Stand Up for California! is a statewide organization with a focus on gambling issues including tribal gaming, card clubs, horse racing, charitable gaming and the state lottery.

Two letters raise interesting  policy questions:
 
Governor's Ltr of comment - Ione
Dec. 28, 2006, Andrea Lynn Hoch- Legal Affairs Secretary
The Governor states the Secretary of the Interior does not have the authority to create a new reservation in California. Does that mean all Tribes claiming to be landless need an Act of Congress?

Office of the Solicitor - Dept. of the Interior
August 3, 1998, John D. Leshy - Solicitor: Congress did not want to put restored tribes in a better position than all others. What about Tribes in a two part determination?

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  • Tribe files for arbitration in Amador casino dispute
    3/20/2008, Sacramento Bee
    Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians asserted its right Wednesday to call in an arbitrator to resolve a long-standing dispute with Amador County over a proposed casino near Ione. The county said it would not take part in the arbitration proceedings. It said previously that it would continue its federal lawsuit seeking to block construction of the casino.
  • Tribe's hotel plan sparks objections
    3/20/2008, North County Times
    A conflict may be brewing between the county and a North County American Indian tribe that wants to build a 12-story, $85 million hotel near Valley Center. County officials say they will meet today to discuss their concerns with representatives of the San Pasqual tribe, which plans to build the hotel next to its Valley View Casino.

  • Tribe won't seek casino if Petaluma site gets water
    3/20/2008, ARGUS-COURIER
    The Indian tribe that owns River Rock Casino in Geyserville and a 277-acre property south of Petaluma says it will drop its application for gaming rights on the local site in exchange for water and sewer service there. Without water and sewer hook-ups to the property, the tribe will only delay its application for eight years, under the terms of a wide-ranging agreement reached with the county this week. If such services are provided, "the tribe would not seek to take (the property) into trust for gaming at all," said David Hyams, a spokesman for the Dry Creek Rancheria.

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  • As U.S. border fence rises, a tribe tightens ties
    3/19/2008, Reuters
    CAMPO, California (Reuters) - As U.S. authorities tighten security on the porous Mexico border in this election year, some communities have been caught off guard by government plans to build miles of fencing and barriers. But members of one Native American tribe whose scattered settlements stud the rocky highlands of southern California and northwest Mexico, saw the build-up coming years ago and have turned something they dreaded to their advantage.

  • Public meeting planned for casino expansion
    3/19/2008, The News Messenger
    The United Auburn Indian Community will host a public meeting next week on plans to expand Thunder Valley Casino into a Las Vegas-style resort. A draft environmental impact report for the project will be presented at the meeting, to be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in McBean Park Pavilion, 65 McBean Park Drive, in Lincoln. "It's mostly to solicit public comments," said Doug Elmets, a spokesman for the tribe. "The tribe is required by law to have a public meeting to get comments." The EIR evaluates options for project-related issues, such as water and wastewater services, parking and road improvements, Elmets said.

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    Upcoming Hearing

    Public Scoping Hearing:Off Reservation Proposal - Manzanita Band in the City of Calexico.  March 27,  BOS Chambers Imperical County, 940 W. Main St., El Centro. 6pm to 9pm. Or mail comments to Amy Dutschke, acting Regional Director, Pacific Regional Office, BIA, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA. 92825

    Upcoming Conference

    North American Regulators Association June 10-13, 2008   www.nagra.org  Register on Line.

    LINKS and Legislation

    News Letter Archive
     

    Stand Up For California - Library

    Stand Up For California - Helpful Links

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    State Legislation to Watch

    AJR 39 -  Assembly Member Huffman

    Reaffirmation of the Winneman Wintu.

    AB 1314 -Assembly Member Strikland

    BINGOAn Act to amend section 326.5 of the California Penal Code.

    AB 1328 - Assembly Member Cedillo

     Internet BINGO

    AB 1924 - Assembly Member Jeffries

    Changes the amount of charitable BINGO  funds that may be used for overhead and other operational expenses.

    AB 2026 - Assembly Member  Levine -

    The California Gambling Control in conjunction with the Department of Justice, shall perform a study and report its findings to the legislature by June 30, 2009, regarding authorizing interstate Internet Poker.

    SB 331 -Sen.  Romero - Imposes a state mandated local program to address tresspassers on tribal lands

    SB 996 Sen. Florez - This bill would require each tribal state gaming compact entered into between the State of California and a federally recognized Indian Tribe to be ratified by the Legislature in Separate Statute. 

     SB 1201 - Sen. Battin Increases the aggregate limit of gaming devices licenses available for issuance under the 1999 compacts to 122,000 slot machines without tribal state compact renegotiations.
    SB - 1570 - Sen. Vincent - Requires the Governor to use best efforts to enusre that satellite wagering on horese racing is one of the forms of gaming offered at any gambling facility authorized under a compact.  
    SB 1626 - Sen. Steinberg - Regulates the game of BINGO
    SB 1679 - Sen. Florez - Lottery Reform Bill:  requires that not less than 87% of revenues be used for prizes and to benefit education, 13% for lottery expenses. Total revenue to education will be decided by the Commission but not less than 1,200,000,000. Requires 1 million to be committed to the Office of Problem and Pathological gambling. Defines, expands and loosens restrictions of lottery game themes.

    SB 1695 - Sen. Florez - This bill limits the locations of tribal casinos.  Does it limit the political power of local elected?

    SCA 20 -Sen.  Vincent - Constitutional Amendment authorizes Roulette and Craps on California Indian lands for compact tribes.

     

    Federal Legislation to Watch 

    Last sessions legislation rumored to have legs.

    H. R. 3709To authorize inter-tribal transfers of authority in leases between the Ewiiaapaayp Band of Kumeyaay and the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay, and for other purposes. (Introduced in House October 1, 2007)

    S. 1347 - Sentaor Feinstein: A bill to amend the Omnibus Indian Advancement Act to modify the

    date as of which certain tribal land of the Lytton Rancheria of California is deemed to be held in trust and to provide for the conduct of certain activities on the land.  Passed the Senate 11-6-07 and sent to the House.

    Rule Making

    http://thomas.loc.gov/

    Guidance on taking off reservation land into trust for gaming purposes
    Jan 3, 2008,     Carl Artman, Asst. Secretary of the Interior, BIA

     
    Proposed Rule - Secretarily Approval of Compacts within 45 Days
    Feb. 11, 2008, Asst. Secretary - Carl Artman - Dept. of the Inter