For purposes of this agreement, the following definitions pertain:
A. AGREEMENT
AREA — The area designated as such in Appendix A. The Agreement Area is negotiated exclusively for purposes
of this agreement. Neither party makes any admissions, representations
or concessions whatsoever regarding the extent of "Indian country"
and either the Tribe's or state's jurisdiction, and this
negotiated Agreement Area can serve absolutely no precedential purpose
in any administrative or judicial proceeding not directly related
to the administration or enforcement of this agreement.
B. DEPARTMENT — The
Michigan Department of Treasury.
C. GOVERNMENTAL FUNCTION — Those activities or functions by the Tribe identified in §
10.1-3A(1)(b) of this agreement.
D. INDIAN
COUNTRY — Those lands considered "Indian country"
under federal law.
E. NONTRIBAL
MEMBER — An individual who is not an enrolled member
of the Tribe.
F. RESIDENT
TRIBAL MEMBER — A tribal member whose principal place
of residence is located within the Agreement Area.
G. STATE — The
State of Michigan.
H. TAXABLE
SALE — A sale that is not exempt under state law as
modified by this agreement.
I. TAX YEAR
or TAXABLE YEAR or TAX PERIOD — The calendar year,
or the fiscal year ending during such calendar year, upon the basis
of which a tax subject to this agreement is computed.
J. TRIBE — Nottawaseppi
Huron Band of Potawatomi, a sovereign, federally recognized tribe
that is a signatory to this agreement. The term "Tribe" shall include
entities wholly owned by the Tribe.
K. TRIBAL
AND TRUST LANDS —
[Amended 1-19-2008 by Res. No. 01-19-08-04]
(1) (K-1)
All lands held in trust by the federal government for the benefit
of the Tribe, which are listed on Appendix A (K-1) and designated as tribal and trust lands at the
time this agreement is executed.
(2) (K-2)
All fee lands owned by the Tribe which are listed on Appendix A and
designated as tribal and trust lands at the time this agreement is
executed.
(3) (K-3)
All tribal lands acquired after execution of this agreement within
an area identified for automatic tribal and trust land status on Appendix
A, so long as they are used for a governmental function.
(4) (K-4)
All tribal lands accepted into federal trust after execution of this
agreement which are located within the area identified in Appendix
A, regardless of the use of such tribal lands.
(5) (K-5)
All other lands acquired after execution of this agreement by the
Tribe that are mutually agreed upon in writing by the parties to this
agreement and identified in Appendix A.
(6) All
lands listed on Appendix A (K-2) that have been subsequently taken
into trust by the federal government for the benefit of the Tribe,
which do not meet the criteria of Appendix A (K-4).
L. TRIBAL
CHAIRPERSON — The duly elected President of the Executive
Council of the Tribe.
M. TRIBAL
ENTITY — An entity, other than a single resident tribal
member or an entity wholly owned by the Tribe, that is wholly owned
by any combination of the Tribe and its resident tribal members or
is wholly owned by its resident tribal members.
N. TRIBAL
MEMBER — An individual who is an enrolled member of
the Tribe.
[Amended 12-15-2012 by Res. No. 12-15-12-11]
A. Part 1 [person, other than a corporation as defined under Part 1
Section 51(8)(A) of Act No. 38 of the Public Acts of 2011].
(1) Nonbusiness income. Resident tribal members are exempt from state
income tax on all nonbusiness income, including but not limited to:
(a)
All income derived from wages are exempt whether the wages are
earned within the Agreement Area or outside of the Agreement Area;
(b)
All interest and passive dividends are exempt;
(c)
All rents and royalties derived from real property located within
the Agreement Area are exempt;
(d)
All rents and royalties derived from tangible personal property,
to the extent the personal property is utilized within the Agreement
Area, are exempt;
(e)
Capital gains from the sale or exchange of real property located
within the Agreement Area are exempt;
(f)
Capital gains from the sale or exchange of tangible personal
property which is located within the Agreement Area at the time of
sale are exempt;
(g)
Capital gains from the sale or exchange of intangible personal
property are exempt;
(h)
All pension income and benefits, including, but not limited
to, 401(k) IRA, defined contribution plan, and defined benefit plan
payments are exempt;
(i)
All per capita payments by the Tribe to resident tribal members
are exempt without regard to the source of payment; and
(j)
All gaming winnings are exempt.
