# Oneida Business Committee (2026) > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Aoneida_nation%3Afee716efd84dc8b4 ## Record - **Collection:** Tribal code - **Document type:** Tribal code ## Text 1 of 283 Oneida Nation Oneida Business Committee Legislative Operating Committee PO Box 365 • Oneida, WI 54155-0365 Oneida-nsn.gov ~ ONEIDA LEGISLATIVE OPERATING COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA REVISED Business Committee Conference Room - 2nd Floor Norbert Hill Center May 6, 2026 9:00 a.m. I. Call to Order and Approval of the Agenda II. Minutes to be Approved 1. April 15, 2026 LOC Meeting Minutes (pg. 2) III. Current Business 1. Boards, Committees, and Commissions Law Amendments (pg. 4) 2. Ten Day Notice Policy Amendments (pg. 66) 3. Elder Protection Law (pg. 88) 4. Eviction and Termination Law Amendments (pg. 146) IV. New Submissions 1. Minors Trust Account General Welfare Assistance Law (pg. 187) V. Additions 1. Emergency Amendments to the Real Property Law Rule No. 3 – Easements (pg. 188) VI. Administrative Updates 1. E-Poll Results: Approval of the Updated Sanctions and Penalties Law Adoption Packet (pg. 213) 2. E-Poll Results: Approval of the LOC and LRO FY 2026 Semi-Annual Reports for GTC (pg. 261) 3. LOC FY26 Second Quarter Report (pg. 269) 4. LOC Summer Community Meeting Notice (pg. 282) VII. Executive Session VIII. Recess/Adjourn A good mind. A good heart. A strong fire. 2 of 283 Oneida Nation r"\ Oneida Business Committee Legislative Operating Committee GOOODO 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 April 15, 2026 9:00 a.m. Present: Jameson Wilson, Jennifer Webster, Jonas Hill Excused: Kirby Metoxen Unexcused: Marlon Skenandore Others Present: Clorissa Leeman, Lux Leeman, Grace Elliott, Carolyn Salutz, Gina PowlessBuenrostro Others Present on Microsoft Teams: Sidney White, Michelle Braaten, Maureen Metoxen, Mistylee Herzog, Isaiah Skenandore, Terri Schiltz, Josh Gerzetich, Taryn Wester, Sylvia Cornelius, Sarah Miller, Rae Skenandore, Ashley Blaker, Rhiannon Metoxen, Kristal Hill, Tavia JamesCharles, Fawn Cottrell, Peggy Helm-Quest, Melissa Alvarado, Jason Martinez, Carrie Lindsey, Sarah White, Fawn Billie. I. Call to Order and Approval of the Agenda Jameson Wilson called the April 15, 2026, Legislative Operating Committee meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Motion by Jennifer Webster to adopt the agenda; seconded by Jonas Hill. Motion carried unanimously. II. Minutes to be Approved 1. March 18, 2026 LOC Meeting Minutes Motion by Jennifer Webster to approve the March 18, 2026, LOC meeting minutes and forward to the Oneida Business Committee; seconded by Jonas Hill. Motion carried unanimously. III. Current Business 1. Budget and Finances Law Amendments. Motion by Jonas Hill to approve the adoption packet for the proposed amendments to the Budget and Finances law and forward to the Oneida Business Committee for consideration, seconded by Jennifer Webster. Motion carried unanimously. ~ (XJQOQO A good mind. A good heart. A strong fire. Legislative Operating Committee Meeting Minutes of April 15, 2026 Page 1 of 2 ONEIDA 3 of 283 2. Recycling and Solid Waste Disposal Law Amendments. Motion by Jennifer Webster to approve the adoption packet for the proposed amendments to the Recycling and Solid Waste Disposal law and forward to the Oneida Business Committee for consideration, seconded by Jonas Hill; motion carried unanimously. 3. Probate Law. Motion by Jonas Hill to approve the emergency adoption packet for the proposed Probate law and forward to the Oneida Business Committee for consideration, seconded by Jennifer Webster. Motion carried unanimously. 4. Real Property Law Amendments. Motion by Jonas Hill to approve the adoption packet for the proposed amendments to the Real Property law and forward to the Oneida Business Committee for consideration, seconded by Jennifer Webster. Motion carried unanimously. 5. Higher Education Scholarship Law. Motion by Jennifer Webster to approve the adoption packet for the Higher Education Scholarship law and forward to the Oneida Business Committee for consideration, seconded by Jonas Hill. Motion carried unanimously. 6. Boards, Committees, and Commissions Law Amendments. Motion by Jennifer Webster to approve the draft and the legislative analysis for the proposed amendments to the Boards, Committees, and Commissions law; seconded by Jonas Hill. Motion carried unanimously. IV. New Submissions 1. Attendance and Performance Duties for Elected Officials Emergency Amendments. Motion by Jennifer Webster to deny the request to add the Election law/Removal law/Code of Ethics/Open Records and Open Meetings Emergency amendments to the Active Files List, seconded by Jonas Hill. Motion carried unanimously. V. Additions 1. Sanctions and Penalties Law. Motion by Jennifer Webster to approve the updated adoption packet with the addition of the LOC Chairman signature for the proposed Sanctions and Penalties law and forward to the Oneida Business Committee for inclusion on an upcoming General Tribal Council meeting agenda for consideration, seconded by Jonas Hill. Motion carried unanimously. VI. Administrative Updates VII. Executive Session VIII. Adjourn Motion by Jennifer Webster to adjourn at 10:09 a.m.; seconded by Jonas Hill. Motion carried unanimously. Legislative Operating Committee Meeting Minutes of April 15, 2026 Page 2 of 2 4 of 283 r'\. Oneida Nation Oneida Business Committee Legislative Operating Committee PO Box 365 • Oneida, WI 54155-0365 Oneida-nsn.gov =DODDDD= ONEIDA Legislative Operating Committee May 6, 2026 Boards, Committees, and Commissions Law Amendments Submission Date: 2/7/2024 LOC Sponsor: Kirby Metoxen Public Meeting: 6/11/2026 Emergency Enacted: N/A Summary: This item was added to the Active Files List on February 7, 2024. On January 10, 2024, the Oneida Business Committee adopted a motion to defer the Board, Committees, Commissions law to the Legislative Operating Committee for a revision of the eligibility on the Board, Committees, Commissions law for any and all veterans to serve on any and all veteran related committees and to have open eligibility with no exclusions. 1/10/24 OBC: Motion by Lawrence Barton to defer the Board, Committees, and Commissions law to the Legislative Operating Committee for a revision of the eligibility on the Board, Committees, and Commissions law for any and all veterans to serve on any and all veterans related committees to have open eligibility with no exclusions, seconded by Jennifer Webster. Motion carried. 2/7/24 LOC: Motion by Jennifer Webster to add the Boards, Committees, and Commissions law amendments to the Active Files List with Kirby Metoxen as the sponsor; seconded by Jonas Hill. Motion carried unanimously. 2/20/24: Work Meeting. Present: Jameson Wilson, Jonas Hill, Kirby Metoxen Clorissa Leeman, Grace Elliott, Lisa Summers, Shannon Davis, Kristal Hill, Maureen Perkins, Fawn Billie. The purpose of this work meeting was for the LOC to review the Boards, Committees, and Commissions law with the Government Administrative Office and discuss potential amendments to be made to the law. 10/24/24: Work Meeting. Present: Jameson Wilson, Kirby Metoxen, Jonas Hill, Clorissa Leeman, Grace Elliott, Carolyn Salutz, Maureen Perkins, Kristal Hill, Fawn Cottrell. The purpose of this work meeting was to discuss what topics should be included on the December 2024 LOC community meeting. Ultimately, the LOC decided to include the topics of the Marijuana law, Short Term Rental law, and Boards, Committees, and Commissions law amendments. Page 1 of 3 A good mind. A good heart. A strong fire. 5 of 283 11/6/24 LOC: Motion by Kirby Metoxen to approve the Legislative Operating Committee community meeting notice and schedule the community meeting to take place on December 4, 2024; seconded by Marlon Skenandore. Motion carried unanimously. 11/14/24: Work Meeting. Present: Lisa Summers, Brooke Doxtator, Shannon Davis, Amber Martinez, Jameson Wilson, Jonas Hill, Jennifer Webster, Marlon Skenandore, Kristal Hill, Maureen Perkins, Fawn Cottrell, Fawn Billie, Carolyn Salutz. The purpose of this work meeting was to start fresh with reviewing this law for amendments, so we started from the beginning with a line-by-line review. We reviewed the law up to section 105.11. Jenny suggested for the next meeting, we schedule 1.5 hours; we did go over one hour, and this is a lengthy law. 12/4/24: Community Meeting. Present: Jameson Wilson, Jonas Hill, Marlon Skenandore, Jennifer Webster, Kirby Metoxen, Clorissa Leeman, Grace Elliott, Fawn Cottrell. Maureen Perkins, Kristal Hill. A community meeting was held from 5:30-7:30p.m. in the cafeteria of the Norbert Hill Center, this law was one of three laws presented for community input. 2/7/25: Work Meeting. Present: Mark Powless, Brooke Doxtator, Shannon Davis, Amber Martinez, Krystal John, Jameson Wilson, Jonas Hill, Marlon Skenandore, Kirby Metoxen, Jennifer Webster, Carolyn Salutz. The purpose of this work meeting was to finish a line-by-line review of the law, starting where we finished at the last work meeting. We started at Section 105.11 and were able to finish a line-by-line review of the entire law. 5/21/25: Work Meeting. Present: Mark Powless, Brooke Doxtator, Shannon Davis, Amber Martinez, Krystal John, Lisa Summers, Jameson Wilson, Jonas Hill, Marlon Skenandore. Kirby Metoxen, Jennifer Webster, Clorissa Leeman, Grace Elliott, Carolyn Salutz, Kristal Hill, Fawn Cottrell. The purpose of this work meeting was to continue reviewing for potential amendments by doing another read-through. We did a line-by-line read through, stopping at section 105.15. 9/12/25: Work Meeting. Present; Jennifer Webster, Kirby Metoxen, Lisa Summers, Brooke Doxtator, Shannon Davis, Amber Martinez, Krystal John, Fawn Billie, Fawn Cottrell, Grace Elliott, Carolyn Salutz. The purpose of this meeting was to continue reviewing edits. Group did not do a read-through, instead we stopped and discussed specific sections. Lisa said she and her team were meeting to discuss what we currently have as section 105.10 Other Responsibilities. Krystal mentioned that I should double check the draft of Sanctions and Penalties to cross reference penalties for noncompliance. Page 2 of 3 A good mind. A good heart. A strong fire. ~ ONEIDA 6 of 283 10/27/25: Work Meeting. Present: Lisa Summers, Brooke Doxtator, Rhiannon Metoxen, Kristal Hill, Fawn Cottrell, Carolyn Salutz. The purpose of this work meeting was to discuss section 205.10 Other Responsibilities. Lisa Summers wrote suggested language in the chat. Lisa and Brooke had a few other changes – things we changed during the meeting. 2/3/26: Work Meeting. Present: Brooke Doxtator, Krystal John, Grace Elliott, Kirby Metoxen, Jameson Wilson, Jennifer Webster, Jonas Hill, Shannon Davis, Mark Powless. The purpose of this work meeting was to review the newest amendments; the amendments now incorporate reference to Standards of Conduct, standards that are currently found in the Code of Ethics law, but on 1/29/26 the LOC made a policy decision to remove BCCs from the Code of Ethics law and in response, those behavioral expectations will need to be found in this law. 2/26/26: Work Meeting. Present: Brooke Doxtator, Krystal John, Grace Elliott, Kirby Metoxen, Jameson Wilson, Shannon Davis, Fawn Cottrell, Fawn Billie, Bonnie Pigman. The purpose of this work meeting was to review the newest amendments. The group spent majority of the work meeting discussing enforcement. 3/13/26: Work Meeting. Present: Brooke Doxtator, Shannon Davis, Kirby Metoxen, Jennifer Webster, Jonas Hill, Grace Elliott, Carolyn Salutz. LOC members present approved amendments. 3/18/26 LOC: Motion by Jennifer Webster to accept the draft and direct a legislative analysis be completed, seconded by Kirby Metoxen; motion carried unanimously. 4/15/26 LOC: Motion by Jennifer Webster to approve the draft and the legislative analysis, seconded by Jonas Hill; motion carried unanimously. Next Steps: ▪ Accept the public meeting packet and schedule a public meeting to be held on June 11, 2026, with a public comment period held open until June 18, 2026. Page 3 of 3 A good mind. A good heart. A strong fire. ~ ONEIDA ONEIDA NATION PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE JUNE 11, 2026, 12:15 pm of 283 Find Public Mee ng 7Materials at Oneida-nsn.gov/government/register/public mee ngs Send Public Comments to Norbert Hill Center-Business Committee Conference Room N7210 Seminary Rd., Oneida, Wisconsin LOC@oneidana on.org Ask Ques ons here LOC@oneidana on.org 920-869-4417 BOARDS, COMMITTEES, and COMMISSIONS LAW AMENDMENTS The purpose of the Boards, Committees, and Commissions law is to govern boards, committees, and commissions of the Nation, including the procedures regarding the appointment and election of individuals to boards, committees, and commissions, creation of bylaws, maintenance of official records, compensation, to establish clear standards of conduct, and other items related to boards, committees, and commissions. The Boards, Committees, and Commissions law amendments will: ¨ ¨ Clarify it is the purpose of the amendments to establish clear standards of conduct. ¨ ¨ Strengthen, clarify, and add definitions for Conflict of Interest, fiscal year, letter, member, political appointee, and Secretary. ¨ Clarify the responsibilities of the Boards, Committees, Commissions Department, including: responsibilities once managed by the Business Committee Support Office; and managing offboarding procedures for when a member leaves an entity. ¨ Clarify when a member’s term ends, the member may remain in their position until the successor is sworn in but no longer than sixty (60) business days. This helps prevent discontinuation of services but by setting a sixty-day (60) deadline also reinforces appropriate turnover. ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ Clarify all entities must be in compliance with the Nation’s travel policies. ¨ Clarify all entities may hold virtual meetings pursuant to any requirements established by the Oneida Business Committee and pursuant to any additional requirements established by the entity. ¨ ¨ Clarify that every appointed and elected member will receive an official Oneida Nation email address. ¨ ¨ ¨ Clarify how the Nation will manage actual or implied conflicts of interest including the creation and maintenance of annual and as-needed disclosure forms. ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ Clarify which positions may not be eligible to serve on an appointed or elected board because of the potential for an actual or implied conflict of interest. ¨ Various grammatical changes and other minor changes throughout the law. Clarify it is the policy of the Nation that appointed and elected individuals serving on a board, committee, or commission of the Nation carry themselves in a way that brings honor to the Oneida people and government. Clarify the Oneida Business Committee or designee shall be responsible for drafting the initial bylaws and the Oneida Business Committee will approve the initial bylaws. Clarify all entities must address conflict resolution and leaves of absence in their bylaws. Clarify all entities must include a procedure for withholding a member’s stipend in their bylaws. Clarify that rather than the requirement to submit quarterly reports to the Oneida Business Committee, all entities will be required to submit at least two reports each fiscal year to the Oneida Business Committee. Clarify standards of conduct such as: good mind; cultural accountability; several instances of prohibited conduct; attendance and meeting conduct; nepotism; gifts and honorarium; and fair dealing and impartiality. Add a requirement that all members shall submit disclosure forms annually and within a reasonable time after a conflict arises or becomes known. Clarify all entities may develop an internal conflict of interest mitigation plan for eligible conflicts in consultation with the Oneida Law Office, the Nation’s Human Resources Department, and other departments of the Nation as needed. Clarify that members have an ongoing duty to disclose and shall promptly disclose and comply with the requirements of a conflict of interest mitigation plan. Clarify enforcement provisions. Include appeal rights; if applicable, a member shall have the right to appeal an enforcement action pursuant to the requirements and procedures regarding appeals of the law under which the member received a sanction or penalty. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD CLOSES JUNE 18, 2026. Individuals may attend the public meeting for the proposed Boards, Committees, and Commissions law amendments in person at the Norbert Hill Center, or virtually through Microsoft Teams. If you wish to attend the public meeting through Microsoft Teams please contact LOC@oneidanation.org. During the public comment period, anyone may submit written comments, questions or input. Comments may be submitted to the Oneida Nation Secretary’s Office or the Legislative Reference Office in person, by U.S. mail, interoffice mail, or e-mail. For more information on the proposed Boards, Committees, and Commissions law amendments please review the public meeting packet at oneida-nsn.gov/government/register/public meetings. 8 of 283 Analysis to Draft 8 2026 05 06 BOARDS, COMMITTEES, AND COMMISSIONS LAW AMENDMENTS LEGISLATIVE ANALYSIS SECTION 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Analysis by the Legislative Reference Office Intent of the Legislation or Amendments ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ Clarify it is the purpose of the amendments to establish clear standards of conduct. [1 O.C. 105.1-1]. Clarify it is the policy of the Nation that appointed and elected individuals serving on a board, committee, or commission of the Nation carry themselves in a way that brings honor to the Oneida people and government. [1 O.C 105.1-2]. Strengthen, clarify, and add definitions for Conflict of Interest, fiscal year, letter, member, political appointee, and Secretary. [1 O.C. 105.3-1(h); (l); (n); (o); (r); (t)]. Clarify the Oneida Business Committee or designee shall be responsible for drafting the initial bylaws and the Oneida Business Committee will approve the initial bylaws. [1 O.C 105.4-3; 105.4-4]. Clarify the responsibilities of the Boards, Committees, Commissions Department, including: ▪ responsibilities once managed by the Business Committee Support Office; and ▪ managing offboarding procedures for when a member leaves an entity. [1 O.C. 105.10-2]. Clarify when a member’s term ends, the member may remain in their position until the successor is sworn in but no longer than sixty (60) business days. This helps prevent discontinuation of services but by setting a sixty-day (60) deadline also reinforces appropriate turnover. [1 O.C. 105.6-2(a)(1)]. Clarify all entities must be in compliance with the Nation’s travel policies. [1 O.C. 105.11-3(7)]. Clarify all entities must address conflict resolution and leaves of absence in their bylaws. [1 O.C. 105.11-3(d)(6)-(7)]. Clarify all entities must include a procedure for withholding a member’s stipend in their bylaws. [1 O.C. 105.11-3(e)]. Clarify that rather than the requirement to submit quarterly reports to the Oneida Business Committee, all entities will be required to submit at least two reports each fiscal year to the Oneida Business Committee. [1 O.C. 105.13-3]. Clarify all entities may hold virtual meetings pursuant to any requirements established by the Oneida Business Committee and pursuant to any additional requirements established by the entity. [1 O.C. 105.14-8]. Page 1 of 11 9 of 283 Analysis to Draft 8 2026 05 06 ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ Clarify that every appointed and elected member will receive an official Oneida Nation email address. [1 O.C. 105.15]. Clarify standards of conduct such as: ▪ good mind; ▪ cultural accountability; ▪ several instances of prohibited conduct; ▪ attendance and meeting conduct; ▪ nepotism; ▪ gifts and honorarium; and ▪ fair dealing and impartiality. [1 O.C. 105.16]. Clarify how the Nation will manage actual or implied conflicts of interest including the creation and maintenance of annual and as-needed disclosure forms. [1 O.C. 105.16-8(a)]. Add a requirement that all members shall submit disclosure forms annually and within a reasonable time after a conflict arises or becomes known. [1 O.C 105.16-8(a)(3)]. Clarify all entities may develop an internal conflict of interest mitigation plan for eligible conflicts in consultation with the Oneida Law Office, the Nation’s Human Resources Department, and other departments of the Nation as needed. [1 O.C. 105.16-8(b)(1)]. Clarify which positions may not be eligible to serve on an appointed or elected board because of the potential for an actual or implied conflict of interest. [1 O.C. 105.16-8(c)]. Clarify that members have an ongoing duty to disclose and shall promptly disclose and comply with the requirements of a conflict of interest mitigation plan. [1 O.C. 105.16-8(d)]. Clarify enforcement provisions. [1 O.C. 105.19]. Include appeal rights; if applicable, a member shall have the right to appeal an enforcement action pursuant to the requirements and procedures regarding appeals of the law under which the member received a sanction or penalty. [1 O.C. 105.19-4]. Various grammatical changes and other minor changes throughout the law. Purpose It is the purpose of this law to govern boards, committees, and commissions of the Nation, including the procedures regarding the appointment and election of individuals to boards, committees and commissions, creation of bylaws, maintenance of official records, compensation, to establish clear standards of conduct, and other items related to boards, committees, and commissions. [1 O.C. 105.1-1]. Affected Entities All Boards, Committees, and Commissions of the Nation, the Boards, Committees, and Commissions Department, the Governmental Administrative Office, the Oneida Business Committee. Page 2 of 11 10 of 283 Analysis to Draft 8 2026 05 06 Enforcement Any appointed member of an entity found to be in violation of this law may be subject to termination of appointment by the Oneida Business Committee, loss of stipend, or any other penalty identified in the entity’s bylaws. [1 O.C. 105.19-1]. Any elected member of an entity found to be in violation of this law may be subject to loss of stipend or any other sanction or penalty in accordance with any laws or policies of the Nation governing sanctions and penalties, removal pursuant to any laws or policies of the Nation governing removal, or any other penalty identified by the entity in their bylaws. [1 O.C. 105.19-2]. Enforcement provisions are also found in various subsections throughout the entire law, such as: ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ Due Process The requirement that all entities address in their bylaws the reasons for termination and removal of a member, if any, in addition to those identified in laws or policies of the Nation. [1 O.C. 105.11-3(6)]. The requirement that all entities address in their bylaws behavioral expectations and requirements for members and how the entity will enforce those expectations and requirements. [1 O.C. 105.11(3)(d)]. The requirement that all entities shall address in their bylaws a procedure for withholding a member’s stipend. [1 O.C. 105.11-3(e)(1)]. If an entity fails to comply with the reporting requirements of this law, the Oneida Business Committee may place a hold on the release of a stipend payment. [1 O.C. 105.13-5]. Once the Boards, Committees, Commissions Department has certified all applications for appointed positions, delivered the applications to the Oneida Business Committee, and the Oneida Business Committee has held a full and complete discussion of the merits and qualifications of the potential applicants and any recommendation made by the Chairperson of the entity during executive session, the Oneida Business Committee shall select an applicant for appointment. [1 O.C. 105.7-1]. All appointments shall be made during open session of the Oneida Business Committee. [1 O.C. 105.7-1(d)-(e)]. Once an individual is selected for appointment at an Oneida Business Committee meeting, the Secretary shall notify all applicants of the final status of their application. [1 O.C. 105.7-2]. All elected positions shall be nominated at a caucus called by the Oneida Election Board or by applying for ballot placement in accordance with the Nation’s laws or policies governing elections. [1 O.C. 105.8]. All other processes for the election of a member of an entity shall be pursuant to the Nation’s laws or policies governing elections. [1 O.C. 105.8-2]. Page 3 of 11 11 of 283 Analysis to Draft 8 2026 05 06 If applicable, a member shall have the right to appeal an enforcement action pursuant to the requirements and procedures regarding appeals of the law under which the member received a sanction or penalty. [1 O.C. 105.19-4]. Public Meeting A public meeting will be scheduled to be held on June 11, 2026, with a public comment period held open until June 18, 2026. Fiscal Impact A fiscal impact statement prepared in accordance with the Legislative Procedures Act has not been requested. 1 SECTION 2. LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENT 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 A. Background. The Boards, Committees, and Commissions Law was originally adopted by the Oneida Business Committee on August 2, 1995, through resolution BC-08-02-95-A. The law was subsequently amended by the Oneida Business Committee on May 14, 1997, through resolution BC-05-14-97-F. The law was emergency amended by the Oneida Business Committee on April 12, 2006, through resolution BC-04-12-06-JJ. The emergency amendments were then permanently adopted by the Oneida Business Committee on September 27, 2006, through resolution BC-09-27-06-E. The law was then amended by the Oneida Business Committee on September 22, 2010, through resolution BC-09-22-10-C and on September 26, 2018, through resolution BC-09-26-18-C. The law was emergency amended by the Oneida Business Committee on March 11, 2020, through resolution BC-03-11-20-B and on March 17, 2020, through resolution BC-03-17-20-C. The law was most recently amended by the Oneida Business Committee on August 12, 2020, through resolution BC-08-12-20-B. B. Request for Amendments. This item was added to the Active Files List on February 7, 2024, at the request of the Oneida Business Committee to address the eligibility of veterans to serve on any and all veteran related committees and to have open eligibility requirements with no exclusions. The sponsor of the Boards, Committees, Commissions law amendments is Councilman Kirby Metoxen. 18 SECTION 3. CONSULTATION AND OUTREACH 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 ▪ • Representatives from the following departments or entities participated in the development of the amendments to this Law and legislative analysis: ▪ Oneida Boards, Committees, Commissions Department (“BCC Department”); ▪ Oneida Government Administrative Office (“GAO”); ▪ Oneida Law Office; and ▪ CEO of Nation Services. The following laws of the Nation were reviewed in the drafting of this analysis: ▪ Code of Ethics law [1 O.C. 103]; ▪ Conflict of Interest [2 O.C. 217]; ▪ Removal Law [1 O.C. 104]; ▪ Sanctions and Penalties [1 O.C. 120]; and ▪ Election Law [1 O.C. 102]. Page 4 of 11 12 of 283 Analysis to Draft 8 2026 05 06 32 SECTION 4. PROCESS 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 A. The amendments to this Law comply with the process set forth in the Legislative Procedures Act. ▪ On February 7, 2024, the Legislative Operating Committee added this Law to its Active Files List for amendments this legislative term. ▪ On March 18, 2026, the Legislative Operating Committee approved the draft of the Boards, Committees, and Commissions Law Amendments and directed the Legislative Reference Office to complete a Legislative Analysis. ▪ On April 15, 2026, the Legislative Operating Committee approved the draft and Legislative Analysis to the proposed amendments to the Boards, Committees, and Commissions law. B. At the time this legislative analysis was developed the following work meetings had been held regarding the development of the amendments to this law: ▪ February 20, 2024: LOC work meeting with GAO. ▪ October 24, 2024: LOC work meeting. ▪ February 7, 2025: LOC work meeting with the BCC Department, GAO, the Oneida Law Office, and the CEO of Nation Services. ▪ May 21, 2025: LOC work meeting with the BCC Department, GAO, the Oneida Law Office, and the CEO of Nation Services. ▪ September 12, 2025: LOC work meeting with the BCC Department, GAO, and the Oneida Law Office. ▪ October 27, 2025: LOC work meeting with the BCC Department and GAO. ▪ February 3, 2026: LOC work meeting with the BCC Department, GAO, the Oneida Law Office, and the CEO of Nation Services. ▪ February 26, 2026: LOC work meeting with the BCC Department, GAO, and the Oneida Law Office. ▪ March 13, 2026: LOC work meeting with the BCC Department when the LOC informally approved the draft. C. At the time this legislative analysis was developed the following community event had been held regarding the development of amendments to this law: ▪ December 4, 2024: Community Meeting. The Legislative Operating Committee held a community meeting in the cafeteria of the Norbert Hill Center to gather input from the community on amendments to the Boards, Committees, and Commissions law. 64 SECTION 5. CONTENTS OF THE LEGISLATION 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 A. Purpose and Application of the Law. Overall, the proposed amendments improve the governance of boards, committees, and commissions of