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.

Turf War

Dept. of Interior letter to NIGC on authority over land determination

Department of the Interior -Solicitor  Indian Lands opinions are by definition legal opinions that analyze whether lands are eligible for gaming.  Indian lands opinions include issues such as whether lands meet the definition of Indian lands; whether a tribe is exercising jurisdiciton and governmental authority over those lands; whether gaming is authorized under 25 U.S.C. 2719; and a legal analysis of 25 CFR Part 292.  "Resolution of these questions has not been delegated to the NIGC."
 
Casino Expansion- Environmental Issues
 

 Yolo County Supervisors Comment on Rumsey Band of Wintun 
Yolo County Board of Supervisors  In the following discussion, the County provides detailed comments described by resource topic for consideration by the Tribe in preparation of the Final TEIR.

OFF RESERVATION GAMING DEBATE:

Letter to Sec. of Interior Kempthorne - OPPOSE OFF RESERVATION CASINOS May 9, 2008,  United States Senators Feinstein and Reid

  "We continue to be concerned with the insufficient oversight of existing casinos, and believe these should be addressed before new casinos are established."
  • Riverside County sheriff's officials identify officers in shooting case6/17/2008, The Press-Enterprise
    Departments are not required to follow the opinion, and the Sheriff's Department is still reviewing its policy on naming officers. Camacho was arrested booked at the on suspicion of attempted murder, four counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, an ex-felon in possession of a firearm and three counts of child endangerment. He is being held without bail.

  • Foes plan to voice Salinas cardroom concerns6/17/2008, Monterey Herald
    It's round two for a proposed cardroom in Oldtown Salinas, and neighbors unhappy with the plan are expected to show their discontent tonight at the Salinas City Council meeting. "There's a large number of people from the faith community who are not happy with this direction for the city," said businessman Dick Renard. Today, the council is scheduled to consider further modifications to existing laws regarding cardrooms. Last month, city officials tentatively approved new gambling regulations for its sole cardroom permit, including an increase from seven to nine tables at a $1,500 fee a year each, no wagering limits and backline betting. These changes were approved at the behest of Sal Jimenez Jr., who is proposing to open the Bankers Casino and Restaurant on Monterey Street.

  • Gas prices to put pinch on business?6/17/2008, The Union Democrat
    He suspects other gaming tribes throughout the state are also facing difficulties due to high gas prices. "Most Indian gaming properties are located in rural areas," he said. "You do have to get in the vehicle and drive to get to most Indian gaming properties." Central Valley residents also make up a big part of the customer base of Sierra Repertory Theatre, which puts on 380 shows a year in Columbia and East Sonora. Business is also down for the theater company by about 10 percent, and Sara Jones, founder and managing director of the company, thinks it's because of gas prices.

     Tribe, city working to formulate municipal services agreement6/17/2008, Desert Star
    NEEDLES - City council has directed city manager William Way and city attorney Robert Hargreaves to negotiate a municipal services agreement with the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe on behalf of the city of Needles, as part of the tribe's requirements to get approval for a new casino located on I-40 near Needles. Hargreaves spoke to council on June 10 and described steps the tribe must take to get approval from the state for a proposed casino. The first hurdle, a resolution voicing continued support for the project, was approved on April 22. The tribe now has to get the support of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors and the Governor of California to proceed.


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    HEARING NOTICE:  Law enforcement on Reservations
    Thursday June 19, 2008, 9:30 AM


    Comments Due
    Comments Due: Off Reservation  228.04 acre trust acquisition and construction of casino project to be located within the City of Plymouth in Amador County, California.Mail comments to Amy Dutschke, acting Regional Director, Pacific Regional Office, BIA, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA. 92825. Written comments will be accepted through July 2, 2008,
     

    Upcoming Conference

     
    INDIAN COUNTRY'S WINNING HAND, October 16-17, 2008, Radisson Fort McDowell Resort & Casino Scottsdale/Fountian Hills, Arizona. Register online: www.law.asu.edu/ilp
     
     

    LINKS and Legislation

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    State Legislation to Watch

    AJR 39 -  Assembly Member Huffman

    Reaffirmation of the Winneman Wintu.  

    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 62 - Sen. Florez - Permits the transfer of funds from the General Fund to the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund for eligible recipient tribes should there be insufficient funds in the Special Distribution Fund.

    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 1328 - Sen.  Cedillo - deletes the $250 limitation on bingo game payouts, thereby allows for an award of any denomination.
    SB - 1570 - Sen. Vincent - Requires the Governor to use best efforts to ensure 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 -Game of Bingo to be played by machine with electronic cards.  Slot machines?                                                                                                SB 1679 - Sen. Florez - Lottery Reform Bill:  requiresthat 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 - Prohibits the Governor from negotiating or concluding a gaming compact with a tribe that does not have land held in trust on which the gaming is to occur and that is not federally recognized. Bill passes the Senate.
    SCA 20 -Sen.  Vincent - Constitutional Amendment authorizes Roulette and Craps on California Indian lands for compact tribes.

     

    Federal Legislation to Watch 

    H. R. 2963 - Congressman Issa Transfers without regulatory environmental process 1,178 ac. in Riverside and San Diego Counties to the Pechanga Band.  Why?
    H.R. 3490 - Congressman Radanovich
    Declares that specificed federal lands are to be held in trust by the US for the benefit of the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuik Indians  for non gaming purposes.
    H.R. 5608 Congressman Rahall - mandates that adminstration directly consults with tribes on policies that directly affect their lives.
    H. R. 5680 Congressman Grijalva - A bill to extend leases for Morongo and transfer money to CRIT.
    S. 2676 - Senator Vitter - Common Sense Indian Gambling Reform Act of 2008. To make technical corrections to IGRA. Consultation with local government.