(2) Business income. Resident tribal members are exempt from the state
income tax on business income as follows:
(a)
Business income shall be apportioned in the manner provided
in the State Income Tax Act and, with the exception of transportation services, shall
be by application of the sales factors. In arriving at the portion
to be taxed, the numerators provided in that section shall include
sales in the state and shall exclude sales which are outside of the
state or within the tribal and trust lands. The denominator shall
consist of all sales everywhere. Business income includes income derived
from a flow-through entity. Transportation services shall be based
on revenue miles as described under Section 132 of Act No. 38 of the
public acts of 2011, except that revenue miles in Michigan shall exclude those
within tribal and trust lands.
(3) Treaty fishing. All income derived from treaty fishing is exempt
from the state income tax to the extent excluded from federal income.
(4) Spouses. Spouses who are not resident tribal members are subject
to the state income tax.
B. Part 2 (corporations)
(1) For purposes of application of the tax enacted under Part 2 of Act
No. 38 of the Public Acts of 2011 (Corporate Income Tax or CIT) only,
the following definitions shall apply:
TRIBAL ENTITY (CIT)
An entity other than a single tribe (CIT) acting alone or
single resident tribal member (CIT) acting alone, that is wholly comprised
of any combination of the Tribe (CIT) and resident tribal members
(CIT) or is wholly owned by resident tribal members (CIT).
TRIBE (CIT)
Any tribe that has entered into a tax agreement with the
state that is substantially similar to this agreement.
(2) The corporate income tax (CIT) exemptions provided by this agreement
will be applied without regard to the law under which an entity is
organized. Publicly traded entities shall be subject to the CIT without
regard to Tribe (CIT) or tribal member (CIT) ownership and without
regard to the expanded tribal agreement area.
(3) Entities taxable under the CIT in which the ownership interests are
entirely comprised of one or more tribes (CIT), tribal members (CIT)
or tribal entities (CIT) that engage in business activity within the
state will apportion their tax base by application of the statutory
sales factor to determine the portion of the tax base attributable,
if any, to the state but outside the expanded tribal agreement area.
The portion of the tax base attributable to the expanded tribal agreement
area will be exempt from the CIT.
(4) Entities taxable under the CIT which are not wholly owned by any
combination of tribes (CIT), tribal members (CIT) or tribal entities
(CIT) will apportion their tax base by application of the statutory
sales factor to determine the portion of the tax base attributable
to the state and to the expanded tribal agreement area. The portion
of the tax base attributable to the expanded tribal agreement area
which is equal to the percentage of ownership interests held in combination
of tribes (CIT), tribal members (CIT) or tribal entities (CIT) will
be exempt. The portion of the tax base attributable to nontribes (CIT),
nontribal members (CIT) or nontribal entities (CIT) is subject to
the CIT for activity within the state both within and outside of the
expanded tribal agreement area. In calculating the state sales factor
of the apportionment formula, the numerator shall only exclude sales
that are destined to:
(b)
Resident tribal members (CIT); and
(c)
Sales shipped to destinations outside of the state.
C. Withholding and reporting.
(1) Tribal, tribal member and tribal entity employers located within the Agreement Area will withhold and remit to the state income tax described under Subsection
A of this section from all employees who are not resident tribal members.
(2) Where the Tribe, tribal members and tribal entities disburse pension
or annuity payments for those who are not resident tribal members,
they will withhold on the taxable part of the payments as described
under Section 703(1) of Act No. 38 of the public acts of 2011.
(3) Flow-through entities, wholly or partially owned by the Tribe, tribal
members or tribal entities, will withhold a tax on the distributive
share of taxable income of each nonresident member of the flow-through
entity who is an individual as described under Section 703(3) of Act
No. 38 of the Public Acts of 2011.
(4) Flow-through entities, wholly or partially owned by the Tribe, tribal
members, or tribal entities, with more than $200,000 of allocated
or apportioned business income will withhold on the distributive share
of the business income of each member as described under Section 703(4)
and (5) of Act No. 38 of the Public Acts of 2011.
(5) Eligible production companies, wholly or partially owned by the Tribe,
tribal members or tribal entities, shall withhold as described under
Section 703(9) of Act No. 38 of the Public Acts of 2011.
(6) The Tribe will report to the state gaming winnings in the same manner
as reported to the federal government.
