“Act” or “statute” means a permanent rule or law passed by the Tribal Council and having the full force and effect of law.

“Amendment” means a change to a code or act. An amendment will have the full force and effect of a duly elected law.

“Code” means the Wilton Rancheria Code and shall consist of all acts and amendments passed by the Tribal Council and having the full force and effect of law.

“Confirmation hearing” means a hearing conducted by the Tribal Council for the purpose of considering the nomination of a candidate for director of a department by the Chairperson.

“Constitution” means the Constitution of Wilton Rancheria, adopted on November 11, 2011, as last amended and restated December 8, 2012.

“Emergency meetings” means a meeting that is necessary for the preservation or protection of the immediate health, peace, safety, or property of the Tribe.

“Ex officio member” means a member of the Tribal Council who serves in a nonvoting capacity on a governmental board, committee, or commission pursuant to a duly passed resolution of the Tribal Council.

“Executive session” means the portion of a Tribal Council meeting where all persons will be excluded from the meeting, except the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson, members of the Tribal Council, and any person whose presence is requested by the Tribal Council.

“Final review phase” means the third of the three (3) steps within the legislation process required for a proposed act or amendment to become a law. The final review phase shall be that period of time during which final draft legislation is available for members of the Tribal Council to review and comment prior to submission to the Tribal Council for a vote.

“Formal written presentation” means action by the Vice-Spokesperson or another member of the Tribal Council to transmit decisions of the Tribal Council to the Chairperson. Formal written presentation of a decision of the Tribal Council shall be accomplished through (1) personal delivery of the decision to the Chairperson or (2) delivery of the decision to the personal tribal office of the Chairperson and electronic delivery of the decision to the Chairperson, including any applicable documents.

“Internal review phase” means the first of three (3) required steps within the legislation process for a proposed act or amendment to become a law. The internal review phase begins when a member of the Tribal Council brings a motion to initiate the legislation process.

“Legislation” means a proposal made to create a new act or amendment presented to the Tribal Council by a member of the Tribal Council or by the Chairperson.

“Motion” means the formal mode in which a member of the Tribal Council submits a proposed measure or resolution for consideration and action.

“Normal legislation process” means the process by which legislation is considered and reviewed by the Tribal Council. The legislation process will include the internal review phase, the public review phase, and the final review phase.

“Office of the Chairperson” means those departments, committees, and boards under the authority of the Chairperson and includes, pursuant to the authority of the Constitution of Wilton Rancheria, the Departments of Treasury, Administration, Business, Housing, Health, Social Services, Education, Personnel, and any other departments deemed necessary by the Tribal Council. Departments, committees, and boards within the Office of the Chairperson may be disestablished or abolished by the Tribal Council.

“Proposal” means a letter, memorandum, or other document submitted to the Tribal Council that outlines the need for a particular law. The proposal may also be provided verbally to the Tribal Council.

“Public” means the enrolled members of the Tribe.

“Public hearing” means a meeting held by the Tribal Council to solicit comments from the public on legislation.

“Public review phase” means the thirty (30) day time period that legislation is available for review and comment by the public and any other interested Wilton Rancheria governmental entity.

“Quorum” means the number of members of the Tribal Council required to be present to conduct business. Pursuant to Article VI, Section 3 of the Constitution, the number of members to constitute a quorum will be a majority of members of the Tribal Council.

“Regular meetings” means any meeting of the Tribal Council that is held on a regular schedule as required by Article VI, Section 9 of the Constitution.

“Resolution” means a formal written expression of decision by the Tribal Council.

“Special meetings” means a meeting of the Tribal Council that is not a regular meeting, including, but not limited to, any meeting that must be called because of an emergency. Pursuant to Article VI, Section 9, the Tribal Council may hold special meetings as necessary.

“Spokesperson” means the member of the Tribal Council selected by the Tribal Council to serve in that capacity with the duties outlined in Section 1-201.

“Sponsor” means the member of Tribal Council who introduces a motion to the Tribal Council for the purpose of beginning the internal review phase, unless the sponsors for legislation are named in the motion.

“Vice-Spokesperson” means the member of the Tribal Council selected by the Tribal Council to serve in that capacity with the duties outlined in Section 1-202.

“Written notice” or “written request” means the physical or electronic transmittal of information. For purposes of this chapter, electronic correspondence shall be considered written. (Res. 2023-04; Res. 2018-68; Res. 2015-23; Res. 2014-36; Res. 2012-20)