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Introduction of Bill to Amend the Indian Gaming Act

By: Jim Costa
By: Jim Costa
Date: April 7, 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Indigenous Peoples


INTRODUCTION OF BILL TO AMEND THE INDIAN GAMING ACT -- (Extensions of Remarks - April 07, 2006)

* Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce this proposed legislation to require States to implement commonsense planning policy as it relates to the Class III Indian gaming within State borders.

* Too often, Indian tribes are at the mercy of the shifting political winds of State government. Negotiating a Tribal-State compact for the right to engage in Class III gaming on their tribal lands is a process complicated by elections, changing attitudes towards the tribe, as well as an understanding that tribal gaming can be a lucrative business for the State. This process is frequently understood as ``let's make a deal'' time.

* This proposed legislation directs the Secretary of the Interior to withhold approval of a Tribal-State compact until the State first develops a long-term plan to administer Class III gaming within its State boundaries. It employs a process to incorporate opinion by both the local communities and tribes, and represents a process often recognized by State and Federal Government as necessary but missing from the present application process for Class III gaming. This legislation will not prevent tribes from engaging in the application process or affect already approved Tribal-State compacts.

http://thomas.loc.gov/

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