(7) The Tribe's casino operators and/or entertainment facility operators
will report gross receipts and contact information regarding each
professional performer in a manner consistent with reporting practices
required by the state for nontribal casino operators and/or entertainment
facilities.
The Tribe and the state agree that all tobacco products sold
within the Agreement Area shall be subject to the provisions of the
Tobacco Products Tax Act, except as provided in this agreement.
A. The Tribe may purchase a quantity of tax-exempt tobacco products.
The exempt purchases of cigarettes and other tobacco products shall
be administered by either the quota method or the refund method set
forth in this agreement.
B. Implementation; refund method.
(1) All tobacco products for resale shall be purchased in accordance
with state law from any state-licensed wholesaler and shall be tax
prepaid. Taxable sales of such tobacco products shall include the
tax in the retail price.
(2) The Tribe shall determine which retailers within the Agreement Area
will be entitled to seek refunds on exempt sales.
(3) The total amount of refunds obtainable by the Tribe or its designated
retailers shall be limited by a ceiling determined jointly by the
Tribe and the state in the same manner as a quota described in the
quota option set forth below. The entitlement shall be prospective
and shall be reviewed periodically. There shall be no retroactive
reconciliation.
(4) All refunds shall be issued within forty-five (45) days of the receipt
of the claim for refund, after which interest shall accrue at the
statutory rate.
C. Implementation; quota method.
(1) The Tribe may purchase an annual quota of tobacco products without
the imposition of the state tobacco products tax. The entitlement
shall be prospective and shall be reviewed periodically. There shall
be no retroactive reconciliation.
(2) The Tribe shall acquire its tax-free quota of tobacco products from
a single pre-identified state-licensed wholesaler.
(3) All tobacco products acquired for resale in excess of the quota shall
be purchased in accordance with state law from any state-licensed
wholesaler with state tobacco products tax prepaid. All retail sales
of such tobacco products shall include the tax in the retail price.
(4) The Tribe shall determine which retailers within the Agreement Area
will receive tax-free quota tobacco products.
(5) All tobacco products purchased by the Tribe shall bear the state
tribal stamp.
D. The Tribe shall ensure that tribal member and tribal entity retailers
only purchase tobacco products bearing the state tribal stamp and
only purchase from state-licensed wholesalers. The Tribe shall also
ensure that tribal member and tribal entity retailers prepay all taxes
on tobacco product purchases, except for quota exempt purchases authorized
by the Tribe.
E. All sales of tobacco products by the Tribe, tribal members or tribal
entities to nontribal members shall be with all taxes paid and included
in the price.
F. The Tribe, tribal members and tribal entities shall not act as wholesalers,
secondary wholesalers or unclassified acquirers of tobacco products
unless licensed by the state.
[Added 1-19-2008 by Res. No. 01-19-08-04]
A. For purposes of application of the Michigan business tax section
only, the following definitions shall apply:
TRIBAL ENTITY (MBT)
An entity other than a single tribe (MBT) acting alone or
single resident tribal member (MBT) acting alone, that is wholly comprised
of any combination of the tribe (MBT) and resident tribal members
(MBT), or is wholly owned by resident tribal members (MBT).
TRIBE (MBT)
Any tribe that has entered into a tax agreement with the
state that is substantially similar to this agreement.
B. The Michigan Business Tax Act (MBTA) exemptions provided by this
agreement will be applied without regard to the law under which an
entity is organized. Publicly traded entities shall be subject to
the MBTA without regard to tribe (MBT) or tribal member (MBT) ownership
and without regard to the expanded tribal agreement area.
C. Entities in which the ownership interests are entirely comprised
of one or more tribes (MBT), tribal members (MBT) or tribal entities
(MBT) that engage in business activity within the state will apportion
their tax base by application of the statutory sales factor to determine
the portion of the tax base attributable, if any, to the state but
outside the expanded tribal agreement area. The portion of the tax
base attributable to the expanded tribal agreement area will be exempt
from the MBTA.
