The National Indian Gaming Association said on Wednesday it opposes H.R.4893, a bill that would restrict off-reservation casinos.

NIGA issued a statement [PDF] after the bill was approved 27-9 by the House Resources Committee. It said the measure would unfairly deny some tribes the ability to open casinos away from existing reservations while allowing others to go forward.

NIGA opposes a provision that requires tribes to negotiate agreements with local governments to offset the impacts of new casinos. It is also a very bad precedent to require tribes to negotiate with local governments since locals are state subdivisions, not sovereigns," the statement said.

H.R.4893, now known as the Restricting Indian Gaming to Homelands of Tribes (RIGHT) Act, is sponsored by Rep. Richard Pombo (R-California), the chairman of the House committee. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-West Virginia), the top Democrat on the panel, added his name to the bill yesterday.

The full text of the substitute can be found at http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/issues/naia/Pombo_Rahall_ANS_HR_4893.pdf An explanation of the bill is at http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/issues/naia/Pombo_Rahall_ANS_explanation.pdf.

Get the Story:
House Panel Tries to Limit Tribal Gambling (AP 7/26)
pwpwd
Bill to block casinos advances (Copley News Service 7/27)
Congress considers limits on tribal casinos (Booth Newspapers 7/27)
Warms Springs views House action as victory for gorge casino (AP 7/27)
pwpwd
A setback for Barstow? (The San Bernardino County Sun 7/27)