19.4.1.040 Findings

The Council hereby finds and declares that:

(a) From time to time, the Pueblo receives discretionary funds from various sources including proceeds from lawsuits, settlements, leases, rights-of-way, investment proceeds, and other sources;

(b) In the past, the Pueblo has authorized and distributed discretionary funds it has received to all members of the Pueblo;

(c) The Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the Pueblo to authorize the distribution of discretionary funds to all members of the Pueblo when such funds become available and no other overriding need exists for the use of such funds.

(d) In 2017, the Council enacted the original Tribal Member Distribution Act to provide for an annual distribution of funds to all Members of the Tribe from discretionary funds received from various sources; and

(e) since 2017, the Pueblo has authorized and distributed discretionary funds directly to all members of the Pueblo typically at the beginning of each year; and

(f) the Council has determined that it is the best interest of the Pueblo to authorize and direct an immediate distribution of discretionary funds to all members of the Pueblo to address the immediate economic hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

(g) Due to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the Members of the Pueblo to authorize and direct a one-time distribution to begin in June 2021 to members of the Pueblo with a financial incentive to encourage all Members of the Pueblo to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination.