[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 135 (Tuesday, July 15, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37926-37930]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18504]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Indian Affairs


Resighini Rancheria Liquor Licensing Ordinance

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice is published in accordance with authority 
delegated by the Secretary of the Interior to the Assistant Secretary--
Indian Affairs by 209 DM 8, and in accordance with the Act of August 
15, 1953, 67 Stat. 586, 18 U.S.C. 1161, as interpreted by the Supreme 
Court in Rice v. Rehner, 463 U.S. 713 (1983). I certify that the 
Resighini Rancheria Liquor Licensing Ordinance was duly adopted by 
Resolution 96-09 of the Coast Indian Community of the Resighini 
Rancheria of California on December 11, 1996. The ordinance provides 
for the control of distribution, sale and possession of liquor on lands 
within the Tribe's jurisdiction.

DATES: This ordinance is effective as of July 15, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jerry Cordova, Office of Tribal 
Services, 1849 C Street, NW., MS 4641 MIB, Washington, DC 20240-4001; 
telephone (202) 208-4401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Resighini Rancheria Liquor Licensing 
Ordinance shall read as follows:

[[Page 37927]]

RESIGHINI RANCHERIA LIQUOR LICENSING ORDINANCE

Chapter 1. General Provisions

    Section 1.1. Declaration of Findings. The Business Council of the 
Coast Indian Community of the Resighini Rancheria hereby finds as 
follows:
    1. Under the Constitution of the Tribe, Article V, Section 3(h), 
the Business Council is charged with the duty of protecting the safety 
and welfare of the Coast Indian Community of the Resighini Rancheria.
    2. The introduction, possession and sale of alcoholic beverages on 
the Resighini Rancheria is a matter of special concern to the Tribe.
    3. Federal law leaves to tribes the decision regarding when and to 
what extent alcoholic beverage transactions shall be permitted on 
Indian reservations.
    4. Present day circumstances make a complete ban on alcoholic 
beverages within the Resighini Rancheria ineffective and unrealistic. 
At the same time, a need still exists for strict Tribal regulation and 
control over alcoholic beverage distribution.
    5. The enactment of an ordinance governing alcoholic beverage sales 
on the Resighini Rancheria and providing for the purchase and sale of 
alcoholic beverages through Tribally licensed outlets will increase the 
ability of the Tribal government to control the distribution, sale, and 
possession of liquor on the Resighini Rancheria, and at the same time 
will provide an important and urgently needed source of revenue for the 
continued operation of the Tribal government and delivery of Tribal 
governmental services.
    Section 1.2. Declaration of policy. Under the inherent sovereignty 
of the Tribe, the Resighini Rancheria Liquor Licensing Ordinance shall 
be deemed an exercise of the Tribe's power, for the protection of the 
welfare, health, peace, morals, and safety of the people of the Tribe, 
and all its provisions shall be liberally construed for the 
accomplishment of that purpose, and it is declared to be public policy 
that the sale and possession of alcoholic beverages affects the public 
interest of the people, and should be regulated to the extent of 
prohibiting all sale and possession of alcoholic beverages, except as 
provided in this Ordinance. In order to provide for Tribal control over 
liquor sales and possession within the Reservation, and to provide a 
source of revenue for the continued operation of the Tribal government 
and the delivery of Tribal governmental services, the Business Council 
promulgates this Ordinance.
    Section 1.3. Repeal of prior liquor ordinances. To the extent not 
previously repealed either expressly or by implication, any prior 
Liquor Ordinance remaining in effect is hereby expressly repealed.
    Section 1.4. Short title. This Ordinance shall be known and cited 
as the ``Resighini Rancheria Liquor Licensing Ordinance.''
    Section 1.5. Purpose. The purpose of this Ordinance is to prohibit 
the importation, manufacture, distribution and sale of alcoholic 
beverages on the Resighini Rancheria, except pursuant to a license 
issued by the Business Council under the provisions of this ordinance.
    Section 1.6. Sovereign immunity preserved. Nothing in this 
ordinance is intended or shall be construed as a waiver of the 
sovereign immunity of the Coast Indian Community of the Resighini 
Rancheria. No officer or employee of the Resighini Rancheria is 
authorized nor shall he/she attempt to waive the immunity of the Tribe 
under the provisions of this ordinance unless such officer or employee 
has express, specific written authorization from the Business Council.
    Section 1.7. Applicability within the reservation. This ordinance 
shall apply to all persons within the exterior boundaries of the 
Resighini Rancheria consistent with the applicable federal Indian 
liquor laws.
    Section 1.8. Interpretation and findings. The Business Council, in 
the first instance, may interpret any ambiguities contained in this 
Ordinance.
    Section 1.9. Application of 18 U.S.C. 1161. The importation, 
manufacture, distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages on the 
Resighini Rancheria shall be in conformity with this Ordinance and in 
conformity with the laws of the State of California as that phrase or 
term is used in 18 U.S.C. 1161.
    Section 1.10. Severability. If any part or provision of this 
Ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is 
held invalid, the remainder of the Ordinance, including the application 
of such part or provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not 
be affected thereby and shall continue in full force and effect. To 
this end the provisions of this Ordinance are severable.
    Section 1.11. Effective date. This Ordinance shall be effective on 
such date as the Secretary of the Interior certifies this Ordinance and 
publishes the same in the Federal Register.

