Bill on California Tribal Compact Gains Approval from the State Assembly
New Gaming Compacts in California: Senate Bill 931 Takes a Step Forward
California is on the brink of implementing new gaming compacts with several Native American tribes, as Senate Bill 931 moves closer to ratification. The bill, proposed by Senator Bill Dodd, outlines changes to gaming compacts with the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians, the Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria, the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians, and several other tribes.
If signed by the governor and ratified by the Legislature, the new gaming compact from Senate Bill 931 will allow for gaming offerings to be expanded or modified in the territories of the involved tribes. This could potentially lead to a more diverse gaming landscape in California.
The feud between tribes and cardrooms in California has been ongoing, with the former taking issue with the latter's offering of poker, baccarat, and blackjack. The new compact from Senate Bill 931 may help address these concerns, although specific details about its provisions and tribal impacts are not widely available at this time.
Meanwhile, another piece of legislation, SB 549, is also making waves. If signed into law, it would allow California's tribes to sue cardrooms in the state, creating a Tribal Nations Access to Justice Act.
It's important to note that under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, states can sign gaming compacts with Native tribes, allowing the latter to offer certain gaming offerings in their territory. In California, the governor is responsible for negotiating such compacts, which are later ratified by the Legislature.
The approval of Senate Bill 931 by the California Assembly is considered a "win for everyone" by Senator Bill Dodd. However, the specifics of the bill and its impact on various Native American tribes in California are not yet extensively documented online. For a comprehensive understanding, consulting California's legislative information directly or official communications from Senator Bill Dodd’s office would be the next best step.
In the meantime, it's worth noting that California's current law prevents tribes from being sued or filing lawsuits in state courts due to their sovereign status. The approval of SB 549, if it comes to pass, would mark a significant shift in this regard.
As the legislative process continues, it will be interesting to see how these developments unfold and what impact they will have on the gaming landscape in California. Stay tuned for updates.
The new gaming compact from Senate Bill 931 might include modifications for poker, blackjack, and other gaming offerings among several California Native American tribes, potentially changing the state's gaming landscape. Meanwhile, SB 549, another piece of legislation, could enable California's tribes to sue cardrooms, altering the ongoing politics and policy-and-legislation surrounding gaming in the state.