the Nation by enhancing the procedural requirements of boards, committees, and commissions to conduct business, manage internal operations, and manage members. [1 O.C 105.1-1; 1 O.C. 105.10; 1 O.C 105.11; 1 O.C. 105.13; 1 O.C. 105.16]. ▪ Effect. The proposed amendments establish clear standards of conduct for appointed and elected members and clear standards for the reporting, internal maintenance and management of each board, committee, or commission of the Nation which enhances the Nation’s ability to self-govern through the use of its boards, committees, and commissions. Page 5 of 11 13 of 283 Analysis to Draft 8 2026 05 06 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 B. Enhancing Policy. The proposed amendments expand the policy section of this law by making it the policy of the Nation to ensure appointed and elected members reflect the values of the Good Mind. [1 O.C. 105.1-2]. ▪ Effect. By expanding the policy section to make it a policy of the Nation that appointed and elected members of all entities carry themselves in a way that brings honor to the Oneida people and government, walk with integrity, and uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct as elaborated through principles of the Good Mind, the proposed amendments strengthen the Nation’s ability to ethically and efficiently self-govern through the use of its boards, committees, and commissions and according to its traditional ways. C. Transition from Business Committee Support Office to BCC Department. The proposed amendments clarify the BCC Department, not the Oneida Business Committee Support Office, will be responsible for all administrative responsibilities related to the posting and processing of applications, vacancies, and resignations, managing oaths of office, offboarding procedures, managing official budgetary signoff for all entities, managing minutes and Standard Operating Procedures, managing records and materials relating to the dissolution of an entity, and providing notice to an appointed member if their stipend is withheld. [1 O.C. 105.5; 1 O.C. 105.6; 1 O.C. 105.7; 1 O.C. 105.9; 1 O.C. 105.10-2; 1 O.C. 105.11-3(b); 1 O.C. 105.11-3(f); 1 O.C 105.13; 1 O.C. 105.18; 1 O.C. 105.19]. ▪ Effect. The proposed amendments clarify the responsibilities of the BCC Department which is the correct Department of the Nation to assist in managing all entities of the Nation. D. Onboarding and Offboarding Procedures. The proposed amendments require all members to complete both onboarding and offboarding procedures. [1 O.C. 105.10]. The proposed amendments standardize the expectations of all members before they begin official duties and at the conclusion of their official duties. [Id]. ▪ Effect. The proposed amendments clarify the requirements of all new members to complete before they begin official duties and the requirements when a member leaves an entity which will ensure consistency and appropriate turnover, reinforcing the ability of the Nation to selfgovern through the use of its boards, committee, and commissions. E. Bylaws. The proposed amendments clarify various provisions of the requirement for all entities to have bylaws that conform to the requirements of the law. [1 O.C. 105.11]. ▪ All entities shall address travel for training and conferences and shall be in compliance with the Nation’s travel policies. [105.11-3]. ▪ All entities shall address Conflict Resolution and Leave of Absences. [1 O.C. 105.11-3(d)]. ▪ All entities shall include a procedure to withhold a member’s stipend if that member does not meet the requirements, as established in the entity’s bylaws, to collect a stipend. [1 O.C. 105.11-3(e)]. ▪ Effect. The proposed amendments clarify and strengthen each entity’s ability to establish its own processes and procedures for self-governance in its bylaws which ultimately enhances the Nation’s ability to self-govern through the use of its boards, committees, and commissions. F. Reporting Requirements. The proposed amendments clarify the reporting of meeting minutes and standard operating procedures will be made to the BCC Department. [1 O.C. 105.13-2; 1 O.C. 105.132]. The proposed amendments further clarify that rather than the requirement to submit quarterly reports to the Oneida Business Committee, each entity will now be required to submit two reports each fiscal year. [1 O.C. 105.13-3]. Page 6 of 11 14 of 283 Analysis to Draft 8 2026 05 06 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 ▪ Effect. The proposed amendments clarify which Department will assist all entities in filing meeting minutes and standard operating procedures and by reducing the frequency of required reporting will ensure each report reflects substantive accomplishments and goals. G. Virtual Meetings. The proposed amendments clarify all entities may hold virtual meetings if the entity complies with any requirements established by the Oneida Business Committee and any additional requirements established by the entity. [1 O.C. 105.14-8]. The proposed amendments also include four minimum requirements for virtual meetings. [1 O.C. 105.14-8(a)-(d)]. ▪ Effect. The proposed amendment clarifies all entities may hold virtual meetings subject to some conditions. The proposed amendment allows all entities to continue operations despite any unforeseen circumstances which may require virtual meetings. H. Oneida Email Address. The proposed amendments include a new section addressing the creation, use, and management of an official Oneida Nation email address for each member of an entity. [1 O.C. 105.15]. ▪ Effect. The proposed amendment clarifies the Nation’s responsibility to create an official Oneida Nation email address and requires all members to use the official Oneida Nation email address to conduct any business of the entity. The proposed amendments clarify both the Nation’s responsibility to create and the Nation’s and all members’ responsibility to use and maintain an official Oneida Nation email address. I. Standards of Conduct. The proposed amendments include a new section addressing various standards of conduct. [1 O.C. 105.16]. The new standards include: ▪ good mind; ▪ cultural accountability; ▪ several instances of prohibited conduct; ▪ attendance and meeting conduct; ▪ nepotism; ▪ gifts and honorarium; ▪ fair dealing and impartiality; and ▪ accountability and transparency. [1 O.C. 105.16-1; 1 O.C. 105.16-2; 1 O.C. 105.16-3; 1 O.C. 105.16-4; 1 O.C. 105.16-5; 1 O.C. 105.16-6; 1 O.C. 105.16-9; 1 O.C. 105.16-10]. ▪ The proposed amendments also clarify the requirement to maintain confidentiality. [1 O.C 105.16-7]. ▪ Effect. The proposed amendments strengthen, clarify, and standardize the Nation’s expectations regarding all appointed and elected members of its boards, committees, and commissions. J. Conflict of Interest. The proposed amendments clarify the duty to disclose conflicts of interest, the creation and maintenance of conflict of interest disclosure forms, the development of a conflict of interest mitigation plan, and identifies which individuals may be ineligible to serve on an entity of the Nation. [1 O.C. 105.16-8]. ▪ Effect. The proposed amendments strengthen the Nation’s ability to manage conflict of interest and to protect its interests from any actual or implied or future conflict of interest. K. Enforcement. The proposed amendments clarify the enforcement for all appointed and elected members found to be in violation of the law. [1 O.C. 105.19]. The proposed amendments distinguish appointed and elected members and any enforcement actions that may apply to an appointed member versus an elected member. [1 O.C. 105.19-1; 1 O.C. 105.19-2]. Page 7 of 11 15 of 283 Analysis to Draft 8 2026 05 06 160 161 162 163 164 165 Effect. The proposed amendments clarify enforcement mechanisms against any appointed or elected member found to be in violation of the law; thereby, enhancing the Nation’s ability to self-govern by ensuring its appointed and elected members are accountable and can receive enforcement actions if they are found to be in violation of the law. L. Other amendments. Overall, a variety of other amendments and revisions were made to the law to address formatting, drafting style, and organization that did not affect the substance of the law. 166 SECTION 6. EXISTING LEGISLATION 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 A. Related legislation. The following laws of the Nation are related to the proposed amendments to this law: ▪ Code of Ethics Law. The Code of Ethics law is currently being amended. ▪ Currently, “[i]t is the policy of the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin to promote the highest ethical conduct in all of its elected and appointed officials, and employees. This Code of Ethics represents a beginning, it is the very minimum standard of conduct which is expected. This Code is intended to create a base from which all persons are expected to work upwards and strive to work toward improving the health, safety and welfare of the Oneida Nation, citizens of the Nation, employees of the Tribe, and persons living in and around the jurisdiction of the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin.” [1 O.C. 103.1-1]. ▪ In the proposed amendments, the purpose of the law will be “to establish clear standards of conduct rooted in the values of the Oneida people, to guide the Oneida Business Committee in serving the Nation with honor and responsibility. These standards reflect the sacred trust between the government and the people, and are intended to promote integrity, uphold the will of the Nation, and preserve the confidence of the Oneida people. In a government founded upon the consent of the people, it is the right of the Oneida to expect loyalty, honesty, and accountability from those who serve.” [1 O.C. 103.1-1]. ▪ The proposed amendments to the Code of Ethics law remove its application to appointed and elected members and because of this amendment most Standards of Conduct that were once addressed in the Code of Ethics have been moved to the proposed amendments to the Boards, Committees, and Commissions law as applicable to appointed and elected members. [1 O.C. 105.16]. ▪ The proposed amendments align with the proposed amendments to the Code of Ethics law by streamlining the Nation’s ability to monitor and establish standards regarding the behavior of its appointed and elected members. ▪ Conflict of Interest Law. The Conflict of Interest law is currently being amended. ▪ Currently, “[t]he purpose of this law is for the Nation to ensure that all employees, contractors, elected officials, officers, political appointees, appointed and elected members and all others who may have access to information or materials that are confidential or may be used by competitors of the Nation’s enterprises or interests be subject to specific limitations to which such information and materials may be used in order to protect the interests of the Nation.” [2 O.C. 217.1-1]. ▪ In the proposed amendments, the amended purpose of the law will remove elected officials and appointed and elected members and only be for the purpose ▪ Page 8 of 11 16 of 283 Analysis to Draft 8 2026 05 06 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 ▪ ▪ of ensuring all employees, contractors, political appointees, and all others who may have access to information or materials that are confidential or may be used by competitors of the Nation’s enterprises or interests be subject to specific limitations to which such information and materials may be used in order to protect the interests of the Nation.” [Id]. ▪ The proposed amendments change the application of the conflict of interest law and remove the coverage of appointed and elected members. [2 O.C. 217.4-1]. ▪ While appointed and elected members are being removed from the Conflict of Interest law, the provisions regarding conflicts of interest in the Boards, Committees, and Commissions law are being strengthened. [1 O.C. 105.16-8]. ▪ The proposed amendments align with proposed amendments to the Conflict of Interest law by streamlining the Nation’s ability to monitor and enforce conflict of interests. The proposed amendments to this law strengthen the Nation’s ability to monitor conflict of interest as applicable solely to members of boards, committees, and commissions. Removal Law. The purpose of the Removal law is to govern the removal of persons elected to serve on boards, committees, and commissions of the Oneida Nation. [1 O.C. 104.1-1]. ▪ The Removal law contains various grounds for removal including: ▪ failure to attend four (4) regularly scheduled meetings without a written explanation; ▪ failure to attend fifty percent (50%) of an entity’s regular scheduled meetings within a twelve (12) month period for any reason provided that this subsection shall not apply to the Oneida Business Committee; ▪ intentional misuse of Tribal funds; ▪ alcohol use while performing official responsibilities or use of illegal drugs at any time; ▪ if he or she no longer meets the qualifications for office; ▪ violating a Tribal law which specifies removal as a penalty; or ▪ felony conviction while in office. [1O.C. 104.4]. ▪ The Removal law contains a procedure for removing an appointed or elected member. [1 O.C. 104.5; 1 O.C. 104.6; 1 O.C. 104.7; 1 O.C. 104.8]. ▪ The proposed amendments to the Boards, Committees, and Commissions law align with the Removal law by deferring to its standards and procedures for the removal of an elected member and allowing any elected member found to be in violation of the Boards, Committees, and Commissions law to potentially face removal according to the standards of the Removal Law. Sanctions and Penalties Law. There is no currently adopted Sanctions and Penalties Law. To complete this legislative analysis, the proposed law was reviewed. Most recently, on April 15, 2026, the Oneida Business Committee approved a draft to send to the General Tribal Council for consideration. The Oneida Business Committee also attempted to gain General Tribal Council approval of the draft on January 5, 2026, when the Oneida Business Committee presented the approved draft to the General Tribal Council for adoption. The General Tribal Council did not vote to adopt the law; therefore, the Oneida Business Committee has again approved a draft and will again present that draft to the General Tribal Council for approval Page 9 of 11 17 of 283 Analysis to Draft 8 2026 05 06 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 ▪ and adoption. The Legislative Operating Committee and the Oneida Business Committee plan to continue addressing the adoption of a Sanction and Penalties law with the General Tribal Council; therefore, amendments to the Boards, Committees, and Commissions law keep reference to a Sanction and Penalties Law, and in preparing this legislative analysis the proposed draft was reviewed and considered. ▪ The purpose of a Sanctions and Penalties law would be to address the misconduct and promote accountability and improved performance of the official, to establish a consistent set of sanctions and penalties that may be imposed upon elected officials of the Nation for misconduct in office in order to provide an opportunity for the official to take corrective action. [1 O.C. 120.1-1]. ▪ Rather than include a new section on sanction and penalties in the Boards, Committees, Commissions law, it is the Legislative Operating Committee’s and the Oneida Business Committee’s belief that addressing sanctions and penalties in one law is in the best interests of the Nation and will provide the Nation a standardized process and procedure to hold accountable all individuals who are appointed or elected; thereby enhancing the Nation’s self-governance. Election Law. It is the intent of the Election law to govern the procedures for the conduct of orderly elections of the Nation, including pre-election activities such as caucuses and nominations. [1 O.C. 102.1-1]. ▪ The election law contains the requirements to conduct elections of the Nation including the election for elected members of boards, committees, or commissions. [1 O.C. [1]02.6; 102.9]. ▪ The proposed amendments to the Boards, Committees, and Commissions law align with the Election law by citing to its requirements and requiring all elections for elected members of a board, committee, or commission align with its requirements. 