Chapter 2. Definitions

    Section 2.1. Interpretation. In construing the provisions of this 
Ordinance, the following words or phrases shall have the meaning 
designated unless a different meaning is expressly provided or the 
context clearly indicates otherwise.
    Section 2.2. Alcohol. ``Alcohol'' means ethyl alcohol, hydrated 
oxide of ethyl, or spirits of wine, from whatever source or by whatever 
process produced.
    Section 2.3. Alcoholic beverage. ``Alcoholic beverage'' includes 
all alcohol, spirits, liquor, wine, beer, and any liquid or solid 
containing alcohol, spirits wine or beer, and which contains one half 
of one percent or more of alcohol by volume and which is fit for 
beverage purposes either alone or when diluted, mixed, or combined with 
other substances. It shall be interchangeable in this ordinance with 
the term ``liquor.''
    Section 2.4. Beer. ``Beer'' means any alcoholic beverage obtained 
by the fermentation of any infusion or decoction or barley, malt, hops, 
or any other similar product, or any combination thereof in water, and 
includes ale, porter, brown, stout, lager beer, small beer, and strong 
beer, and also includes sake otherwise known as Japanese rice wine.
    Section 2.5. Business Council. ``Business Council'' means the 
governing body of the Coast Indian Community of the Resighini Rancheria 
as provided for under Article III, Sec. 1 of the Tribal Constitution.
    Section 2.6. Distilled spirits. ``Distilled spirits'' means any 
alcoholic beverage obtained by the distillation of fermented 
agricultural products, and includes alcohol for beverage use, spirits 
of wine, whiskey, rum, brandy, and gin, including all dilutions and 
mixtures thereof.
    Section 2.7. Importer. ``Importer'' means any person who introduces 
alcohol or alcoholic beverages into the Resighni Rancheria from outside 
the exterior boundaries thereof for the purpose of sale or distribution 
within the Rancheria, provided however, the term importer as used 
herein shall not include a wholesaler licensed by any state or tribal 
government selling alcoholic beverages to a seller licensed by a state 
or tribal government to sell at retail.
    Section 2.8. Liquor license. ``Liquor license'' means a license 
issued by the Tribal Business Council under the provisions of this 
Ordinance authorizing the sale, manufacture, or importation of 
alcoholic beverages on or within the Rancheria, consistent with federal 
law.

[[Page 37928]]