D. Entities which are not wholly owned by any combination of tribes
(MBT), tribal members (MBT) or tribal entities (MBT) will apportion
their tax base by application of the statutory sales factor to determine
the portion of the tax base attributable to the state and to the expanded
tribal agreement area. The portion of the tax base attributable to
the expanded tribal agreement area, which is equal to the percentage
of ownership interests held in combination of tribes (MBT), tribal
members (MBT) or tribal entities (MBT), will be exempt. The portion
of the tax base attributable to nontribes (MBT), nontribal members
(MBT) or nontribal entities (MBT) is subject to the MBTA for activity
within the state both within and outside of the expanded tribal agreement
area. In calculating the state sales factor of the apportionment formula,
the numerator shall only exclude sales that are destined to:
(2) Resident tribal members (MBT); and
(3) Sales shipped to destinations outside of the state.
E. To the extent a tax base or portion of a tax base is attributable
to the state under this agreement and a tax is due, a credit against
the tax may be claimed to the extent the business is conducted in
an area designated as a Renaissance Zone under state law (see MCLA
§ 125.2681 et seq.). The credit shall be determined in accordance
with state law using the payroll and property factors. The denominator
of the respective factors is calculated in accordance with state law,
except that payroll and property within the expanded tribal agreement
area must be excluded. The numerators of the respective factors will
be the property located within a designated Renaissance Zone, excluding
property within the expanded tribal agreement area, and the payroll
for services performed in a designated Renaissance Zone, excluding
payroll within the expanded tribal agreement area. The credit is otherwise
allowed in accordance with state law.
[Amended 1-19-2008 by Res. No. 01-19-08-04; 12-15-2012 by Res. No. 12-15-12-11]
A. Income tax.
(1)
Part 1 - Individual (§
10.1-4A). All resident tribal members shall file a state individual income tax return if they owe a Michigan individual income tax, are due a refund, or their federal adjusted gross income exceeds their exemption allowance. See MCLA § 206.30(2) and (3). In addition, a resident tribal member shall file a return in all instances where a federal return is required in order to eliminate unnecessary correspondence with the Department. A taxpayer who is entitled to exemption based on this agreement shall complete a schedule in accordance with its instructions whereat the subtractions will be taken. These subtractions shall then be carried over to the MI-1040.
(2)
Part 2 - Corporate (§
10.1-4B). A taxpayer claiming entitlement to exemptions provided in this agreement shall prepare and file the Michigan corporate income tax (CIT) annual return Form 4891. A taxpayer claiming CIT exemption under this agreement shall complete a separate schedule, which will guide the taxpayer through the special apportionment calculations to arrive at the nonexempt sales numbers, which will then be carried over to Form 4891 for use in completing the return.
B. Withholding. Withholding is to be done in accordance with regulations/instructions
applicable to all persons required to withhold.
C. Single business tax. A taxpayer claiming entitlement to exemptions
provided in this agreement shall prepare and file the SBT annual return
form C-8000. The C-8000 shall have a box on its face indicating that
the taxpayer is claiming exemptions under this agreement. A taxpayer
who checks that box will be directed to complete a separate schedule,
which will guide the taxpayer through the special apportionment calculations
to arrive at the nonexempt property, payroll and sales numbers, which
will then be carried over to the C-8000H for use in completing the
return.
D. Michigan business tax. A taxpayer claiming entitlement to exemptions
provided in this agreement shall prepare and file the MBT annual return
Form 4567. A taxpayer claiming MBT exemption under this agreement
shall complete a separate schedule, which will guide the taxpayer
through the special apportionment calculations to arrive at the nonexempt
sales numbers, which will then be carried over to Form 4567 for use
in completing the return.
The Tribe shall utilize either a quota system or a refund system
to acquire motor fuel for exempt tribal and tribal member use as determined
by the quota or refund ceiling. The election to use a refund or quota
system shall be effective for an entire calendar year. The Tribe may
change from one system to the other upon at least sixty (60) days'
written notice to the state. The change shall be effective on the
first day of the next calendar year.
A. Quota system.
(1)
The quota amount shall be determined by negotiation and will
be reviewed and may be adjusted by mutual consent of the parties,
on request of either party but not more frequently than semiannually
(in May and November) during the first two (2) years of this agreement.
Thereafter, the quota amount will be reviewed at the request of either
party and may be adjusted by mutual consent of the parties, but not
more frequently than annually. A separate quota shall be established
for gasoline and diesel. The quota will be calculated on a twelve-month
basis. In any given month, the total amount of tax-free quota motor
fuel delivered to the Tribe and those authorized by the Tribe to store
or sell tax-free motor fuel shall not exceed 15% of the total quota
amount calculated on a twelve-month basis.
