[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 156 (Tuesday, August 13, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49283-49286]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-19562]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Indian Affairs

[134A2100DD/AAK300000/a0t500000.000000]


Chicken Ranch Rancheria--Chicken Ranch Liquor Licensing 
Ordinance, Ordinance No. 12-10-03

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice publishes the Chicken Ranch Liquor Licensing 
Ordinance, Ordinance No. 12-10-03. The Ordinance regulates and controls 
the possession, sale and consumption of liquor within the Indian 
Country of the Chicken Ranch Rancheria. The land is trust land and this 
Ordinance allows for the possession and sale of alcoholic beverages 
within the jurisdiction of the Chicken Ranch Rancheria. This Ordinance 
will increase the ability of the tribal government to control the 
distribution and possession of liquor within their jurisdiction, and at 
the same time will provide an important source of revenue, which will 
strengthen the tribal government and improve the delivery of tribal 
services.

DATES: Effective Date: This Ordinance is effective August 13, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Harley Long, Tribal Government 
Officer, Pacific Regional Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 2800 
Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825, Phone: (916) 978-6067; Fax: (916) 
916-6099: or De Springer, Office of Indian Services, Bureau of Indian 
Affairs, 1849 C Street NW., MS-4513-MIB, Washington, DC 20240; 
Telephone (202) 513-7640.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Act of August 15, 1953, 
Public Law 83-277, 67 Stat. 586, 18 U.S.C. 1161, as interpreted by the 
Supreme Court in Rice v. Rehner, 463 U.S. 713 (1983), the Secretary of 
the Interior shall certify and publish in the Federal Register notice 
of adopted liquor ordinances for the purpose of regulating liquor 
transactions in Indian country. The Chicken Ranch Tribal Council 
adopted this Ordinance by Resolution 12-10-03-03 on October 3, 2012.
    This notice is published in accordance with the authority delegated 
by the Secretary of the Interior to the Assistant Secretary--Indian 
Affairs. I certify that the Chicken Ranch Tribal Council duly adopted 
the Chicken Ranch Liquor Licensing Ordinance, Ordinance No. 12-10-03 by 
Chicken Ranch Tribal Council Resolution 12-10-03-03 on October 3, 2012.

    Dated: August 6, 2013.
Kevin K. Washburn,
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.

    The Chicken Ranch Liquor Licensing Ordinance, Ordinance No. 12-10-
03, shall read as follows:
    The Tribal Council (``Council'') for the Chicken Ranch Rancheria of 
Me-wuk Indians of California Tuolumne County California (``Tribe'') 
does hereby ordain as follows:
    Section 1. Declaration of Findings. The Council hereby finds as 
follows:
    1. Section 6(i) of the Constitution of the Tribe grants to the 
Tribal Council the power ``to license and regulate the conduct of all 
business activities within the Tribal jurisdiction.''
    2. The introduction, possession and sale of alcoholic beverages on 
the Chicken Ranch Rancheria is a matter of special concern to the 
Tribe.
    3. Federal law, as codified in 18 U.S.C. 1161, leaves to tribes the 
decision regarding when and to what extent alcoholic beverage 
transactions shall be permitted on Indian reservations.

[[Page 49284]]

    4. Present day circumstances make a complete ban on alcoholic 
beverages within the Chicken Ranch 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 a tribal ordinance governing alcoholic beverage 
sales on the Chicken Ranch 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 Chicken Ranch 
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 2. Declaration of Policy. The Council hereby declares that 
the policy of the Tribe is to eliminate the evils of unlicensed and 
unlawful manufacture, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages on 
the Chicken Ranch Rancheria and to promote temperance in the use and 
consumption of alcoholic beverages by increasing tribal control over 
the possession and distribution of alcoholic beverages on the 
Reservation in accordance with 18 U.S.C. 1161.
    Section 3. Adoption of Liquor Licensing Ordinance. Seven (7) new 
Chapters shall be added to Title 4 of the Chicken Ranch Tribal Code 
entitled ``Liquor Licensing Ordinance'' and shall provide as follows:

Liquor Licensing Ordinance

Chapters:

02 General Provisions
04 Definitions
06 Prohibition of the Unlicensed Sale of Liquor on the Reservation
08 Application for License
10 Issuance, Renewal, and Transfer of Licenses
12 Revocation of Licenses
14 Enforcement

Chapter 02--General Provisions

    02.010 Short title. This ordinance shall be known and cited as the 
``Chicken Ranch Liquor Licensing Ordinance''.
    02.020 Purpose. The purpose of this ordinance is to prohibit the 
importation, manufacture, distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages 
on the Chicken Ranch Rancheria except pursuant to a license issued by 
the Chicken Ranch Tribal Council under the provisions of this 
ordinance.
    02.030 Sovereign immunity preserved. Nothing in this ordinance is 
intended or shall be construed as a waiver of the sovereign immunity of 
the Chicken Ranch Rancheria. No officer or employee of the Chicken 
Ranch 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 an expressed and explicit written 
authorization from the Chicken Ranch Rancheria Tribal Council.
    02.040 Applicability within the reservation. This ordinance shall 
apply to all persons within the jurisdiction of the Chicken Ranch 
Rancheria consistent with the applicable federal Indian liquor laws.
    02.050 Interpretation and findings. The Chicken Ranch Tribal 
Council in the first instance may interpret any ambiguities contained 
in this ordinance.
    02.060 Conflicting provisions. Whenever any conflict occurs between 
the provisions of this ordinance, the provisions of any other ordinance 
of the Tribe, the stricter of such provisions shall apply.

