|
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 big rulings awaited from Supreme Court
6/24/2008, Indianz.com
As the U.S. Supreme Court winds down its current term, Indian Country awaits two big rulings. Plains Commerce Bank v. Long affects tribal court jurisdiction over non-Indians. The case was heard in April and attracted a lot of attention from tribes, states and the banking industry. Exxon v. Baker is a multi-billion case over the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. Alaska Natives are among the 33,000 plaintiffs who are suing the energy giant for damages from the environmental disaster. Rulings could be released as early as tomorrow, or on Thursday. They are among the few remaining cases the Supreme Court has yet to decide.
Big fines proposed for non-Indian bingo machines6/25/2008, San Diego Union Tribune SACRAMENTO - Escalating a political fight over electronic bingo, a state senator aligned with California gaming tribes has proposed stiff new penalties for anyone caught operating bingo machines off an Indian reservation. Legislation quietly introduced late last week by Sen. Jim Battin, R-Palm Desert, would impose mandatory fines of "not less than $10,000 per machine" on anyone caught with electronic bingo devices. In addition, the measure - SB 864 - contains a so-called "bounty hunter provision" that would encourage private parties to bring civil actions against bingo parlors operating machines. | |
Valley seeks funds to cope with casinos
6/25/2008, Desert Sun
Coachella Valley officials won a round Tuesday in their bid to regain $13 million to offset increased traffic, law enforcement and other effects of tribal casinos. Before Tuesday, there was no legislation to provide the money. But because of a Senate committee, communities near casinos now have a shot. Local leaders also met with representatives of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. "They are absolutely interested in helping the localities get the funding," Palm Springs City Manager David Ready said after several valley representatives met with one of the governor's staff members. Others were more cautious.
$30 million freeze on Indian Gaming Special Distribution Fund draws attention6/24/2008, Desert Sun SACRAMENTO - The $30 million freeze on the Indian Gaming Special Distribution Fund has prompted a field trip to Sacramento by a contingent of Riverside County and Coachella Valley leaders. The delegation - including leaders from Cathedral City, Coachella, Indio and Palm Springs - is expected to testify today that Assembly Bill 1389 offered by Majority Floor Leader Alberto Torrico offers positive reform. But it falls short, they plan to say, because it lacks an amendment to reauthorize the inclusion of the $30 million in tribal Special Distribution Fund monies that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed from the 2007-08 budget bill.
Tuesday Congressional Hearing for Measure to Block UIGEA6/24/2008, Pokernews.com A hearing is scheduled today in the US House of Representatives for H.R. 5767, the bill proposed by Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) and Sen. Ron Paul (R-TX) to block implementation of regulations called for under the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). Implementation of the UIGEA has become bogged down due to language termed "unworkable" in the bill as signed, along with strong resistance from America's banking segment, which would be forced to shoulder the burden of an unfunded mandate called for within the bill, and would also be forced to assume some judgmental duties, regarding transactions potentially tagged as being connected with "unlawful Internet gambling".
Drive to boost lottery sales under way 6/24/2008, San Diego Union Tribune SACRAMENTO - The state lottery is switching its advertising pitch on nearly two dozen billboards throughout the state, a modest attempt to boost ticket sales. The governor has argued that the state lottery has underperformed compared with other states. But the sales campaign will have to get much more aggressive if the lottery is going to pay off Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's $15 billion bond plan to help cover a huge state budget deficit.
| |
|
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
Stand Up For California - Library
Stand Up For California - Helpful Links
###
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. Amended 6-18-08
AB 2026 - Assembly Member Levine -
The California Gambling Control in conjunction with the Department of Justice, shall authorize and report its findings to the legislature by June 30, 2009, regarding authorizing interstate Internet Poker. Amended 6-18-008
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.
SCA 25 - Sen. Florez -Will allow the legislature, to adjust annually the percentages for prizes, public education, lottery expenses and problem gambling awareness and treatment programs. Introduced 6-6-08
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.
| |
| |
|