(2)
The Tribe shall purchase all of its tax-free quota motor fuel
from a single wholesaler licensed by the state. The Tribe shall notify
the state in writing of the wholesaler it will use, prior to making
any purchase of tax-free quota motor fuel. The state shall contact
the wholesaler and authorize the quantity of tax-free quota motor
fuel to be sold to the Tribe. The designated wholesaler may be changed
by written notice to the state, providing the name of the new wholesaler
and providing at least fourteen (14) days' advance notice of the date
that the change will be effective. The notice from the Tribe to the
state shall also state the total number of gallons purchased from
the old wholesaler and the number of gallons remaining to be purchased
under the quota. The state shall then advise the new supplier that
it is authorized to make sales of tax-free quota motor fuel to the
Tribe and the amount remaining under the quota.
(3)
The Tribe shall determine which retailers within the Agreement
Area will be authorized to purchase and sell tax-free motor fuel and
the quantities that each retailer may acquire. The Tribe shall establish
a system whereby the Tribe shall preapprove, and clearly designate
all purchases of tax-free fuel prior to submission to the wholesaler.
In addition to maintaining the books and records required by state
law, all authorized retailers (including the Tribe itself) shall maintain
a log of their purchases of tax-free quota motor fuel, showing the
delivery date and the type (gasoline or diesel) and quantity of fuel
purchased.
(4)
The Tribe shall maintain a record of its use of tax-free motor
fuel acquired under the quota. This record shall indicate the vehicle(s)
in which motor fuel is used, the number of gallons used by each vehicle
(or each category of vehicles), and a general description of the use
of the vehicles.
B. Refund system.
(1)
A refund ceiling shall be negotiated and will be reviewed and
may be adjusted by mutual consent of the parties, upon written request
of either party but not more frequently than semiannually (in May
and November) during the first two (2) years of this agreement. Thereafter,
the refund ceiling amount will be reviewed at the request of either
party and may be adjusted by mutual consent of the parties, but not
more frequently than annually. Separate refund ceilings shall be established
for both gasoline and diesel for which a refund will be sought. The
refund ceilings shall be calculated on a twelve-month basis.
(2)
The Tribe shall determine which retailers located within the
Agreement Area will be entitled to seek a refund for sales of motor
fuel. The Tribe shall be responsible for devising a means for dividing
the refund ceiling(s) among the retailers authorized by the Tribe
to receive refunds and the Tribe itself. The retailers authorized
by the Tribe to receive refunds shall submit their claims to the Tribe,
which will compile them as a single request to be filed with the state
on a monthly or quarterly basis. The state will then issue a single
refund check to the Tribe. The state will not make additional refunds
for the period covered under the refund ceiling once the refund ceiling
amount has been reached.
(3)
In addition to maintaining the books and records required by
state law, all authorized retailers (including the Tribe itself) shall
maintain a log of their sales of tax-free motor fuel, showing the
date, the purchaser's name, the purchaser's tribal identification
number, the purchaser's signature, and the amount and type (gasoline
or diesel) of fuel purchased. The purchaser's signature shall
not be required if a swipe-card system, acceptable to both the Tribe
and the state, is utilized.
(4)
Upon receipt of a refund request from the Tribe, the state shall
verify that the refund ceiling has not been exceeded and then process
the request. Interest will be paid at the statutory rate if the refund
is not paid within forty-five (45) days of receipt by the Department.
(5)
The Tribe shall maintain a record of its use of tax-free motor
fuel acquired under the refund ceiling. This record shall indicate
the vehicle(s) in which motor fuel is used, the number of gallons
used by each vehicle (or each category of vehicles), and a general
description of the use of the vehicles.
The Tribe shall utilize either a quota system or a refund system
to acquire tobacco products for tribal and tribal member use as determined
by the quota or refund ceiling. The election to use a refund or quota
system shall be effective for an entire calendar year. The Tribe may
change from one system to the other upon at least sixty (60) days'
written notice to the state. The change shall be effective on the
first day of the next calendar year.
A. Quota system.
(1)
The quota amount shall be determined by negotiation and will
be reviewed and may be adjusted by mutual consent of the parties on
request of either party, but not more frequently than semiannually
(in May and November) during the first two (2) years of this agreement.