    Section 2.9. Manufacturer. ``Manufacturer'' means any person 
engaged in the manufacture of alcohol or alcoholic beverages.
    Section 2.10. Person. ``Person'' means any individual, whether 
Indian or non-Indian, receiver, assignee, trustee in bankruptcy, trust, 
estate, firm, partnership, joint corporation, association, society, or 
any group of individuals acting as a unit, whether mutual, cooperative, 
fraternal, non-profit or otherwise, and any other Indian tribe, band or 
group, whether recognized by the United States Government or otherwise. 
The term shall also include the business enterprises of the Tribe. It 
shall be interchangeable in this ordinance with the term ``seller'' or 
``licensee.''
    Section 2.11. Rancheria. ``Rancheria'' means all lands within the 
exterior boundaries of the Resighini Rancheria and such other lands as 
may hereafter be acquired by the Tribe, whether within or without said 
boundaries, under any grant, transfer, purchase, gift, adjudication, 
executive order, Act of Congress, or other means of acquisition.
    Section 2.12. Sale. ``Sale'' means the exchange of property and/or 
any transfer of the ownership of, title to, or possession of property 
for a valuable consideration, exchange or barter, in any manner or by 
any means whatsoever. It includes conditional sales contracts, leases 
with options to purchase, and any other contract under which possession 
of property is given to the purchaser, buyer, or consumer but title is 
retained by the vendor, retailer, manufacturer, or wholesaler, as 
security for the payment of the purchase price. Specifically, it shall 
include any transaction whereby, for any consideration, title to 
alcoholic beverages is transferred from one person to another, and 
includes the delivery of alcoholic beverages pursuant to an order 
placed for the purchase of such beverages, or soliciting or receiving 
such beverages. The term ``sale'' shall also specifically include the 
transfer of alcoholic beverages from one person to another pursuant to 
a complimentary or free beverage policy, promotion, plan, or scheme of 
the seller.
    Section 2.13. Seller. ``Seller'' means any person who, while within 
the exterior boundaries of the Rancheria, sells, solicits or receives 
an order for any alcohol, alcoholic beverages, distilled spirits, beer, 
or wine.
    Section 2.14. Wine. ``Wine'' means the product obtained from the 
normal alcoholic fermentation of the juice of the grapes or other 
agricultural products containing natural or added sugar or any such 
alcoholic beverage to which is added grape brandy, fruit brandy, or 
spirits of wine, which is distilled from the particular agricultural 
product or products of which the wine is made, and other rectified wine 
products.

Chapter 3. Prohibition of the Unlicensed Sale of Liquor

    Section 3.1. Prohibition of the unlicensed sale of liquor. No 
person shall import for sale, manufacture, distribute or sell any 
alcoholic beverages within the reservation without first applying for 
and obtaining a written license from the Business Council issued in 
accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance.
    Section 3.2. Authorization to sell liquor. Any person applying for 
and obtaining a liquor license under the provisions of this ordinance 
shall have the right to engage only in those liquor transactions 
expressly authorized by such license and only at those specific places 
or areas designated in said license.
    Section 3.3. Types of licenses. The Business Council shall have the 
authority to issue the following types of liquor licenses within the 
reservation:
    A. ``Retail on-sale general license'' means a license authorizing 
the applicant to sell alcoholic beverages at retail to be consumed by 
the buyer only on the premises or at the location designated in the 
license.
    B. ``Retail on-sale beer and wine license'' means a license 
authorizing the applicant to sell beer and wine at retail to be 
consumed by the buyer only on the premises or at the location 
designated in the license.
    C. ``Retail off-sale general license'' means a license authorizing 
the applicant to sell alcoholic beverages at retail to be consumed by 
the buyer off of the premises or at a location other than the one 
designated in the license.
    D. ``Retail off-sale beer and wine license'' means a license 
authorizing the applicant to sell beer and wine at retail to be 
consumed by the buyer off of the premises or at a location other than 
the one designated in the license.
    E. ``Manufacturers license'' means a license authorizing the 
applicant to manufacture alcoholic beverages for the purpose of sale on 
the Rancheria.

