Mooretown Rancheria supports off-reservation gaming bill

Monday, May 16, 2011  

The Mooretown Rancheria of Maidu Indians in California supports S.771, the Tribal Gaming Eligibility Act.

The bill will stop "reservation shopping," according to the tribe. "We have a unique perspective on this issue because out-of-state investors have come to our area seeking to move tribes from their aboriginal and historic areas in an effort to develop casino projects in areas closer to population centers," Chairman Gary Archuleta said in a letter toSen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California), The Yuba City/Marysville Appeal-Democrat reported.

Feinstein introduced the bill last month. It amends Section 20 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act by requiring tribes to demonstrate a "substantial modern connection" and a "substantial aboriginal or ancestral connection" to newly acquired lands.

If the bill becomes law, it will apply to pending land-into-trust applications for which a "final agency decision" hasn't been issued.

Get the Story:
Feinstein deals tribe's plan a bad hand (The Yuba City/Marysville Appeal-Democrat 5/13)

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Sen. Feinstein: Defending bill for off-reservation gaming (4/25)
Sen. Feinstein introduces measure to bar new tribal casinos (4/11)