The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians is asking the California Supreme Court to overturn a ruling subjecting the tribe to the state's campaign finance laws.

The tribe lost a 2-1 decision at an appeals court. The judges said the tribe has to comply with the reporting requirements imposed by the state's Fair Political Practices Commission.

The tribe says it complies with the spirit of the law and publishes reports of its campaign spending online. The tribe raised a sovereign immunity defense to the lawsuit.

Get the Story:
Agua Caliente Indians seek review by court (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 4/29)
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Get the Decision:
Agua Caliente Band v. FPPC (March 3, 2004)

Relevant Links:
Fair Political Practices Commission - http://www.fppc.ca.gov

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