Thereafter, the quota amount will be reviewed at the request of either
party and may be adjusted by mutual consent of the parties, but not
more frequently than annually. A separate quota shall be established
for cigarettes and other tobacco products. The quota shall be calculated
on a twelve-month basis. In any given month, the total amount of tax-free
quota tobacco products delivered to the Tribe and those authorized
by the Tribe to store or sell tax-free tobacco products shall not
exceed 15% of the total quota amount calculated on a twelve-month
basis.
(2)
The Tribe shall purchase all of its tax-free quota tobacco products
from a single wholesaler licensed by the state. The Tribe shall notify
the state in writing of the wholesaler it will use, prior to making
any purchase of tax-free quota tobacco products. The state shall contact
the wholesaler and authorize the quantity of tax-free quota tobacco
products to be sold to the Tribe. The designated wholesaler may be
changed by written notice to the state, providing the name of the
new wholesaler and providing at least fourteen (14) days' advance
notice of the date that the change will be effective. The notice from
the Tribe to the state shall also state the total number of cigarette
sticks and quantity of other tobacco products purchased from the old
wholesaler and the number of cigarette sticks and quantity of other
tobacco products remaining to be purchased under the quota. The state
shall then advise the new supplier that it is authorized to make sales
of tax-free quota tobacco products to the Tribe and the amount remaining
under the quota.
(3)
All cigarettes sold to retailers authorized to sell tax-free
cigarettes shall bear the state tribal stamp.
(4)
The Tribe shall determine which retailers within the Agreement
Area will be authorized to purchase and sell tax-free tobacco products
and the quantities that each retailer may acquire. The Tribe shall
establish a system whereby the Tribe shall preapprove and clearly
designate all purchases of tax-free product prior to submission to
the wholesaler. In addition to maintaining the books and records required
by state law, all authorized retailers (including the Tribe itself)
shall maintain a log of their purchases of tax-free quota tobacco
products, showing the date, type (cigarettes, cigar, chew, etc.),
quantity and brand.
B. Refund system.
(1)
A refund ceiling shall be negotiated and will be reviewed and
may be adjusted by mutual consent of the parties upon written request
of either party, but not more frequently than semiannually (in May
and November) during the first two (2) years of this agreement. Thereafter,
the refund ceiling amount will be reviewed at the request of either
party and may be adjusted by mutual consent of the parties, but not
more frequently than annually. A separate refund ceiling shall be
established for cigarettes and other tobacco products for which a
refund will be sought. The refund ceiling shall be calculated on a
twelve-month basis.
(2)
The Tribe shall determine which retailers located within the
Agreement Area will be entitled to seek a refund for sales of tobacco
products. The Tribe shall be responsible for devising a means for
dividing the refund ceiling(s) among the retailers authorized by the
Tribe to receive refunds and the Tribe itself. The retailers authorized
by the Tribe to receive refunds shall submit their claims to the Tribe,
which will compile them as a single request to be filed with the state
on a monthly or quarterly basis. The state will then issue a single
refund check to the Tribe. The state will not make additional refunds
for the period covered under the refund ceiling(s) once the refund
ceiling(s) amount has been reached.
(3)
In addition to maintaining the books and records required by
state law, all authorized retailers (including the Tribe itself) shall
maintain a log of their sales of tax-free tobacco products, showing
the date, type, quantity and brand of product sold with the name,
tribal identification number, and signature of the purchaser. The
purchaser's signature shall not be required if a swipe-card system,
acceptable to both the Tribe and the state, is utilized.
(4)
Upon receipt of a refund request from the Tribe, the state shall
verify that the refund ceiling has not been exceeded and then process
the request. Interest will be paid at the statutory rate if the refund
is not paid within forty-five (45) days of receipt by the Department.
This agreement shall be for an indefinite term and shall remain
in force and effect until terminated as provided in this section.
A. Termination without cause. The Tribe or the state, acting through its Treasurer or his or her designee, may terminate this agreement by giving written notice to the other party of its intention to terminate. The notice shall state a termination date, which shall not be sooner than ninety (90) days from the date of the notice and, except as provided in Subsection
B, shall not take effect sooner than two (2) years from the effective date of this agreement. The notice of intent to terminate shall indicate at least three proposed dates for a meeting to take place within thirty (30) days commencing with the date of the notice to discuss the reasons for the termination. If the Tribe is the party giving the notice, the meeting shall be at a location designated by the state. If the state is the party giving the notice, the meeting shall be at a location designated by the Tribe. Within five (5) business days of receipt of the notice, the party receiving the notice shall notify the party seeking termination as to which date is acceptable for the meeting and the precise location at which it is to be held.