Chapter 4. Applications for Licenses

    Section 4.1. Application form and content. An application for 
licensing under this Ordinance shall be made to the Business Council 
and shall contain the following information:
    A. The name and address of the applicant. In the case of a 
corporation, the names and addresses of all of the principal officers, 
directors and stockholders of the corporation. In the case of a 
partnership, the name and address of each partner.
    B. The specific area, location and/or premises for which the 
license is applied for.
    C. The type of liquor license applied for (i.e. retail on-sale 
general license, etc.).
    D. Whether the applicant has a California state liquor license.
    E. A statement by the applicant to the effect that the applicant 
has not been convicted of a felony and has not violated and will not 
violate or cause or permit to be violated any of the provisions of this 
Ordinance or any of the provisions of the California Alcoholic Beverage 
Control Act.
    F. The signature and fingerprint of the applicant. In the case of a 
partnership, the signature and fingerprint of each partner. In the case 
of a corporation, the signature and fingerprint of each of the officers 
of the corporation under the seal of the corporation. In the case of a 
tribal business enterprise, the signature and fingerprint of the 
officers of the enterprise or any persons maintaining day-to-day 
control and management of the enterprise, whichever is applicable.
    G. The application shall be verified under oath, notarized and 
accompanied by the license fee required by this Ordinance.
    Section 4.2. Fee accompanying application. The Business Council 
shall by resolution establish a fee schedule for the issuance, renewal 
and transfer of the following types of licenses:
    A. Retail on-sale general license;
    B. Retail on-sale beer and wine license;
    C. Retail off-sale general license;
    D. Retail off-sale beer and wine license; and
    E. Manufacturers license.
    Section 4.3. Investigation. Upon receipt of an application for the 
issuance, transfer or renewal of a license and the application fee 
required herein, the Business Council shall make a thorough 
investigation to determine whether the applicant and the premises for 
which a license is applied for qualify for a license and whether the 
provisions of this Ordinance have been complied with, and shall 
investigate all matters connected therewith which may affect the 
health, safety, and welfare of the Tribe.
    Section 4.4. Denial of application. An application shall not be 
denied, except for good cause. However, the Business Council shall deny 
an application for issuance, renewal, or transfer of a license if 
either the applicant or the proposed Premises:

[[Page 37929]]

    A. Has not complied with application procedures;
    B. Does not meet application requirements;
    C. Would tend to create a law enforcement problem;
    D. Obtained a license on the basis of false, misleading, or 
misrepresented information; or,
    E. Fails to qualify for the issuance of findings of the Business 
Council required by Section 5.2 of this ordinance.

Chapter 5. Issuance, Renewal and Transfer of Licenses

    Section 5.1. Public hearing. Upon receipt of proper application for 
issuance, renewal or transfer of a license, and the payment of all fees 
required under this Ordinance, the Secretary of the Business Council 
shall set the matter for a public hearing. Notice of the time and place 
of the hearing shall be given to the applicant and the public at least 
ten (10) calendar days before the hearing. Notice shall be given to the 
applicant by prepaid U.S. mail at the address listed in the 
application. Notice shall be given to the public by publication in a 
newspaper of general circulation sold on the Rancheria. The notice 
published in the newspaper shall include the name of the applicant and 
the type of license applied for and a general description of the area 
where liquor will be sold. At the hearing, the Business Council shall 
hear from any person who wishes to speak for or against the 
application. The Business Council shall have the authority to place 
time limits on each speaker and limit or prohibit repetitive testimony.
    Section 5.2. Business Council action on the application. Within 
thirty (30) days of the conclusion of the public hearing, the Business 
Council shall act on the matter. The Business Council shall have the 
authority to deny, approve, or approve with conditions the application. 
Before approving the application, the Business Council shall find: (1) 
That the applicant has met all procedural requirements of the 
application process; (2) that investigation of the applicant has not 
produced any information that would disqualify the applicant from 
obtaining a license under this Ordinance; (3) that the site for the 
proposed premises has adequate parking, lighting, security and ingress 
and egress so as not to adversely affect adjoining properties or 
businesses; and, (4) that the sale of alcoholic beverages at the 
proposed premises is consistent with the Tribe's Zoning Ordinance.
    Upon approval of an application, the Business Council shall issue a 
license to the applicant in a form to be approved from time to time by 
the Business Council by resolution. All businesses shall post their 
Tribal liquor licenses issued under this Ordinance in a conspicuous 
place upon the premises where alcoholic beverages are sold, 
manufactured or offered for sale.
    Section 5.3. Multiple locations. Each license shall be issued to a 
specific person. Separate licenses shall be issued for each of the 
premises of any business establishment having more than one location.
    Section 5.4. Term of license. Temporary licenses. All licenses 
issued by the Business Council shall be issued on a calendar year basis 
and shall be renewed annually; provided, however, that the Business 
Council may issue special licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages 
on a temporary basis for premises temporarily occupied by the licensee 
for a picnic, social gathering, or similar occasion at a fee to be 
established by the Business Council by resolution.
    Section 5.5. Transfer of licenses. Each license issued or renewed 
under this Ordinance is separate and distinct and is transferable from 
the licensee to another person and/or from one premises to another 
premises only with the approval of the Business Council. The Business 
Council shall have the authority to approve, deny or approve with 
conditions, any application for the transfer of any license. In the 
case of a transfer to a new person, the application for transfer shall 
contain all of the information required of an original applicant under 
Section 4.1 of this Ordinance. In the case of a transfer to a new 
location, the application shall contain an exact description of the 
location where the alcoholic beverages are proposed to be sold.

