[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 44 (Friday, April 7, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E556]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          INTRODUCTION OF BILL TO AMEND THE INDIAN GAMING ACT

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                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 6, 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.

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