An Assembly committee publicly reviewed a package of tribal-state compact ratification measures Tuesday and heard support from tribal and county representatives, but took no vote at the informational hearing.
At the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee hearing, the chair reminded attendees that “no formal vote will be taken today” because the Legislature cannot amend the compacts, only review them and ultimately ratify them. The hearing referenced four measures tied to the compact package: AB 1579, AB 2173, SB 542 and SB 1235.
Speakers said the proposed changes respond in part to the Ninth Circuit’s decision in Chicken Ranch Rancheria v. California. One speaker said the amendments were largely updates to align the compacts with recent legal changes. Another said the package includes a commitment not to sue over key revenue terms in the compact, including the special distribution fund, the revenue sharing trust fund and the tribal nation grant fund.
Shannon Lewis, who identified herself as vice chairman of the Fort Mojabi Indian Tribe, said tribal gaming revenue supports cultural preservation, health care, environmental protection, water infrastructure, senior services, youth programs, scholarships and energy projects. She also said the tribe has partnered with Fresno State University to document its language and create a dictionary, and that the language is now taught at a local public school.
Lewis said she attended with two council members and legal advisers and told the committee she looked forward to legislative ratification of the First Amendment to the tribe’s compact with the state.
A San Bernardino County representative also spoke in support of a tribal-state compact amendment involving the San Manuel Nation.
The hearing record available so far ends before any committee questions, amendments or follow-up action.