274 SECTION 7. ENFORCEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 A. Amendments to the Boards, Committees, Commissions law enhance the enforcement mechanisms required of each board, committee, or commission to include in their bylaws. [1 O. C 105.11]. B. Amendments to the Boards, Committees, Commissions law clarify the reporting requirements of each board, committee, or commission to submit at least two reports, rather than quarterly reports, to the Oneida Business Committee. [1 O.C. 105.13-3]. C. Amendments to the Boards, Committees, and Commissions law enhance the behavioral expectations of appointed and elected members by adding a new section regarding Standards of Conduct. [I O.C. 105.16]. D. Amendments to the Boards, Committees, Commissions law clarify enforcement provisions relating to the activity and functioning of a board, committee, or commission, and the conduct of individual members by strengthening the provisions of the enforcement section. [1 O.C. 105.19]. 287 SECTION 8. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS 288 289 A. Fiscal Impact. Under the Legislative Procedures Act, a fiscal impact statement is required for all legislation except emergency legislation [1 O.C. 109.6-1]. Oneida Business Committee resolution BC- Page 10 of 11 18 of 283 Analysis to Draft 8 2026 05 06 290 291 292 293 294 295 10-28-20-A titled, “Further Interpretation of ‘Fiscal Impact Statement’ in the Legislative Procedures Act,” provides further clarification on who the Legislative Operating Committee may direct complete a fiscal impact statement at various stages of the legislative process, as well as timeframes for completing the fiscal impact statement. ▪ Conclusion. The Legislative Operating Committee has not yet directed that a fiscal impact be completed. Page 11 of 11 19 of 283 Draft 8 (Redline to Current) PM Draft 2026 05 06 Title 1. Government and Finances – Chapter 105 Laotiyanlsh&ha k Their laws of the groups we have BOARDS, COMMITTEES, AND COMMISSIONS 105.1. Purpose and Policy 105.2. Adoption, Amendment, Repeal 105.3. Definitions 105.4. Creation of an Entity 105.5. Applications 105.6. Vacancies 105.7. Appointment to an Entity 105.8. Election to an Entity 105.9. Oath of Office 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 32 105.10. Other Responsibilities 105.11. Bylaws 105.121 Electronic Polling 105.132. Reporting Requirements 105.143. Stipends, Reimbursement and Compensation 105.154. Official Oneida Nation Email Address 105.16. Standards of Conduct Confidential Information 105.15. Conflicts of Interest 105.176. Use of the Nation’s Assets 105.187. Dissolution of an Entity 105.198. Enforcement ______________________________________________________________________________ 105.1. Purpose and Policy 105.1-1. Purpose. It is the purpose of this law to govern boards, committees, and commissions of the Nation, including the procedures regarding the appointment and election of individuals persons to boards, committees, and commissions, creation of bylaws, maintenance of official records, compensation, to establish clear standards of conduct, and other items related to boards, committees, and commissions. (a) This law shall not apply to the Oneida Business Committee, or standing committees of the Oneida Business Committee. (b) This law does not apply to Tribal corporations due to the corporate structure and autonomy of those entities. 105.1-2. Policy. It is the policy of the Nation to have consistent and standard procedures for choosing and appointing or electing the most qualified individuals persons to boards, committees, and commissions, for creation of bylaws governing boards, committees, and commissions, and for the maintenance of information created by, and for, boards, committees, and commissions. (a) It is further the policy of the Nation that appointed and elected individuals serving on a board, committee, or commission of the Nation carry themselves in a way that brings honor to the Oneida people and government. They shall walk with integrity, follow the laws of the Nation, and uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct in all their duties. All appointed and elected individuals shall strive to exhibit and uphold the Nation’s core values of The Good Mind as expressed by Ona=ka, which includes: (a) Kahletsyal&sla. The heartfelt encouragement of the best in each of us. (b) Kanolukhw@sla. Compassion, caring, identity, and joy of being. (c) Ka>nikuhli=y%. The openness of the good spirit and mind. (d) Ka>tshatst^sla. The strength of belief and vision as a People. (e) Kalihwi=y%. The use of the good words about ourselves, our Nation, and our future. (f) Twahwahts$lay Their laws of the groups we have BOARDS, COMMITTEES, AND COMMISSIONS 105.1. Purpose and Policy 105.2. Adoption, Amendment, Repeal 105.3. Definitions 105.4. Creation of an Entity 105.5. Applications 105.6. Vacancies 105.7. Appointment to an Entity 105.8. Election to an Entity 105.9. Oath of Office 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 32 105.10. Other Responsibilities 105.11. Bylaws 105.12 Electronic Polling 105.13. Reporting Requirements 105.14. Stipends, Reimbursement and Compensation 105.15. Official Oneida Nation Email Address 105.16. Standards of Conduct 105.17. Use of the Nation’s Assets 105.18. Dissolution of an Entity 105.19. Enforcement ______________________________________________________________________________ 105.1. Purpose and Policy 105.1-1. Purpose. It is the purpose of this law to govern boards, committees, and commissions of the Nation, including the procedures regarding the appointment and election of individuals to boards, committees, and commissions, creation of bylaws, maintenance of official records, compensation, to establish clear standards of conduct, and other items related to boards, committees, and commissions. (a) This law shall not apply to the Oneida Business Committee or standing committees of the Oneida Business Committee. (b) This law does not apply to Tribal corporations due to the corporate structure and autonomy of those entities. 105.1-2. Policy. It is the policy of the Nation to have consistent and standard procedures for choosing and appointing or electing the most qualified individuals to boards, committees, and commissions, for creation of bylaws governing boards, committees, and commissions, and for the maintenance of information created by, and for, boards, committees, and commissions. (a) It is further the policy of the Nation that appointed and elected individuals serving on a board, committee, or commission of the Nation carry themselves in a way that brings honor to the Oneida people and government. They shall walk with integrity, follow the laws of the Nation, and uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct in all their duties. All appointed and elected individuals shall strive to exhibit and uphold the Nation’s core values of The Good Mind as expressed by Ona=ka, which includes: (1) Kahletsyal&sla. The heartfelt encouragement of the best in each of us. (2) Kanolukhw@sla. Compassion, caring, identity, and joy of being. (3) Ka>nikuhli=y%. The openness of the good spirit and mind. (4) Ka>tshatst^sla. The strength of belief and vision as a People. (5) Kalihwi=y%. The use of the good words about ourselves, our Nation, and our future. (6) Twahwahts$laya=ka, which includes: (a) Kahletsyal&sla. The heartfelt encouragement of the best in each of us. (b) Kanolukhw@sla. Compassion, caring, identity, and joy of being. (c) Ka>nikuhli=y%. The openness of the good spirit and mind. (d) Ka>tshatst^sla. The strength of belief and vision as a People. (e) Kalihwi=y%. The use of the good words about ourselves, our Nation, and our future. (f) Twahwahts$laya=ka, which includes: (a) Kahletsyal&sla. The heartfelt encouragement of the best in each of us. (b) Kanolukhw@sla. Compassion, caring, identity, and joy of being. (c) Ka>nikuhli=y%. The openness of the good spirit and mind. (d) Ka>tshatst^sla. The strength of belief and vision as a People. (e) Kalihwi=y%. The use of the good words about ourselves, our Nation, and our future. (f) Twahwahts$laya=ka, which includes: (a) Kahletsyal&sla. The heartfelt encouragement of the best in each of us. (b) Kanolukhw@sla. Compassion, caring, identity, and joy of being. (c) Ka>nikuhli=y%. The openness of the good spirit and mind. (d) Ka>tshatst^sla. The strength of belief and vision as a People. A good mind. A good heart. A strong fire. Page 11 of 24 ~ ONEIDA 104 of 283 (e) Kalihwi=y%. The use of the good words about ourselves, our Nation, and our future. (f) Twahwahts$lay Sent: Friday, April 3, 2026 6:41 PM To: LOC Subject: Subject: Elder Protection Law As an elder Oneida Tribal member and previous EAs the E lder Abuse Prevention Coordinator/Services Supervisor from 2004-2015 I would uld like to add one more item to the elder abuse classifications list. e more item or ... that would be Unreasonable Confinement or Restraint; as prosecutable in Wisconsin's Elder Abuse (Statute 46.90). It is defined as: The intentional and unnecessary confinement of an individual in a locked room, involuntary separation from his or her living area, use of physical restraints on an individual, or the provision of unnecessary or excessive medication. This does not include the use of these methods or devices if they conform with state and federal standards governing confinenment and restraint. I have some great concerns regarding confidentiality of both the potential victim as well as the reporter. The reporter has a right to remain confidential as otherwise their safety could be endangered. Furthermore an elder abuse potential or substantiated victim has a right to remain and have their name remain anonymous also. Visits and initial investigations to an potential victim are held in 133 of 283 the strictest of confidence. The Social Worker visits the elder initially if it is any category of elder abuse except an emergent one *Due to the untrusting nature of many of our tribal elderly a number of them would not allow entrance from an investigator other than one of their own people. That could put them at higher abuse risk. The benefit of Lead Agency Status helped to alleViate hat challenge. I will continue to read as much as I can before April 16th meeting at the Norbert Hill Center. And will plan on voicing my other ideas, input, and questions then too. Due to eyesight issues i am challenged significantly when reading less than very large print. I do have a significanty personal comment: I do not understand how or when the Oneida Nation decided to write it's own Elder Abuse Laws. I guess at this time it is what it is though. The tribe had a very mutually respectful relationship with Bown County, Outagmie County and the State of Wisconsin at the time of my retirement in 2015. Our Oneida Nation was granted Lead Agency status around 1993. That meant we held equal status to other of our state's counties in Wisconsin. We received reports from other counties when elder abuse was reported to them regarding elders resideing within reservation boundaries. We had Memorandum's of Understanding's (MOU's) with both counties; Oneida Police Department (OPD); as well as Oneida Domestic Violence (ODV). Our program and Tribe were way ahead of the other Tribes within the State of Wisconsin. It took many years to reach an amazingly well working miutually respectful system with our cohorts that seriously 134 of 283 proclaimed and upheld any fotm of elder abuse as a categorical and prosecutable crime. In around 2004 the Great Lkes Native Akmerican Elder Abuse program began to gather Elder Abuse Codes or Resolutions to support each other in proclaiming elder abuse as something we would not tolerate in our ative communities. At each bi-monthly meeting we discussed confidential elder abuse issues & advised each other on how to report or how to assist individuals much like is being proposed with this new law. We had Elder Abuse Attorney's come to present at these meetings also. I took our Tribal Resolution to the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal (GLITC) meeting in about 2005 for their support & signatures. It was then signed by Gerald Danforth, Oneida Tribal Chairman and the other (11) Wisconsin Tribal Chairmen. Tent was merely to support each oher as we were and have an official acknowldgement of that elder abuse stance from our (GLITC) Board. The Sate of Wisconsin enhances penalties such as assault when the crime involves an elder 60+ years old. And they also may add to that sentance maximum sentences depending on the severity of the abuse. Please do not treat our Oneida members as any less important; to do so would be a great injustice. I do not understand why anyone thinks this new law will benefit our Tribe oir why some think change is necessary. I did my Social Work internships through Outagamike County. And after graduation a few years later I 135 of 283 accepted employment with the Oneida Nation from 2004-2015. It was an honor & pleasure to work with my elders. I do hold the highest hopes that this new Oneida Elder Abuse Law is absolutely in the best interest of our vulnerable elderly community. Our elders need to be confident that abuse committed against them will be addressed by more than a slap on the hands. I don't feel confident that fines will deter many from abusing the elderly. And for someone who would steal Say $20,00 from an elder they can just justify the risk by subracting a $2,000 fine and still have an a $18,000 proifit}. Make that make sense. 