California's Senate Governmental Organization Committee voted 9-1 on Tuesday on a bill that restricts compact negotiations.
SB1695
was introduced by Sen.
Dean Florez, a Democrat. He is apparently targeting the casino sought by the
North Fork Rancheria of
Mono Indians because the gaming site is 40 miles from the reservation.
As originally written, the bill would bar the state from approving compacts for a tribe that seeks a casino outside of the area "where the tribe has historically maintained its reservation." But Florez changed it to limit
approval to land that is already held in trust.
Tribes would therefore have to wait until they clear the land-into-trust process before they negotiate a gaming compact with the state.
Get the Story:Florez gaming bill passes panel (The Fresno Bee 4/16)
pwlat
Capital Notes: No Federal Approval, No Casino? (KQED 4/15)