B. Termination for cause.
(1)
Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection
A, the following violations of this agreement shall constitute sufficient cause for termination of this agreement at any time:
(a)
Possession or sale by the Tribe, or any entity in which the
Tribe has any ownership interest, of cigarettes or other tobacco products
which do not bear the appropriate state stamp;
(b)
Sale by the Tribe, or any entity in which the Tribe has any
ownership interest, of cigarettes or other tobacco products to nontribal
members where all taxes are not fully included in the price;
(c)
Possession or sale by the Tribe, or any entity in which the
Tribe has any ownership interest, of motor fuel not acquired or possessed
as provided in this agreement;
(d)
Failure of the Tribe to seek licenses or registration as required
under this agreement within ten (10) business days following notice
and request to do so;
(e)
Failure of a party to maintain necessary books and records,
to comply with a request for review of books and records, or to permit
inspections as provided in this agreement;
(f)
Failure of the Tribe to promptly commence or authorize enforcement
action requested by the state as provided by this agreement;
(g)
Failure of the Tribal Court to render a decision on an enforcement
action under § 10.1-14C(4)(b)[1] within the time frame specified
in this agreement;
(h)
Interference by a party with enforcement actions authorized
by this agreement, or failure of a party to follow procedures for
enforcement actions authorized by this agreement; and
(i)
Failure of a party to pay amounts determined to be due under
this agreement within forty-five (45) days of such obligation becoming
final.
(2)
In the event that a party determines that one or more of the events listed in §
10.1-16B(1) has occurred, that party shall request a meeting to be held within five (5) business days of the notice for the purpose of discussing the matter. If the Tribe is the party requesting the meeting, it shall be at a location designated by the state. If the state is the party requesting the meeting, it shall be at a location designated by the Tribe. The request for the meeting shall provide a statement as to the nature of the alleged violation. At the meeting, the parties shall discuss the incident(s) giving rise to the meeting.
(a)
Following the meeting, the party requesting the meeting may:
[1]
Terminate this agreement by giving notice of termination for
cause;
[2]
Defer determination as to whether to seek termination for cause
for a period of time pending such further investigation or consultation
as the party requesting the meeting shall determine appropriate; or
(b)
The party requesting the meeting shall notify the alleged offending
party of its determination.
(3)
In cases where a notice of termination for cause is based on a violation of §
10.1-16B(1)(a), (b), (c), (f), (g), (h) or (i), the party requesting the meeting may terminate this agreement immediately following the meeting, subject to retroactive reinstatement in the event the arbitrator or panel determines that the violation did not occur. All other alleged violations shall, if confirmed by the arbitrator or panel, result in termination as of the date of the arbitration determination. Pending such determination, this agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
(4)
The party alleged to have violated this agreement may, within
five (5) business days of any notice of termination, seek review of
that action in accordance with the following process:
(a)
The party seeking to invoke the process shall, within five (5)
business days of the notice of termination, send a notice of intent
to contest the termination to the other party and shall name one or
more arbitrators who have agreed to act to resolve the dispute. The
notice shall also indicate which arbitrator the party giving notice
would use if none of those listed are acceptable to the other party
if acting alone. The party receiving notice shall, within five (5)
business days of receipt, indicate which arbitrator, if any, named
by the party giving notice is acceptable to act alone. If none of
the arbitrators acting alone are acceptable to the party receiving
notice, then that party shall name a single arbitrator who has agreed
to serve on a panel to consist of that person, the arbitrator named
by the party giving notice, and a third arbitrator named by the other
two arbitrators. The two named arbitrators shall act within ten (10)
business days of the naming of the second to name a third arbitrator.
(b)
Within fourteen (14) business days of the arbitrator being named
or upon the establishment of a panel, the arbitrator or panel shall
establish a timetable to resolve the matter, which shall not exceed
forty-five (45) days from the date the arbitrator is named or the
panel established. The timetable shall provide for discovery, submission
of written argument and other materials and, if requested by either
party, for oral presentation including presentation of witnesses.
