McCain hopes to advance off-reservation casino bill

Thursday, April 28, 2005  

Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) is seeking approval of a bill that would force a California tribe to obtain state and federal approval for an off-reservation casino in the Bay Area.

McCain, the chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, told the Associated Press he will attempt to schedule a committee vote on the bill. But he added, "I'd just as soon move it forward and let the full Senate decide on an issue such as this."

S.113. is sponsored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) and is supported by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.. It would require the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians to go through the two-part determination process before opening an off-reservation casino.

The process requires the BIA to consult with local governments and other tribes before acquiring off-reservation land in trust. The state governor then has the power to veto or concur with the decision.

Only three tribes in the nation have successfully navigated this lengthy, time-consuming and costly process. Other tribes have opened off-reservation casinos under exceptions to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act for gaming on lands acquired after 1988.

The land-into-trust process and other gaming issues were considered at a hearing McCain held yesterday. McCain said he would seek legislative changes to beef up regulation of the $18.5 billion tribal casino industry.

The House Resources Committee also held a hearing on gaming yesterday, focusing on off-reservation casino proposals across state lines. The panel heard from tribes seeking land in other states for gaming and from critics of the growing trend.

Get the Story:
Casino bill may go to full Senate (AP 4/28)
Indian gambling oversight scrutinized (The Denver Post 4/28)
Congress considers gaming issues (The Oklahoman 4/28)
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McCain seeks more tribal gaming rules (AP 4/28)