please list any laws, policies or resolutions that might be affected:

_______________________________________________________________________________

6) Please list all other departments or person(s) you have brought your concern to:

______________________________________________________________________________

7) Do you consider this request urgent?

[i] Yes

□ No

If yes, please indicate why:

LRO required to provide a status update on the development of a SOE by 2/11/26

________________________________________________________________

I, the undersigned, have reviewed the attached materials, and understand that they are subject to action by

the Legislative Operating Committee.

Signature of Requester:

Clorissa N. Leeman

Date: 2026.01.02 17:15:42 -06'00'

__________________________________________________________________________

Digitally signed by Clorissa N. Leeman

Please send this form and all supporting materials to:

LOC@oneidanation.org

Legislative Operating Committee (LOC)

P.O. Box 365

Oneida, WI 54155

Phone 920-869-4376

A good mind. A good heart. A strong fire.

19 of 20

Oneida Nation

Oneida Business Committee

Legislative Operating Committee

O Bo ͛͞͝ Ȉ Oneida, WI 54155-0365

Oneida-nsn.gov

GDDDOO

ONEIDA

AGENDA REQUEST FORM

December 19, 2025

1) Request Date: _____________________________________________________

Clorissa Leeman

2) Contact Person(s): ______________________________________

Legislative Reference Office

Dept:____________________________

(920) 869-4417

cleeman@oneidanatio.org

Phone Number:_________________________

Email: __________________________________

Petition: G. Powless- Buenrostro - Amend the Administrative Rule Making Law #2025-05

3) Agenda Title:___________________________________________________________________

4) Detailed description of the item and the reason/justification it is being brought before the LOC:

_______________________________________________________________________________

On 12/19/25 the OBC acknowledged receipt of the Petition: G. Powless-

Buenrostro - AAmend the Administrative Rule Making Law #2025-05 and

_______________________________________________________________________________

directed the LRO to complete a statement of effect with status updates to

be submitted for the 2/11/26 OBC meeting.

_______________________________________________________________________________

List any supporting materials included and submitted with the Agenda Request Form

12/19/25 Draft OBC Meeting Minutes

1) ________________________________

3) ________________________________

2) ________________________________

4) ________________________________

5) Please list any laws, policies or resolutions that might be affected:

_______________________________________________________________________________

6) Please list all other departments or person(s) you have brought your concern to:

______________________________________________________________________________

7) Do you consider this request urgent?

[i] Yes

□ No

If yes, please indicate why:

LRO required to provide a status update on the development of a SOE by 2/11/26

________________________________________________________________

I, the undersigned, have reviewed the attached materials, and understand that they are subject to action by

the Legislative Operating Committee.

Signature of Requester:

Clorissa N. Leeman

Date: 2026.01.02 17:15:42 -06'00'

__________________________________________________________________________

Digitally signed by Clorissa N. Leeman

Please send this form and all supporting materials to:

LOC@oneidanation.org

Legislative Operating Committee (LOC)

P.O. Box 365

Oneida, WI 54155

Phone 920-869-4376

A good mind. A good heart. A strong fire.

20 of 20

January 2026

February 2026

SuMo TuWe Th Fr Sa

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Dec 29

Jan 1, 26

8:00am Holiday - New

Year's Day

8:30am LOC Prep Meeting

(Microsoft Teams

Meeting;

9:00am Legislative

Operating Committee

Meeting (Microsoft

1:30pm LOC Work

Session (Microsoft

2:30pm Elder Protection

(Microsoft Teams

Meeting;

BC_Exec_Conf_Room) Grace L. Elliott

9:00am Oneida Code of

Ethics Amendments

(Microsoft Teams

Meeting) - Grace L.

Elliott

11:00am Conflict of

Interest amendments work meeting

(Microsoft Teams

Meeting;

BC_Conf_Room) Carolyn A. Salutz

8:30am LOC Prep Meeting

(Microsoft Teams

Meeting;

9:00am Legislative

Operating Committee

Meeting (Microsoft

1:30pm LOC Work

Session (Microsoft

11:00am Vendor

Licensing - work

meeting with LOC

(Microsoft Teams

Meeting;

BC_Exec_Conf_Room) Carolyn A. Salutz

10:00am Invitation to First

Group Review of

Research Law Draft

(Microsoft Teams

Meeting) - Grace L.

Elliott

10:30am Ten Day Notice

Policy - amendments

(Microsoft Teams

Meeting;

3:00pm UCC/Secured

Transactions (Microsoft

Teams Meeting) Grace L. Elliott

LOC

1/2/2026 5:18 PM

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.