Lawmakers pass Tohono O'odham Nation off-reservation casino bill

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

The Arizona House voted 39-21 to pass HB 2534, a bill that seeks to stop the the Tohono O'odham Nation from opening an off-reservation casino.

The vote broke down largely along party lines. All Republicans except one voted for the bill while all Democrats voted against it.

The bill allows the city of Glendale to annex the tribe's land without the tribe's consent. Lawmakers believe annexation will prevent the Bureau of Indian Affairs from placing the land into trust.

"The Tohono O'odham Nation will do everything that is necessary to protect our rights and the rights of all landowners, including Arizona's tribes," Chairman Ned Norris Jr. said, The Arizona Republic reported.

The bill is being considered in the Arizona Senate.

Get the Story:
Arizona House of Representatives OKs bill to stop casino in Glendale (The Arizona Republic 1/26)
Lawmakers approve bill to let Glendale annex Tohono O'odham land (Capitol Media Services 1/25)