Lytton Band casino bill said likely to pass in Senate

Thursday, August 18, 2005  

A bill to block the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians from opening a casino in the Bay Area without local and federal approval is likely to pass the Senate, according to The Los Angeles City Beat.

S.113 was introduced by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California). She says California voters did not envision non-reservation casinos when they approved gaming in 2000.

The previously landless tribe acquired 10 acres in San Pablo through an act of Congress. The act exempted the tribe from going through the review process for off-reservation gaming.

S.113 would modify the date of the acquisition to force the tribe to undertake a two-part determination before conducting gaming. The process requires approval by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and concurrence from the state governor.

The bill passed the Senate Indian Affairs Committee on June 30 by a 10-3 vote.

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Sin City (The Los Angeles City Beat 8/18)