Mediation OK'd in split by tribe on membership7/17/2008, San Diego Union Tribune VALLEY CENTER - A dispute over membership in the San Pasqual Indian band is threatening its government and its operation of the Valley View Casino, which has created hundreds of jobs and earned millions in revenues. The disagreement has split the tribe into two camps, which the Bureau of Indian Affairs is working to reconcile. The sides met yesterday with James Fletcher, the BIA's Southern California superintendent, and agreed to mediation, he said. Without a resolution, Fletcher said he's at a crossroads.
R.P. casino advisory measure unlikely7/17/2008, The Argus Courier The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors apparently is not interested in rekindling a discussion about putting an advisory measure regarding the proposed Rohnert Park casino on the Nov. 4 ballot, but a local attorney hopes that the board will reconsider its position. "I have polled my colleagues, and three of them are not interested in putting the matter on our agenda," said Supervisor Mike Kerns, adding that Supervisor Mike Reilly is the only supervisor who might support such a discussion.
IRS ruling on tax-exempt bonds being challenged7/17/2008, The Bond Buyer The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians of California is fighting the Internal Revenue Service over tax-exempt bonds. The IRS has been going after tribes for using bonds to finance projects such as hotels and golf courses. The agency claims the facilities don't qualify for a governmental tax exemption. The Agua Caliente Band used $22.5 million in bonds to finance the Canyon South Golf Course in Palm Springs. The IRS issued a "proposed adverse determination" against the project last September, The Bond Buyer reported. Congress has considered bills to ensure that tribes can issue tax-exempt bonds but none have become law.
Tortoises push casino grand opening back7/16/2008, The Desert Trail TWENTYNINE PALMS - Discovery of tortoises on the 160-acre site of the Casino and RV Resort has likely pushed back the opening of that casino 30 to 60 days. That is the word from Rod Wilson, spokesman for the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians, which has proposed building the casino and RV park on reservation land south and east of the intersection of Adobe Road and Baseline Road. Discovery of the endangered species, Wilson said, required the tribe to add to its already extensive environmental as-sessment for the project.
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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
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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. 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.
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