Following submission of the materials and argument, the arbitrator
or panel shall make a single factual finding of whether the act alleged
to give rise to a termination for cause has occurred. The determination
of the arbitrator or the panel shall be final and binding on the parties.
(c)
Each party shall bear its own costs incurred in the dispute
resolution. The costs and fees charged by an arbitrator or arbitration
panel shall be borne equally by the parties.
(d)
In order to serve as an arbitrator under this agreement for
purposes of determining if there is a violation sufficient to justify
a termination for cause, candidates must be admitted to practice law
in the court of highest jurisdiction in any state of the United States
or the District of Columbia and shall be a member in good standing
of the bar of admission.
(e)
Except as otherwise provided in this §
10.1-16 or mutually agreed by the parties, the arbitration shall proceed in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Commercial Rules of Arbitration of the American Arbitration Association, provided that the arbitration itself shall not be administered by or proceed before the American Arbitration Association.
(5)
If the alleged offending party does not seek review of the termination
within five (5) business days of the notice, the termination shall
be effective as of the date of the notice.
C. Final accounting following termination.
(1)
The state and the Tribe agree to pay amounts owed one to the other under the provisions of this agreement, accrued through the termination date. Within ten (10) business days following the termination date, a final accounting shall commence to determine the liabilities of the Tribe and the state, one to the other. The state and the Tribe agree to cooperate in the exchange of information sufficient to determine their respective liabilities. If the parties cannot agree on the amount owed, then either party may by written notice to the other advise of its intent to submit the dispute to arbitration as provided in this §
10.1-16C.
(2)
The notice of arbitration shall name one or more arbitrators
who have agreed to act to resolve the dispute. The notice shall also
indicate which arbitrator the party giving notice would use if none
of those listed are acceptable to the other party if acting alone.
The party receiving notice shall, within ten (10) business days of
receipt, indicate which arbitrator, if any, named by the party giving
notice is acceptable to act alone. If none of the arbitrators named
are acceptable to the party receiving notice, then that party shall
name a single arbitrator who has agreed to act to serve on a panel
to consist of that person, the arbitrator named by the party giving
notice, and a third arbitrator named by the other two arbitrators.
The two named arbitrators shall act within ten (10) business days
of the naming of the second to name a third arbitrator.
(3)
Within five (5) business days of the naming of the arbitrator
or the establishment of the arbitration panel, the parties shall submit
to the arbitrator or panel a list of the issues that are being submitted
for resolution. Following these submissions, the parties shall have
seven (7) business days to comment on the issues proposed for submission.
Within fourteen (14) business days of being named the arbitrator or
the establishment of the arbitration panel, the arbitrator or the
panel shall establish a timetable to resolve the matter, which shall
not exceed ninety (90) days. The timetable shall provide for discovery,
submission of written argument and other materials and, if requested
by either party, for oral presentation including presentation of witnesses.
Following submission of the materials and argument, the arbitrator
or panel shall, consistent with this agreement, determine and award
taxes due or refunds owed, as the circumstances warrant. The award
of the arbitrator or panel shall set forth the factual findings, legal
conclusions, and conclusions as to the interpretation of the terms
of this agreement on which it is based. The monetary award of the
arbitrator or panel shall be dated and shall be final and binding
and shall survive termination of this agreement.
(4)
Each party shall bear its own costs incurred in the dispute
resolution. The costs and fees charged by an arbitrator or arbitration
panel shall be borne equally by the parties.
(5)
In order to serve as an arbitrator under this agreement for
the purpose of making a final accounting following termination, candidates
must be admitted to practice law in the court of highest jurisdiction
in any state of the United States or the District of Columbia, shall
be a member in good standing of the bar of admission, and shall have
experience in taxation or federal Indian law.
(6)
Except as otherwise provided in this §
10.1-16C or mutually agreed by the parties, the arbitration shall proceed in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Commercial Rules of Arbitration of the American Arbitration Association, provided that the arbitration itself shall not be administered by or proceed before the American Arbitration Association.
Nothing in this agreement shall be construed to create any rights in third parties who are not parties to this agreement, or constitute a basis for any third-party challenge or appeal, except as provided in §
10.1-15C(2) with respect to other tribes not parties to this agreement who intervene in dispute resolution under this agreement.
The terms of this agreement may be amended, to the extent permitted
by law, only upon a mutual, written agreement executed by an authorized
representative of each party.