Phone: (920)869-2214

Oneida Nation

Post Office Box 365

Phone: (920)869-2214

Oneida, WI 54155

BC Resolution # 03-10-21-C

Amendments to the Community Support Fund Law

WHEREAS,

the Oneida Nation is a federally recognized Indian government and a treaty tribe

recognized by the laws of the United States of America; and

WHEREAS,

the Oneida General Tribal Council is the governing body of the Oneida Nation; and

WHEREAS,

the Oneida Business Committee has been delegated the authority of Article IV, Section 1,

of the Oneida Tribal Constitution by the Oneida General Tribal Council; and

WHEREAS,

the Community Support Fund law (“the Law”) was adopted by the Oneida Business

Committee through BC-05-15-96-A and amended by resolutions BC-01-08-97-G, BC-1211-13-D, BC-01-11-17-B; and

WHEREAS,

the purpose of the Law is to assist the greatest number of members of the Nation who

apply for assistance to the Fund in times of a catastrophic event, catastrophic illness or

injury, or emergency event when no other resources for assistance exist; and

WHEREAS,

the Legislative Operating Committee worked collaboratively with representatives from the

Nation’s Economic Support Services Department to develop the amendments to the Law;

and

WHEREAS,

the amendments to the Law Revise the definition of “immediate family” to better reflect

Oneida families; and

WHEREAS,

the amendments to the Law include a definition for Fund Operator, which is the Economic

Support Services Department, or other department within the Governmental Services

Division designated authority over the operation of the Fund; and

WHEREAS,

the amendments to the Law include a public health emergency as a catastrophic event,

catastrophic illness or injury, or emergency event that qualifies an applicant for assistance

from the Fund; and

WHEREAS,

the amendments to the Law clarify that the Fund may only be used for the waiting period

for a Social Security Disability Determination rent and utility assistance up to a maximum

of twelve (12) months; and

WHEREAS,

the amendments to the Law remove the requirement that security deposit assistance only

be available to those members of the Nation who are Wisconsin residents; and

WHEREAS,

the amendments to the Law remove the requirement that the amount paid for a security

deposit be paid back to the Fund before another security deposit is issued in the future;

and

BC Resolution # 03-10-21-C

Amendments to the Community Support Fund Law

Page 2 of 3

WHEREAS,

the amendments to the Law clarify that an applicant must clarify that he or she applied to

his or her local Emergency Assistance Program prior to applying for utility assistance from

the Fund; and

WHEREAS,

the amendments to the Law remove the requirement that funeral travel expenses are only

provided to arrange or attend a funeral for immediate family members outside the state

where the applicant resides; and

WHEREAS,

the amendments to the Law clarify that lodging assistance due to homelessness or for any

other reason not related to a catastrophic event or emergency event, insurance

deductibles, and home renovations not related to handicap accessibility are not covered

by the Fund; and

WHEREAS,

the amendments to the Law remove the requirement that an applicant provide all

household income the last thirty (30) business days immediately prior to the submission of

the application; and

WHEREAS,

the amendments to the Law expand the time period for an applicant to submit an

application from thirty (30) days to forty-five (45) days; and

WHEREAS,

the amendments to the Law adjust the appeal process to reflect reorganization of the

Governmental Services Division; and

WHEREAS,

the amendments to the Law make other minor drafting changes throughout the law for

clarity; and

WHEREAS,

in accordance with the Legislative Procedures Act a legislative analysis and fiscal impact

statement were completed for the proposed amendments to the Law; and

WHEREAS,

a public meeting on the proposed amendments to this Law was not held in accordance

with the Legislative Procedures Act due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and

WHEREAS,

on March 12, 2020, Chairman Tehassi Hill signed a “Declaration of Public Health State of

Emergency” regarding COVID-19 which declared a Public Health State of Emergency for

the Nation until April 12, 2020, which was then subsequently extended through March 13,

2021, through the adoption of resolutions BC-03-28-20-A, BC-05-06-20-A, BC-06-10-20A, BC-07-08-20-A, BC-08-06-20-A, BC-09-09-20-A, BC-10-08-20-A, BC-11-10-20-A, BC12-09-20-D, BC-01-07-21-A, and BC-02-10-21-A; and

WHEREAS,

on March 27, 2020, the Nation’s COVID-19 Core Decision Making Team issued a

“Suspension of Public Meetings under the Legislative Procedures Act” declaration which

suspended the Legislative Procedures Act's requirement to hold a public meeting during

the public comment period, but allows members of the community to still participate in the

legislative process by submitting written comments, questions, data, or input on proposed

legislation to the Legislative Operating Committee via e-mail during the public comment

period; and

WHEREAS,

although a public meeting was not held for the proposed amendments to this Law, the

public comment period for the amendments to this Law was held open until January 13,

2021, and one (1) submission of written comments were received during the public

comment period; and

WHEREAS,

the Legislative Operating Committee reviewed and considered all public comments

received on January 20, 2021; and

BC Resolution # 03-10-21-C

Amendments to the Community Support Fund Law

Page 3 of 3

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the amendments to the Community Support Fund law are

hereby adopted and shall become effective on March 24, 2021.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Economics Support Services Department shall develop

amendments to the Community Support Fund Law Rule Handbook in accordance with the Administrative

Rulemaking law to comply with the amendments to the Community Support Fund law.

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the amended Community Support Fund law hereby supersedes any

conflicting language that may be found in the Community Support Fund Law Rule Handbook until such a

time the Community Support Fund Law Rule Handbook is amended.

CERTIFICATION

I, the undersigned, as Secretary of the Oneida Business Committee, hereby certify that the Oneida

Business Committee is composed of 9 members of whom 5 members constitute a quorum; 8 members

were present at a meeting duly called, noticed and held on the 10th day of March, 2021; that the forgoing

resolution was duly adopted at such meeting by a vote of 7 members for, 0 members against, and 0

members not voting*; and that said resolution has not been rescinded or amended in any way.

____________________________

Lisa Liggins, Secretary

Oneida Business Committee

*According to the By-Laws, Article I, Section 1, the Chair votes "only in the case of a tie."