Chapter 6. Revocation of Licenses

    Section 6.1. Revocation of license. The Business Council shall 
revoke a license upon any of the following grounds:
    A. The misrepresentation of a material fact by an applicant in 
obtaining a license or a renewal thereof.
    B. The violation of any condition imposed by the Business Council 
on the issuance, transfer, or renewal of a license.
    C. A plea, verdict, or judgment of guilty, or the plea of nolo 
contendere to any public offense involving moral turpitude under any 
federal or state law prohibiting or regulating the sale, use, 
possession, or giving away of alcoholic beverages or intoxicating 
liquors.
    D. The violation of any tribal ordinance.
    E. The failure to take reasonable steps to correct objectionable 
conditions on the licensed premises or any immediate adjacent area 
leased, assigned or rented by the licensee constituting a nuisance 
within a reasonable time after receipt of a notice to make such 
corrections has been received from the Business Council or its 
authorized representative.
    Section 6.2. Accusations. The Business Council on its own motion, 
through the adoption of an appropriate resolution meeting the 
requirements of this Section, or any person, may initiate revocation 
proceedings by filing an accusation with the Secretary of the Business 
Council. The accusation shall be in writing and signed by the maker, 
and shall state facts showing that there are specific grounds under 
this ordinance which would authorize the Business Council to revoke the 
license or licenses of the licensee against whom the accusation is 
made. Upon receipt of an accusation which meets the foregoing 
requirements, the Secretary shall cause the matter to be set for a 
hearing before the Business Council. Thirty (30) days prior to the date 
set for the hearing, the Secretary shall mail a copy of the accusation 
along with a notice of the day and time of the hearing before the 
Business Council. The notice shall command the licensee to appear and 
show cause why the licensee's license should not be revoked. The notice 
shall state that the licensee has the right to file a written response 
to the accusation, verified under oath and signed by the licensee ten 
(10) days prior to the hearing date.
    Section 6.3. Hearing. Any hearing held on any accusation shall be 
held before a quorum of the Business Council under such rules of 
procedure as it may adopt. Both the licensee and the person filing the 
accusation, including the Tribe, shall have the right to present 
witnesses to testify and to present written documents in support of 
their positions to the Business Council. The Business Council shall 
render its decision within sixty (60) days after the date of the 
hearing. The decision of the Business Council shall be final and non-
appealable.

Chapter 7. Enforcement

    Section 7.1. General penalties. Any person adjudged to be in 
violation of this Ordinance shall be subject to a civil penalty of not 
more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for each such violation. The 
Business Council may adopt by resolution a separate schedule of fines 
for each type of violation, taking into account its seriousness and the

[[Page 37930]]

threat it may pose to the general health and welfare of tribal members. 
Such schedule may also provide, in the case of repeated violations, for 
imposition of monetary penalties greater than the Five Hundred Dollars 
($500.00) limitation set forth above. The penalties provided for herein 
shall be in addition to any criminal penalties which may hereafter be 
imposed in conformity with Federal law by separate Chapter, or 
provision of this Ordinance or by a separate ordinance adopted by the 
Business Council.
    Section 7.2. Initiation of action. Any violation of this ordinance 
shall constitute a public nuisance. The Business Council may initiate 
and maintain an action in tribal court or any court of competent 
jurisdiction to abate and permanently enjoin any nuisance declared 
under this Ordinance. Any action taken under this Section shall be in 
addition to any other penalties provided for by this Ordinance.

    Dated: July 8, 1997.
Ada E. Deer,
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 97-18504 Filed 7-14-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-02-P