136 of 283 Draft 1 2026 02 04 Title 7. Children, Elders & Family - Chapter 706 ELDER PROTECTION 706.1. Purpose and Policy 706.2. Adoption, Amendment, Repeal 706.3. Definitions 706.4. Interdisciplinary Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 706.5. Reporting 706.6. Investigation 706.7. Rights of Parties 706.8. Jurisdiction 706.1. Purpose and Policy 706.1-1. Purpose. The purpose of this law is to uphold the Nation’s responsibility to honor and protect its elders. This law establishes a process to safeguard elders from harm, including abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and exploitation. This process includes: (a) reporting concerns of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and exploitation of elders; (b) investigating reports to ensure the safety and well-being of elders; and (c) providing services and support for elders who require protection from abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and exploitation. 706.1-2. Policy. It is the policy of the Nation to honor, respect, and protect its elders. The Nation recognizes that elders possess unique and irreplaceable stores of knowledge, skill, and experience that enhance and enrich the lives of the entire Nation. The interests of the Nation, now and in the future, are advanced when its elders are confident that they are protected from abuse, neglect, selfneglect, and exploitation. In honoring these principles, the Nation embraces Yukwats$staya=ka, which includes: (a) Kahletsyal&sla. The heartfelt encouragement of the best in each of us. (b) Kanolukhw@sla. Compassion, caring, identity, and joy of being. (c) Ka>nikuhli=y%. The openness of the good spirit and mind. (d) Ka>tshatst^sla. The strength of belief and vision as a People. (e) Kalihwi=y%. The use of the good words about ourselves, our Nation, and our future. (f) Twahwahts$lay okhale> washakonaht&=tha> Aolihw@=ke they shoo them away – they vanished them – issues EVICTION AND TERMINATION 610.1. Purpose and Policy 610.1-1. Purpose. The purpose of this law is to provide consistent procedures for terminating a contract and/or evicting an occupant which affords the occupant due process and protects all parties involved. 610.1-2. Policy. It is the Nation’s policy to provide fair termination and eviction processes that preserves the peace, harmony, safety, health, general welfare, and the Nation’s resources. Nancy Barton (oral): I'll sit down as much as I can. Okay, the first comment that I'll make is regarding Title 6, Property and Land, Chapter 610, formerly known as the Eviction and Termination Law. In the Oneida language, the interpretation means they shoo them away or they vanish them. And so my first comment is, I guess I have, you know, some issues with the interpretation of this law. It looks like you're trying to get rid of people. You know, you want them to go away and you want them to vanish. And how unfortunate. Response The commenter expresses concern regarding the translation provided for the Oneida language title for the Eviction and Termination law. The Oneida language titles of laws and their Oneida to English translation have historically been provided by native Oneida language speakers in the Nation’s Cultural Heritage Department. It is important to note that when translating from the Oneida language to the English language, there is Page 1 of 12 A good mind. A good heart. A strong fire. 152 of 283 often not a direct translation available so the “Oneida to English translation” included is there to provide the reader with a better understanding of the Oneida language that is used. It is important that when looking to interpret the intent law, the reader looks beyond the title and the Oneida translations, and looks at the purpose and policy of the law, as well as generally the whole body of the text included in the Law. For the Eviction and Termination law, its purpose is to provide consistent procedures for terminating a contract and/or evicting an occupant which affords the occupant due process and protects all parties involved. [6 O.C. 610.1-1]. It is the Nation’s policy to provide fair termination and eviction processes that preserves the peace, harmony, safety, health, general welfare, and the Nation’s resources. [6 O.C. 610.1-2]. Overall, the Eviction and Termination law sets out to provide protections for both owners and occupants when navigating the eviction and termination process, and goes beyond just attempting to provide a process to get rid of people as provided for by the commenter. Therefore, there is no revision to the Law recommended based on this comment. LOC Consideration Comment 2 – General Welfare Assistance Payments Effects on Rental Programs: Nancy Barton (oral): The first comment that I'm going to make is regarding the termination of people's leases when they real when housing Comprehensive Housing realizes that those people are elders and that they received a what they're calling a significant amount of GWA payment and they're including it in their rent. This past week, I had an opportunity to view and witness a letter to an elder. She turned sixty-two (62) years old three and a half (3 ½) years ago. And what they're doing now is calculating her GWA back those three and a half (3 ½) years and increasing her rent. She's on a fixed income. That's why you live in housing. She does not have the financial ability to make up those payments. And so I'm concerned about that. We talked about that many times up here. And why is Comprehensive Housing using that income when they're not supposed to be? The Social Security Office doesn't use it. Many other entities don't use it including the state of Wisconsin when calculating income regarding energy assistance and other public assistance programs. So the reason that I came, one of the reasons that I came here today is to address that issue and how unfortunate that this money was, you know, allocated and was supposed to make our people's lives better, especially our elders and those vulnerable people. And when you use this money as a punishment financially against them, then I guess that's when I have an issue. And so I'm going to ask the LOC once again to come back with that GWA issue. I'm not sure what you want to call it, but there is a GWA law, and it's been on the books for many years, and I haven't seen it move forward. And what it's doing is punishing and penalizing our most vulnerable people. Response ~ GDODOO A good mind. A good heart. A strong fire. Page 2 of 12 ONEIDA 153 of 283 The commenter expresses concern regarding how the Oneida Comprehensive Housing Division is using general welfare assistance provided under approved programs developed in accordance with the Oneida General Welfare law in the calculation of income in regard to the determination of rent. The Eviction and Termination law does not provide for the determination of rent amounts for the various rental programs of the Nation. It is the Landlord Tenant law which provides mechanisms for protecting the rights of the landlords and tenants on all land owned by the Nation or Tribal members within the Reservation boundaries, and addresses rental agreements and rental programs of the Nation. [6 O.C. 611.1-1, 611.4, 611.10]. Therefore, this comment is outside the scope of the topic for this public meeting. There is no recommended revision to the Law based on this comment. LOC Consideration Comment 3 – Domestic Abuse Defense to Eviction: 610.5. Early Contract Termination 610.5-2. Domestic Abuse Defense to Eviction. An occupant has a valid defense to eviction if they provide that if not for the claimed domestic abuse, which is noticed to the owner with any of the following documentation, there would not be cause for eviction under section 610.5-1: (a) An injunction order under Wis. Stat. 813.12(4) or any other law of the Nation protecting the occupant from a co-occupant; (b) An injunction order under Wis. Stat. 813.122 or any other law of the Nation protecting a child of the occupant from a co-occupant; (c) An injunction order under Wis. Stat. 813.125(4) or any other law of the Nation protecting the occupant or child of the occupant from a co-occupant, based on the cooccupant’s engaging in an act that would constitute sexual assault under Wis. Stat. 940.225, 948.02 or 948.025, or stalking under Wis. Stat. 940.32, or attempting or threatening to do the same; (d) A condition of release under Wis. Ch. 969 ordering the co-occupant not to contact the occupant; (e) A criminal complaint alleging that the co-occupant sexually assaulted the occupant or a child of the occupant under Wis. Stat. 940.225, 948.02 or 948.025; (f) A criminal complaint alleging that the co-occupant stalked the occupant or a child of the occupant under Wis. Stat. 940.32; or (g) A criminal complaint that was filed against the co-occupant as a result of the cooccupant being arrested for committing a domestic abuse offense against the occupant under Wis. Stat. 968.075. ~ GDODOO A good mind. A good heart. A strong fire. Page 3 of 12 ONEIDA 154 of 283 Nancy Barton (oral): I also want to comment on page four (4) on line 113, where it says a criminal complaint alleging that the code occupant sexually assaulted a child or the occupant, and it gives the Wisconsin state code. And this is a domestic abuse defense to eviction. And so I'm very concerned about that, that that has been included in there that a person who would even commit these crimes would be eligible to move into comprehensive housing. So that was a concern of mine. Response The commenter cites section 610.5-2 of the Law, which provides a defense to eviction for domestic abuse, and expresses concern that a person who would commit a crime, such as sexual assault against a child, would even be allowed to move into a property owned by the Comprehensive Housing Division. Section 610.5-2 of the Law provides that an occupant has a valid defense to eviction if they provide that if not for the claimed domestic abuse, which is noticed to the owner with documentation, there would not be cause for eviction under section 610.5-1 of the Law. Section 610.5-2(a)-(g) then provides the various documentation for various offenses related to domestic abuse that are allowed to be provided as documentation to the owner. Overall, this provision provides protections to occupants that may be the victim of domestic abuse, in an effort to ensure they have the opportunity to remain in their home even though a crime may have occurred that would have otherwise triggered the potential eviction of that occupant. In regard to the commenter’s concern that an individual who may commit one of the referenced domestic abuse crimes be allowed to live in a property owned by the Oneida Comprehensive Housing Division - it is the Landlord Tenant law, not the Eviction and Termination law that provides the mechanisms for protecting the rights of the landlords and tenants on all land owned by the Nation or Tribal members within the Reservation boundaries, and addresses rental programs of the Nation which will provide and address eligibility requirements. [6 O.C. 611.1-1, 611.10]. It is also important to note that although the Landlord Tenant law and the Comprehensive Housing Division sets forth eligibility requirements for its rental programs, including that a potential tenant have no felony or drug convictions within the past two (2) years from the date of application, provided that a pardon or forgiveness received pursuant to the Pardon and Forgiveness law may provide an exception to this condition – the Comprehensive Housing Division is not omnipresent and cannot predict whether or not a tenant will commit a crime in the future. [6 O.C. 611.10-2(b)]. There is no recommended revision to the Law based on this comment. LOC Consideration A good mind. A good heart. A strong fire. Page 4 of 12 ~ ONEIDA 155 of 283 Comment 4 – Eviction for Waste: 610.3. Definitions 610.3-1. This section shall govern the definitions of words and phrases as used herein. All words not defined herein shall be used in their ordinary and everyday sense. (p) “Waste” means physical damage or deterioration caused to the premises, whether intentional or negligent. 610.8. Eviction for Waste or Contract Breach other than Rent Payment 610.8-1. The owner may terminate an occupant’s contract if the occupant commits waste or breaches any covenant or condition of the occupant’s contract, other than for payment of rent. 610.8-2. Notice of Termination. In order to terminate the contract, the owner shall give the occupant written notice requiring the occupant to remedy the default or vacate the premises on or before a date at least thirty (30) calendar days after the giving of the notice, and the occupant fails to remedy the default. 610.8-3. Right to Cure. An occupant shall have a right to cure the waste or breach of contract after receiving a notice of termination. An occupant is deemed to be complying with the notice if promptly upon receipt of such notice the occupant and the owner enter into a written agreement to cure that outlines the reasonable steps for the occupant to take and timelines necessary to remedy the default, and the occupant then complies with the agreement, or if damages are adequate protection for the owner and the occupant makes a bona fide and reasonable offer to pay the owner all damages for the occupant’s breach. 