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.   Visit www.standupca.org

LAWSUITS RISE OVER INDIAN SOVEREIGNTY Economic Boom And Commerce Fuels Tribal Clout By Jason W. Armstrong Daily Journal Staff Writer April 8, 2009
BLYTHE - For nearly 30 years, Brandon Johnson's family has operated the Water Wheel Resort, a modest retreat in this bucolic stretch of the Colorado River banked by craggy, cactus covered hills. They leased the land from local Indian tribes at $2,600 a year and the relationship was for the most part amicable.  That is, until the tribes upped the annual rent to $101,500.      

 Water Wheel Camp Recreational Area v Hon. Gary Larance, CRIT :  Seeks declaration that no tribal jurisdiction exists over Water Wheel or Robert Jonson and declares Tribal Court has no jurisdiction over Water Wheel or Robert Johnson in the Tribal Court Action or any subsequent action arising from a dispute under the Water Wheel's Lease.

 LEGAL ALERT: Impacts of the Carcieri Decision April 2009 www.swlaw.com Snell and Wilmer The most immediate impact of the Carcieri land into trust decision is its effect on tribal gaming activity.  Becasue trust status for Indian lands is usually a precursor for gaining the necessary approvals under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.  Tribes that are no longer able to use the IRA land acquisition mechanism likely will need new, special legislation to conduct gaming acitivites on any newly acquired non reservtion lands.

 Tribal law and order bill renewed in Senate - April 6, 2009 Indianz.Com A bipartisan group of lawmakers last week introduced a comprehensive bill aimed at improving law enforcement in Indian Country. According to federal government statistics, American Indians and Alaska Natives suffer from the highest crime rates in the nation. Native women, in particular, are more likely to be raped or sexually assaulted than any other racial or ethnic group. 

 

 
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HEARINGS:
April 1st: Full Committee Oversight Hearing of House Resources Committee

Legislation

State Legislation:
ACR32:  Miller - A mearsure to reaffirm state recogntion of the sovereign status of federally recognized Indian tribes as separate and independent governmental and political communitis.
HR 9: Price - Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the week of March 1 to March 7, 2009, inclusive, be recognized as National Problem Gambling Awareness Week and the agencies and organizations described above be commended for their concerted effort to raise public awareness of problem gambling; and be it further  
SB 126: Cedillo - Legislation is also needed to clarify that existing law requires that all charitable bingo must be played using a tangible card and that the only permissible electronic devices to be used by charitable bingo players are card-minding devices.  
AB 293: Mendoza - (not sure of the intent of this bill)So far, addresses definitions etc.  This is a wait and see.
SB 170: Florez - Williamson Act Contracts: Cancellation -OPPOSE-Set for Hearing April 1, 2009
SB  357: Ducheny -Proposes to extend the sunset date of the Indian Gaming Special Distribution Fund (SDF) Grant Program, for grants to local jurisdictions to mitigate the impacts of tribal casinos, until January 1, 2020. Only 21 tribes pay into this fund - all have 1999 tribal state compacts. 1999 Compacts have failed the state both financially and socially. 
SB 827 (G.O. Committee).  Code maintenance bill that repeals and renumbers sections of the Government Code related to tribal gaming into one stand-alone Title in the Government Code.  
 SB 829 (G.O. Committee).  Clarifies and updates the definition of "key employee" in the Gambling Control Act.  Provides the Executive Director and Members of the California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) with the authority to administer oaths of office to new Commission members and other specified employees of CGCC.
 SB 830 (G.O. Committee). Clarifies the policy purpose of Horse Racing Law, reflecting the changes made to the law pursuant to the enactment of SB 16xx (Chapter 12, Statutes of 2009-10 Second Extraordinary Session).  Specifically, the bill strikes the stated intent of law to allow parimutuel wagering on horse races to provide support for the network of California fairs.
 SB 831 (G.O. Committee) California State Lottery:  multistate lottery.  Reinstates a provision of law intended to bring the California Lottery Act into compliance with a Superior Court writ that required the Lottery Commission to align the prize redemption period in state law with the redemption period authorized by agreement for Mega Millions.  This change would only be necessary if the voters approve Proposition 1C in May 2009.
 
Federal Legislation:
S. 338 US Senator Feinstein:  Requires a two-part determination for the expansion of the gaming facility or scope of gaming at Casino San Pablo operated by the Lytton Band.  Provides greater scrunity by the public and local government. Restores the management of the size and scope of gaming to the State of California.PLEASE SEND A LETTER OF SUPPORT.
 
 
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 Compulsive Gambling Institute www.gamblingaddiction.cc   1-800-GAMBLER 24 Hour Problem Gambling Help Line - Tom Tucker, Chief Executive Officer