610.8-4. Subsequent Violations. If within one (1) year from the giving of any notice for waste or breaching any covenant or condition of the occupant’s contract, the occupant again commits waste or breaches the same or any other covenant or condition of the occupant’s contract, other than for payment of rent, the occupant’s contract is terminated if the owner, prior to the occupant’s remedying the waste or breach, gives the occupant notice to vacate on or before a date at least fourteen (14) calendar days after the giving of the notice. The owner shall not be required to provide an opportunity to cure for a subsequent violation of waste or a breach of contract. Nancy Barton (oral): The other thing that I want to talk about is on page one hundred (100), or I'm sorry, on page six (6), and it's number line 199, 198 and 199. And it's talking about waste and the occupant committing waste. And I've had on several occasions to be able to talk about the waste and the conditions of the homes and the properties on this reservation. And we have a Zoning Department, we have a Shoreline Protection Ordinance that aren't being followed. And those people that are in charge of those entities, I can't give names, but there are departments and there are chains of command, three (3), four (4), sometimes five (5) levels. And when I have attempted to address the issues of mattresses and cars and garbage and batteries on tribal property, I'm not getting anywhere. So why would you include something that cannot be enforced? I've put my complaints in writing. I've gone to these offices. I've made phone calls and I haven't gotten anywhere with anything. So why would you create a entity that says you don't want waste but you have no way to enforce it. So that was one of another one of those. ~ GDODOO A good mind. A good heart. A strong fire. Page 5 of 12 ONEIDA 156 of 283 Response The commenter references section 610.8 of the Law regarding evictions for waste or contract breach other than rent payment, and expresses concern that waste is not currently being addressed or enforced through laws such as the Zoning and Shoreland Protection law. The Law allows an owner to terminate a contract early and evict an occupant due to waste. Section 610.8-1 of the Law provides that the owner may terminate an occupant’s contract if the occupant commits waste or breaches any covenant or condition of the occupant’s contract, other than for payment of rent. [6 O.C. 610.8-1]. Waste is defined as physical damage or deterioration caused to the premises, whether intentional or negligent. [6 O.C. 610.3-1(p)]. The focus of the Eviction and Termination law is to provide consistent procedures for terminating a contract and/or evicting an occupant which affords the occupant due process and protects all parties involved. [6 O.C. 610.1-1]. The Eviction and Termination law sets out to provide protections for both owners and occupants when navigating the eviction and termination process. The commenter focuses on the current implementation and enforcement of laws such as the Zoning and Shoreland Protection law. Concerns regarding enforcement of laws such as the Zoning and Shoreland Protection law should be directed to the responsible departments as provided for in those laws. This comment is therefore outside the scope of the topic for this public meeting. There is no recommended revision to the Law based on this comment. LOC Consideration Comment 5 – Eviction for Failure to Pay Rent: 610.7. Eviction for Failure to Pay Rents 610.7-1. The owner may terminate an occupant’s contract if an occupant fails to pay any installment of rent when due. 610.7-2. Notice of Termination. In order to terminate the contract, the owner shall give the occupant written notice requiring the occupant to pay rent or vacate on or before a date at least thirty (30) calendar days after the giving of the notice, and if the occupant fails to pay the unpaid rents accordingly. 610.7-3. Right to Cure. An occupant shall have a right to cure the failure to pay rents after receiving a notice of termination. An occupant is deemed to be complying with the notice if promptly upon receipt of such notice the occupant remedies the default by paying the unpaid rent on or before the specified date in the notice. 610.7-4. Subsequent Violations. If within one (1) year from the giving of any notice for the failure to pay rents, the occupant again fails to pay a subsequent installment of rent on time, the occupant’s contract is terminated if the owner, while the occupant is in default in payment of rent, gives the occupant notice to vacate on or before a date at least fourteen (14) ~ GDODOO A good mind. A good heart. A strong fire. Page 6 of 12 ONEIDA 157 of 283 calendar days after the giving of the notice. The owner shall not be required to provide an opportunity to cure for a subsequent violation of unpaid rents. Nancy Barton (oral): The other thing that I want to talk about is on page nine (9), where on page three hundred and thirty-six (336), where a person can be threatened with eviction. And of course, it's almost ninety-nine percent (99%) of the time because of money and the person is given a certain amount of time to make it good and make it right. And I've been involved in many cases, single mothers with children who fall behind because somebody needs glasses, somebody needs tennis shoes, have fallen behind for as little as two and three hundred dollars ($200 and $300) and have been evicted. I have gone to Comprehensive Housing and offered to pay that money. And they said, nope, we're not taking your money. We'll see you in court. When we get to court and the moneys on the table, the person was still evicted for three hundred dollars ($300). And so, you know, a landlord in Green Bay would work with you for three hundred dollars ($300) if you were a single mother with three (3) children. And so how unfortunate that we have become what we become, and we punish our people for three hundred ($300). Response The commenter discusses her concern that an occupant can be evicted for the failure to pay rent, and concern that owners will not work with an occupant to provide an opportunity to address the failure to pay rent. The Law provides that an owner may terminate an occupant’s contract if an occupant fails to pay any installment of rent when due. [6 O.C. 610.7-1]. In order to terminate the contract, the owner is required to give the occupant written notice requiring the occupant to pay rent or vacate on or before a date at least thirty (30) calendar days after the giving of the notice, and if the occupant fails to pay the unpaid rents accordingly. [6 O.C. 610.7-2]. The Law ensures that an owner work with an occupant to rectify a failure to pay rent by providing that an occupant has a right to cure the failure to pay rents after receiving a notice of termination. [6 O.C. 610.7-3]. An occupant is deemed to be complying with the notice if promptly upon receipt of such notice the occupant remedies the default by paying the unpaid rent on or before the specified date in the notice. Id. Due to the fact that the Law ensures that an occupant be provided the right to cure for the failure to pay rent, there is no revision to the Law recommended based on this comment. LOC Consideration Comment 6 – Flood Insurance: Nancy Barton (oral): And, you know, there are currently, I posted a picture about the flooding in Three Sisters, and it wasn't until that post was published that anybody was going to do anything about what was going on over there. My question was, does housing have insurance to cover the ~ GDODOO A good mind. A good heart. A strong fire. Page 7 of 12 ONEIDA 158 of 283 stuff inside? I know, do I have, you didn't say I had a certain amount of time. All right, so then I guess I'm done with that one and then I want to talk about the Elder law and I need to get. Response The commenter brings up recent flooding and questions whether the Comprehensive Housing Division has home insurance to cover damaged property. This comment is outside the scope of the topic for this public meeting. Questions regarding insurance should be directed to the Comprehensive Housing Division. There is no recommended revision to the Law based on this comment. LOC Consideration Comment 7 – Halting the Eviction Process: 610.7. Eviction for Failure to Pay Rents 610.7-3. Right to Cure. An occupant shall have a right to cure the failure to pay rents after receiving a notice of termination. An occupant is deemed to be complying with the notice if promptly upon receipt of such notice the occupant remedies the default by paying the unpaid rent on or before the specified date in the notice. 610.8. Eviction for Waste or Contract Breach other than Rent Payment 610.8-3. Right to Cure. An occupant shall have a right to cure the waste or breach of contract after receiving a notice of termination. An occupant is deemed to be complying with the notice if promptly upon receipt of such notice the occupant and the owner enter into a written agreement to cure that outlines the reasonable steps for the occupant to take and timelines necessary to remedy the default, and the occupant then complies with the agreement, or if damages are adequate protection for the owner and the occupant makes a bona fide and reasonable offer to pay the owner all damages for the occupant’s breach. 610.10. Contesting the Contract Termination 610.10-1. Contesting the Termination. The occupant may contest a contract termination by filing a complaint challenging the basis of the eviction with the Oneida Trial Court prior to the termination date provided in the notice. (a) If the occupant contests the termination, the eviction is stayed and the contract may not be terminated without proof to the Oneida Trial Court by the owner by the greater preponderance of the credible evidence that the termination of the contract was valid under this law. (b) Despite an owner’s satisfaction of the proof requirements, the Oneida Trial Court may, at its discretion, stay an eviction by honoring any alternative agreement ~ GDODOO A good mind. A good heart. A strong fire. Page 8 of 12 ONEIDA 159 of 283 regarding pending actions entered into by the occupant and a court of competent jurisdiction pending successful completion of the alternative agreement. Barbara Cornelius (oral): K. With elders, we should get ten (10) minutes. I'm just saying, okay, I don't have nothing specific on one of the, in any of the laws, but in general, I think our laws have to be written more compassionately, with more empathy, and we need to quit following how the state and the federal government produces their laws, because their laws are produced with conflict, a natural conflict to them. There's you against me, me against you. And in our law, and as far as I know, traditionally, that wasn't how we wrote the laws. We didn't write laws to pit me against you or you against me. It should be more empathy. We have to have more empathy. And then I think in the...and the Eviction law, you know, they always say, well, once you're in the eviction process, you can't stop it. You can stop it. You know, a lot of places stop it and stuff, and they should be able to stop it and say, you know, I apologize, I do this, and I'm doing this, and I'm doing all these things to help. And then I think in the, maybe in the Eviction law, you can put something in there or develop a policy where they can work it off. We have all these homes that need work to be completed, and some of it is just simple work that you don't have to have, you know, a certificate or anything. There's a lot of just simple work that we, we could give the tenants to pay off those things so you don't think you're giving them a handout. There's so many people that have that word in their vocabulary called entitlement. And none of this is entitlement. These are all benefits from treaties. This is all stemming from the treaties that are provided by to our nation from the federal government. So I think we should do that. Response The commenter expresses concern regarding the ability to stop an eviction once the process is started, and also recommends that an occupant be allowed to provide manual labor to avoid an eviction. The Eviction and Termination law provides multiple opportunities for a potential early contract termination or eviction to be addressed and halted. Although the Law provides that an owner may terminate an occupant’s contract if the occupant fails to pay any rent when due, or commits waste or breaches any covenant or condition of the occupant’s contract, the Law also requires that the owner provides an opportunity for the occupant to cure their issue that lead to the potential eviction. [6 O.C. 610.7-1. 610.7-3. 610.8-1, 610.8-3.]. In regard to an occupant’s failure to pay rent, the Law requires that an owner work with an occupant to rectify a failure to pay rent by providing that an occupant has a right to cure the failure to pay rents after receiving a notice of termination. [6 O.C. 610.7-3]. An occupant is deemed to be complying with the notice if promptly upon receipt of such notice the occupant remedies the default by paying the unpaid rent on or before the specified date in the notice. Id. In regard to an occupant’s waste or breach of contract, the Law requires that an owner work with an occupant to rectify a violation of waste or a breach of contract by providing that an occupant has a right to cure the waste or breach of contract after receiving a notice of termination. [6 O.C. A good mind. A good heart. A strong fire. Page 9 of 12 ~ ONEIDA 160 of 283 610.8-3]. An occupant is deemed to be complying with the notice if promptly upon receipt of such notice the occupant and the owner enter into a written agreement to cure that outlines the reasonable steps for the occupant to take and timelines necessary to remedy the default, and the occupant then complies with the agreement, or if damages are adequate protection for the owner and the occupant makes a bona fide and reasonable offer to pay the owner all damages for the occupant’s breach. Id. In addition to the provided opportunities to cure a default, the Law also addresses contesting a contract termination. The Law provides that an occupant may contest a contract termination for any reason by filing a complaint challenging the basis of the eviction with the Oneida Trial Court prior to the termination date provided in the notice. [6 O.C. 610.10-1]. If the occupant contests the termination, the eviction is stayed and the contract may not be terminated without proof to the Oneida Trial Court by the owner by the greater preponderance of the credible evidence that the termination of the contract was valid under this law. [6 O.C. 610.10-1(a)]. Despite an owner’s satisfaction of the proof requirements, the Oneida Trial Court may, at its discretion, stay an eviction by honoring any alternative agreement regarding pending actions entered into by the occupant and a court of competent jurisdiction pending successful completion of the alternative agreement. [6 O.C. 610.10-1(b)]. If an occupant fails to vacate the premises following notice of termination based on eviction, occupant termination, or expiration and non-renewal of a contract, the owner may file an eviction action with the Oneida Trial Court to remove the occupant from possession or occupancy of the premises. [6 O.C. 610.11-3]. If the Oneida Trial Court finds that the termination and eviction occurred in accordance with this law and the owner is entitled to possession, the Oneida Trial Court is required to immediately enter an order for judgment to the owner for the removal of the occupant and their property from the premises. [6 O.C. 610.11-3(g)]. An occupant is allowed to appeal an eviction action with the Oneida Court of Appeals within fifteen (15) days of the entry of judgment or order. [6 O.C. 610.11-3(i)]. Overall, the Eviction and Termination law provides multiple opportunities for the eviction process to be addressed in a manner that may avoid the eviction of an occupant. Therefore, there is no revision recommended to the Law based on this comment. LOC Consideration Comment 8 – Ease of Evictions: 610.1. Purpose and Policy 610.1-1. Purpose. The purpose of this law is to provide consistent procedures for terminating a contract and/or evicting an occupant which affords the occupant due process and protects all parties involved. ~ GDODOO A good mind. A good heart. A strong fire. Page 10 of 12 ONEIDA 161 of 283 610.1-2. Policy. It is the Nation’s policy to provide fair termination and eviction processes that preserves the peace, harmony, safety, health, general welfare, and the Nation’s resources. Cathy Metoxen (oral): In these terminations of leases and stuff, and I'm trying to get a place to live. And I'm hearing people are being kicked out, you know, on a whim. And I don't know what's true and what's not. Maybe they are pedophiles. Maybe they are drug addicts and alcohol functioning alcoholics. They're everywhere. They they do the job at the top and at the bottom. But how do we protect? The true abuse that you're talking about in these laws, because...I don't. I don't see it. I see, I see division. I see, um let's, you know. Response The commenter mentions individuals being evicted on a whim. For purpose of the Eviction and Termination law is to provide consistent procedures for terminating a contract and/or evicting an occupant which affords the occupant due process and protects all parties involved. [6 O.C. 610.1-1]. It is the Nation’s policy to provide fair termination and eviction processes that preserves the peace, harmony, safety, health, general welfare, and the Nation’s resources. [6 O.C. 610.1-2]. Overall, the Eviction and Termination law sets out to provide protections for both owners and occupants when navigating the eviction and termination process, and goes beyond just attempting to provide a process to get rid of people as provided for by the commenter. Therefore, there is no revision to the Law recommended based on this comment. LOC Consideration Comment 9 – Smoking Policy: Mary Loeffler (oral): Okay. I want to address the Eviction and Termination. I don't have the full, but I do have a comment. Under whatever article it is in the beginning of the policy, where it talks about nuisance activities that are grounds for termination. They list quite a number of examples of nuisance that tenants can report on. Okay. The one that I don't see is the no smoking policy. I have brought that up a couple times that the no smoking policy should really be in place. And I do understand that until it's a law or for the LOC, that is that the reason why it wouldn't be listed as nuisance because smoking in the apartments is a health concern, and...walking up and down the halls is very annoying when all you do is smell cigarette smoke and pot. Okay, so what I'm requesting is...does that language to be included in the Eviction and Termination law, does that go after it becomes and is addressed with the LOC to be put into so that we can put it into the leases? So therefore we can work on enforcement of this no-smoking policy that we have. Um...That’s pretty much all I needed, wanted to address. ~ GDODOO A good mind. A good heart. A strong fire. Page 11 of 12 ONEIDA 162 of 283 Response The commenter brings up a desire to have a “No Smoking” policy in leases or rental agreements, and questions whether this can be addressed in the Eviction and Termination law. The Eviction and Termination law allows an owner to terminate a contract prior to the contract term and evict an occupant if the occupant: violates the terms of the contract, violates any applicable law or rule, and/or commits an applicable nuisance activity. [6 O.C. 610.5-1]. It would be up to the contract – either a rental agreement in accordance with the Landlord Tenant law or a lease agreement in accordance with the Leasing law – to set forth the contract terms, such as whether smoking is allowed in or on the property. The Eviction and Termination law just allows the contract to be termination early and an eviction sought if a violation occurs. Therefore, a prohibition of smoking would be best addressed through specific rental or lease agreements. There is no revision to the Law recommended based on this comment. LOC Consideration A good mind. A good heart. A strong fire. Page 12 of 12 ~ ONEIDA 163 of 283 Oneida Nation Oneida Business Committee Legislative Operating Committee PO Box 365 • Oneida, WI 54155-0365 ~ ONEIDA Oneida-nsn.gov LEGISLATIVE OPERATING COMMITTEE PUBLIC MEETING Eviction and Termination Law Amendments Elder Protection Law Uniform Commercial Code Norbert Hill Center Business Committee Conference Room and Microsoft Teams April 16, 2026 12:15 p.m. Present: Jennifer Webster, Jonas Hill, Grace Elliott, Nancy Barton, Cathy Metoxen, Judy Sprangers, Tina Jorgensen, Jodi Tess, Melinda Danforth, Barbara Cornelius. Mary Loeffler Present on Microsoft Teams: Clorissa Leeman, Alyssa Hudak, Bonnie Pigman, Carolyn Salutz, Carrie Lindsey, Debra Santiago, Diane Wilson, Efren Rivera, Eric Boulanger, Joel Maxam, Mark W. Powless, Melissa Alvarado, Michelle Tipple, Rae Skenandore, Sarah Miller, Shad Webster Jennifer Webster: Good afternoon. The time is 12:18 p.m. and today's date is Thursday, April 16th, 2026. I'll now call to order the public meeting for the following three pieces of proposed legislation: Eviction and Termination law amendments, Elder Protection law, and the Uniform Commercial Code. The Legislative Operating Committee is hosting these public meetings to gather feedback from the community regarding these legislative proposals. The public meeting is not a question and answer period. The LOC will review and consider all comments received during the public comment period. The LOC will respond to all comments received in a memorandum, which will be submitted in the meeting materials for a future LOC meeting. All persons who wish to present oral testimony in person need to register on the sign-in sheet. Individuals who wish to present oral testimony on Microsoft Teams, please raise your hand and you will be called on. If you leave an email address on the sign-in sheet, we can assure that you receive a copy of the public comment review memorandum. Additionally, written comments may be submitted to the Nation's Secretary's Office or to the Legislative Reference Office in person, by U.S. Mail, interoffice mail, email, or fax, as provided in the public meeting notice. These comments must be received by close of business on Thursday, April 23rd, 2026. In attendance from the LOC is Jonas Hill and myself, Jenny Webster. The LOC may impose a time limit for all speakers pursuant to section 109.8-3(c) of the Legislative Procedures Act. As the presiding LOC member, I am imposing a time limit of five (5) minutes per person per topic. This time limit shall be applied equally to all persons. We will now begin today's public meeting for the three legislative items. A good mind. A good heart. A strong fire. LOC Public Meeting Transcript of April 16, 2026 Page 1 of 11 164 of 283 Jonas Hill: We will be accepting comments on the Eviction and Termination law amendments. The purpose of the Eviction and Termination law is to provide consistent procedures for terminating a contract and or evicting an occupant which affords the occupant due process and protects all parties involved. The Eviction and Termination law amendments will:  Add or revise the definition of Comprehensive Housing Division, law enforcement agency, occupant, owner, periodic tenancy, rental value, and stay of eviction.  Revise the delegation of administrative rulemaking authority provided under this Law for the Nation’s residential, agricultural, and business contracts.  Remove the terms “alleged” and “allegations” throughout the Law.  Revise how notice of an early contract termination or eviction is provided to individuals and corporations or partnerships.  Provide that an occupant shall have a right to cure for a failure to pay rent, but is not guaranteed that right to cure for subsequent violations.  Clarify an occupant’s right to cure for… Alright. Clorissa Leeman: Hi, Jenny and Jonas. I'm not sure if you guys can hear me, but I haven't been able to hear anything through Teams. Rae Skenandore: I've been listening everything; I've heard everything so far. Jennifer Webster: Bonnie. Bonnie Pigman: Yeah. Bonnie Pigman, member 5361. I just have a question. I see on line 272. Can you hear me? Jennifer Webster: We can hear you. Bonnie Pigman: Okay, line 272 - 706.6-3, medical examination. The question I have for that section is, Jonas Hill: Oh, Bonnie, I don't want to interrupt. Sorry to interrupt, but we're just trying to figure out the…the technology of this meeting at this moment. And we will get to a point where you can submit your comments. We just have to read through some of the script. Bonnie Pigman: Okay. Jonas Hill: Thank you. Clorissa. Clorissa Leeman: I was just identifying because I wasn't able to hear, but I double checked and it looks like the transcript was capturing. Jonas Hill: So continue? " (JOOQOC) A good mind. A good heart. A strong fire. LOC Public Meeting Transcript of April 16, 2026 Page 2 of 11 ONEIDA 165 of 283 Clorissa Leeman: So as long as the transcript was capturing it, I just want to make sure that we're keeping that we have the record. So you guys may continue. Sorry for interrupting. Jonas Hill: All right, we will resume.  Clarify what types of offenses qualify as a violation of law or rule or nuisance activity.  Revise who is allowed to notice an owner of a violation of law or rule or nuisance activity.  Clarify that an owner is not required to provide an occupant an opportunity to cure for a violation of an applicable law or rule or nuisance act.  Clarify and expand when an individual may contest a contract termination.  Revise how an occupant’s failure to vacate following the notice of eviction or a contract expiration is handled by an owner.  Expand the amount of time allowed for an owner to return a security deposit to an occupant from thirty (30) days to sixty (60) days.  Make other drafting changes and broad organizational changes. Jennifer Webster: So we'll also be accepting comments on the Elder Protection Law. The purpose of the Elder Protection Law is to uphold the nation's responsibility to honor and protect its elders. This law establishes a comprehensive framework to prevent, identify, report, investigate, and respond to elder abuse, abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and financial exploitation and affirms the nation's cultural responsibilities to honor, respect, and preserve elder well-being. The Elder Protection Law will:  Establish a comprehensive framework to prevent, identify, report, investigate, and respond to elder abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and financial exploitation.  Establish an Interdisciplinary Team composed of multiple Nation departments to coordinate case review, guide investigations, recommend actions, promote cooperation, and identify resources.  Establish a duty to report suspected elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The law requires any person with knowledge or reasonable suspicion of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation of an elder to report immediately to Aging & Disability Services or the Oneida Police Department.  Create a broad class of mandated reporters, including family, caretakers, elected officials, employees, healthcare workers, mental health professionals, social workers, law enforcement, judicial staff, and fiduciaries.  Good-faith reporters receive immunity.  Non-mandated reporters may remain anonymous.  Establish civil penalties:  A mandated reporter who fails to report may be fined up to $2,000.  Anyone who knowingly files a false report may be fined up to $2,000.  Anyone who interferes with an investigation or retaliates against a reporter may be fined up to $2,000 per occurrence.  Provide investigation procedures requirements including that they must begin promptly and include required steps such as:  Visiting the elder’s residence;  Observing the elder; " (JOOQOC) A good mind. A good heart. A strong fire. LOC Public Meeting Transcript of April 16, 2026 Page 3 of 11 ONEIDA 166 of 283         Conducting interviews;  Reviewing healthcare and financial records;  Interviewing guardians/caregivers;  Requesting law-enforcement assistance;  Offering or arranging needed services. Authorize emergency protective actions, including protective placement, may be taken when necessary. Authorize medical examination under specified consent conditions or by court order. Protect confidentiality and records. Departmental report forms and investigative records are confidential and may only be disclosed under limited circumstances, such as to the elder, suspect, service providers, law enforcement, auditors, or through a court order. Provide that records must be retained for five years. Affirm elders’ rights to:  Notice of an investigation unless emergency conditions exist.  Refuse services if they have capacity.  Protect their property rights, including the right to deny entry.  Representation by counsel at their own expense. Provide for rights of the accused to refuse service for themselves, refuse entry (subject to warrant), and obtain counsel at their own expense. Grant the Oneida Trial Court jurisdiction over all actions under this law. Personal jurisdiction extends to members of the Nation and Nation employees. We will also be accepting comments on the Uniform Commercial Code. The purpose of the Uniform Commercial Code is to provide a clear, fair structure for commercial transactions to promote economic development, grounded in Good Mind principles, and protection of sovereignty. The Uniform Commercial Code will:  Establish a complete, unified commercial code governing security interests, collateral, and commercial transactions within the Nation, creating legal clarity and predictability for all parties.  Affirm Oneida sovereignty by providing that this law governs conflicting provisions and is adopted under the Nation’s constitutional authority.  Grounds commercial law in Good Mind principles, embedding cultural values directly into the Nation’s economic governance framework.  Define Oneida jurisdictional, jurisdiction over commercial parties through residence, business location, tribal membership, or chartering, strengthening tribal legal authority.  Create clear rules for creating, attaching, and enforcing security interests, essential for lenders and investors to transact with confidence.  Provide multiple perfection methods (filing, possession, control), allowing flexible modern financing arrangements.  Creates priority rules that determine whose claim on collateral prevails in disputes, insolvency, or bankruptcy-like scenarios.  Supports interjurisdictional business activity by recognizing perfection under other jurisdictions and creating transition rules for collateral moving into Oneida jurisdiction. " (JOOQOC) A good mind. A good heart. A strong fire. LOC Public Meeting Transcript of April 16, 2026 Page 4 of 11 ONEIDA 167 of 283            Strengthen consumer rights by restricting waivers, requiring post-default notice, and limiting and limiting repossession practices. Ensure transparency by allowing debtors to request accountings, collateral lists, and surplus/deficiency explanations. Protect against predatory contract terms, invalidating commercially harmful restrictions that block assignment or collateralization. Require commercially reasonably reasonable enforcement, meaning lenders must follow fair industry standards when collecting, selling, or disposing of collateral. Creates rulemaking authority enabling the Nation to issue regulations, procedures, and filing requirements without relying on state systems. Clarifies rights in complex assets such as accounts, chattel paper, investment accounts, fixtures, software, and agricultural products enabling modern finance options. Set structured, lawful processes for repossession, allowing possession only with debtor consent or judicial process, and forbidding breach of the peace. Creates detailed rules for collateral sales, including notice requirements, timing rules, and provide public/private public/private sale standards. Provide remedies for improper conduct by lenders, including damages, statutory penalties, and court orders restraining noncompliant enforcement. Protect innocent purchasers by specifying when buyers take goods free goods free of a security interest and when interests follow the collateral. Ensure continuity and severability, protecting the code from invalidation if one section is challenged. So those who wish to speak, please raise your hand. Please state your name when making a comment and to which laws you're commenting on. Um...The sign in paper. You want to grab the sign in paper? If you want to come to the mic. Those who signed in, Nancy Barton, you're up first. Jonas Hill: Uh, Nancy, do you mind using your mic so we can provide a for the transcript? Nancy Barton: I'll sit down as much as I can. Okay, the first comment that I'll make is regarding Title 6, Property and Land, Chapter 610, formerly known as the Eviction and Termination Law. In the Oneida language, the interpretation means they shoo them away or they vanish them. And so my first comment is, I guess I have, you know, some issues with the interpretation of this law. It looks like you're trying to get rid of people. You know, you want them to go away and you want them to vanish. And how unfortunate. The first comment that I'm going to make is regarding the termination of people's leases when they real when housing Comprehensive Housing realizes that those people are elders and that they received a what they're calling a significant amount of GWA payment and they're including it in their rent. This past week, I had an opportunity to view and witness a letter to an elder. She turned sixty-two (62) years old three and a half (3 ½) years ago. And what they're doing now is calculating her GWA back those three and a half (3 ½) years and increasing her rent. She's on a fixed income. That's why you live in housing. She does not have the financial ability to make up those payments. And so I'm concerned about that. We talked about that many times up here. And why is Comprehensive Housing using that income when they're not supposed to be? The Social Security Office doesn't use it. Many other entities don't use it including the state of Wisconsin when " (JOOQOC) A good mind. A good heart. A strong fire. LOC Public Meeting Transcript of April 16, 2026 Page 5 of 11 ONEIDA 168 of 283 calculating income regarding energy assistance and other public assistance programs. So the reason that I came, one of the reasons that I came here today is to address that issue and how unfortunate that this money was, you know, allocated and was supposed to make our people's lives better, especially our elders and those vulnerable people. And when you use this money as a punishment financially against them, then I guess that's when I have an issue. And so I'm going to ask the LOC once again to come back with that GWA issue. I'm not sure what you want to call it, but there is a GWA law, and it's been on the books for many years, and I haven't seen it move forward. And what it's doing is punishing and penalizing our most vulnerable people. I also want to comment on page four (4) on line 113, where it says a criminal complaint alleging that the code occupant sexually assaulted a child or the occupant, and it gives the Wisconsin state code. And this is a domestic abuse defense to eviction. And so I'm very concerned about that, that that has been included in there that a person who would even commit these crimes would be eligible to move into comprehensive housing. So that was a concern of mine. The other thing that I want to talk about is on page one hundred (100), or I'm sorry, on page six (6), and it's number line 199, 198 and 199. And it's talking about waste and the occupant committing waste. And I've had on several occasions to be able to talk about the waste and the conditions of the homes and the properties on this reservation. And we have a Zoning Department, we have a Shoreline Protection Ordinance that aren't being followed. And those people that are in charge of those entities, I can't give names, but there are departments and there are chains of command, three (3), four (4), sometimes five (5) levels. And when I have attempted to address the issues of mattresses and cars and garbage and batteries on tribal property, I'm not getting anywhere. So why would you include something that cannot be enforced? I've put my complaints in writing. I've gone to these offices. I've made phone calls and I haven't gotten anywhere with anything. So why would you create a entity that says you don't want waste but you have no way to enforce it. So that was one of another one of those. The other thing that I want to talk about is on page nine (9), where on page three hundred and thirty-six (336), where a person can be threatened with eviction. And of course, it's almost ninetynine percent (99%) of the time because of money and the person is given a certain amount of time to make it good and make it right. And I've been involved in many cases, single mothers with children who fall behind because somebody needs glasses, somebody needs tennis shoes, have fallen behind for as little as two and three hundred dollars ($200 and $300) and have been evicted. I have gone to Comprehensive Housing and offered to pay that money. And they said, nope, we're not taking your money. We'll see you in court. When we get to court and the money's on the table, the person was still evicted for three hundred dollars ($300). And so, you know, a landlord in Green Bay would work with you for three hundred dollars ($300) if you were a single mother with three (3) children. And so how unfortunate that we have become what we become, and we punish our people for three hundred ($300). And, you know, there are currently, I posted a picture about the flooding in Three Sisters, and it wasn't until that post was published that anybody was going to do anything about what was going on over there. My question was, does housing have insurance to cover the stuff inside? I know, do I have, you didn't say I had a certain amount of time. All right, so then I guess I'm done with that " (JOOQOC) A good mind. A good heart. A strong fire. LOC Public Meeting Transcript of April 16, 2026 Page 6 of 11 ONEIDA 169 of 283 one and then I want to talk about the Elder law and I need to get. Cathy Metoxen: Question. Do you? I don't have anything on the Elder law. I, I, this is all that was out there. I came, this is... Jennifer Webster: You'll share your Law. Thank you. Okay, Nancy, you have five (5) minutes. Nancy Barton: Okay, I'll address the Elder Protection law and my own personal comment about this is how unfortunate that in this day and age and historically that we have to have a law to protect our elders. And we had this conversation on this floor about the way that we treat each other and the way that our elders are treated at GTC. You know, people will push an elbow and stampede our elders. And that goes to, you know, what happened to us, what happened to the way that we're being taught to treat our elders and how unfortunate. Um, and once again, I'm going to address the issue of the enforcement. Um...included in here because of, you know, my involvement was the financial part of it that I was concerned about. The other part that I wanted included was mandated reporters. We have people who are delivering meals, delivering medicine, doing jobs at elders’ homes that have access to elders where other people don't. And so I'm glad to see that the mandated reporter part has been included in here. I'm concerned about the enforcement and the reporting. I'm glad that there are fines. I'm concerned about if somebody does report that it's considered um I'm not sure what word I want to say. You know, if I report you and then nothing comes out of it, then the person who reported can potentially get a fine. I was concerned about that part of it. The other part that I want to talk about, and this is a little bit of a personal thing, I've had some dental work done. And when I was leaving, there is a notice of privacy practices that is posted on every dental and doctor reception area. And there was a part on here, I had to wait a while for some records and some other things. So I read it. And on here it says abuse and neglect. And this is a notice of privacy practices and it says we may disclose your health information to appropriate authorities if we reasonably believe that you are a possible victim of abuse, neglect, or violence and a possible victim of other crimes. And we may disclose your health information to the extent necessary to avert a serious threat to your health or safety, or the safety of others. So I thought I would bring this and give this to these guys back here. They're the legal people and they know what that means because anytime that you ever receive any kind of dental or medical treatment, you sign a form that says, you know, HIPAA forms, release of information forms, but this includes who can report and who can't. So I'll give that to Grace back here. And, you know, hopefully with a law in the books that we have a way, I guess, to hold people accountable that are abusing our elders. And once again, I'll say how unfortunate that historically, that's where we are today, but at least we have it and it's in writing and somebody can be held accountable. Thank you. Jennifer Webster: Thank you. Um... Next up, Barb, you did not identify whether or not you were going to do oral testimony. You want to do oral testimony, please come to the mic. I'm sorry. You were next. Everybody else identified. No, they did not want to do. Go ahead and you have five (5) minutes. " (JOOQOC) A good mind. A good heart. A strong fire. LOC Public Meeting Transcript of April 16, 2026 Page 7 of 11 ONEIDA 170 of 283 Barbara Cornelieus: OK. With elders, we should get ten (10) minutes. I'm just saying, okay, I don't have nothing specific on one of the, in any of the laws, but in general, I think our laws have to be written more compassionately, with more empathy, and we need to quit following how the state and the federal government produces their laws, because their laws are produced with conflict, a natural conflict to them. There's you against me, me against you. And in our law, and as far as I know, traditionally, that wasn't how we wrote the laws. We didn't write laws to pit me against you or you against me. It should be more empathy. We have to have more empathy. And then I think in the...and the Eviction law, you know, they always say, well, once you're in the eviction process, you can't stop it. You can stop it. You know, a lot of places stop it and stuff, and they should be able to stop it and say, you know, I apologize, I do this, and I'm doing this, and I'm doing all these things to help. And then I think in the, maybe in the Eviction law, you can put something in there or develop a policy where they can work it off. We have all these homes that need work to be completed, and some of it is just simple work that you don't have to have, you know, a certificate or anything. There's a lot of just simple work that we, we could give the tenants to pay off those things so you don't think you're giving them a handout. There's so many people that have that word in their vocabulary called entitlement. And none of this is entitlement. These are all benefits from treaties. This is all stemming from the treaties that are provided by to our nation from the federal government. So I think we should do that. And then under abuse, the Elder abuse law, I just, I think we just need to have softer language. We need to have more empathy and we need to give. There's such a thing as the spirit of the law and the letter of the law. And what the tribe has done, or the Nation has done, is gone so heavily on the letter of the law. This is what the law says, this is what we have to do, this is what we have to enforce. The spirit of the law says, hey, that there's extenuating circumstances, there's things that should be changed. And if you had time, you know, if they apologize and they do the things they need to do, then then do the spirit of the law. And so I think, I don't know how we get our attorneys to be trained in that type of law development, but I think that's what we need to do as a Nation. We need to start um...developing our laws a little more friendly, a little more with empathy and with compassion. So because you are doing it to our own people. So you can't say, no, they say we're all family, we all treat one another, we all do all this stuff. But the laws don't allow you to do that because it's so strict. So, um, governmental or law? I guess that's the only word I could say. It's too much law, and I think we need to, we need to...to soften those laws and all the laws. And my personal belief is we have too many laws. You know, we only have seventeen thousand (17,000) people who are overseen and have to, I mean, we don't oversee those many because we only have jurisdiction on within the reservation boundaries and stuff. So we might have three thousand (3,000). Then there's three thousand (3000), half of those are kids and everything. So we have about one thousand five hundred (1500) people we only have jurisdiction over and we have tons and tons of laws, you know, and so I, that's my general statement is that we need to start softening the language and our laws and we need to use the spirit of the law when we're trying to enforce it. And there is nothing wrong with being soft and being kind to your own people. That's it. Jennifer Webster: Thank you. Cathy Metoxen, you're listed here, but it's not said whether or not " (JOOQOC) A good mi [Text truncated at 120,000 characters. The full text is on the page linked above.] --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Aoneida_nation%3Afee716efd84dc8b4. Public record. Not legal advice.