Chapter 04--Definitions

    04.010 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.
    04.020 Alcohol. ``Alcohol'' means ethyl alcohol, hydrated oxide of 
ethyl, or spirits of wine, from whatever source or by whatever process 
produced.
    04.030 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''.
    04.040 Beer. ``Beer'' means any alcoholic beverage obtained by the 
fermentation of any infusion of decoction of 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.
    04.050 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.
    04.060 Importer. ``Importer'' means any person who introduces 
alcohol or alcoholic beverages into the Chicken Ranch Rancheria from 
outside lands that are outside the jurisdiction of the Rancheria for 
the purpose of sale or distribution within Rancheria lands, 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.
    04.070 Liquor License. ``Liquor license'' means a license issued by 
the Chicken Ranch Tribal Council under the provisions of this ordinance 
authorizing the sale, manufacture, or importation of alcoholic 
beverages on or within lands of the Chicken Ranch Rancheria consistent 
with federal law.
    04.080 Manufacturer. ``Manufacturer'' means any person engaged in 
the manufacture of alcohol or alcoholic beverages.
    04.090 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 businesses of the Tribe. It shall be 
interchangeable in this ordinance with the term ``seller'' or 
``licensee''.
    04.100 Lands within the jurisdiction of the Tribe. ``Lands within 
the jurisdiction of the Tribe'' means all lands within the exterior 
boundaries of the Chicken Ranch Rancheria and all lands held in trust 
by the United States for the benefit of the Tribe, and such lands as 
may be acquired in the future by the Tribe, under any grant, transfer, 
purchase, gift, adjudication, executive order, Act of Congress, or 
other means of acquisition.
    04.110 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

[[Page 49285]]

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.
    04.120 Seller. ``Seller'' means any person who, while within the 
jurisdiction of the Tribe, sells, solicits or receives an order for any 
alcohol, alcoholic beverages, distilled spirits, beer, or wine.
    04.130 Tribal Council. ``Tribal Council'' or ``Council'' means the 
Chicken Ranch Tribal Council.
    04.140 Tribe. ``Tribe'' means the Chicken Ranch Rancheria, a 
federally recognized Indian Tribe.
    04.150 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 06--Prohibition of the Unlicensed Sale of Liquor

    06.010 Prohibition of the unlicensed sale of liquor. No person 
shall import for sale, manufacture, distribute or sell any alcoholic 
beverages within lands under the jurisdiction of the Tribe without 
first applying for and obtaining a written license from the Tribal 
Council issued in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance.
    06.020 Authorization to sell liquor. Any person applying for and 
obtaining a liquor license under the provision 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.
    06.030 Types of licenses. The Council shall have the authority to 
issue the following types of liquor licenses for the sale of alcoholic 
beverages on lands within the jurisdiction of the Tribe:
    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 lands within the jurisdiction of the Tribe.

Chapter 08--Applications for Licenses

    08.010 Application form and content. An application for a license 
shall be made to the 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 transaction applied for (i.e. retail on-sale 
general license, etc.).
    D. Whether the applicant has a 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 or Indian Tribe, including the Tribe, the signature 
and fingerprint of each of the officers of the corporation or Tribe 
under the seal of the corporation or attestation of the Tribal 
Secretary.
    G. The application shall be verified under oath, notarized and 
accompanied by the licensed fee required by this ordinance.
    08.020 Fee accompanying application. The 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 liquor; and
    E. Manufacturers license.
    08.030 Investigation; denial of application. Upon receipt of an 
application for the issuance, transfer or renewal of a license and the 
application fee required herein, the 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 public 
welfare and morals. The Council shall deny an application for issuance, 
renewal or transfer of a license if either the applicant or the 
premises for which a license is applied for do not qualify for a 
license under this ordinance or if the applicant has misrepresented any 
facts in the application or given any false information to the Council 
in order to obtain a license.
    The Council further may deny any application for issuance, renewal 
or transfer of a license if the Council finds that the issuance of such 
a license would tend to create a law enforcement problem, or if 
issuance of said license would not be in the best interests of the 
Tribe.

Chapter 10--Issuance, Renewal and Transfer of Licenses

    10.010 Public hearing. Upon receipt of an application for issuance, 
renewal or transfer of a license, and the payment of all fees required 
under this ordinance, the Secretary of the 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 any lands subject to the jurisdiction of the Tribe. 
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 Council 
shall hear from any person who wishes to speak for or against the 
application. The Council shall have the authority to place time limits 
on each speaker and limit or prohibit repetitive testimony. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Ordinance to the contrary, 
nothing in this Ordinance shall require the Secretary to publish notice 
of any hearing held under this Section 10.010, if the hearing is for a 
temporary event and notice is posted at the Tribal Administrative 
Offices and Casino at a location visible to the public.

[[Page 49286]]

    10.020 Council action on the application. Within thirty (30) days 
of the conclusion of the public hearing, the Council shall act on the 
matter. The Council shall have the authority to deny, approve, or 
approve with conditions, the application. Before approving the 
application, the Council shall find: (1) 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 (2) that the sale of alcoholic beverages at the 
proposed premises is consistent with the Tribe's Zoning Ordinance.
    Upon approval of an application, the Council shall issue a license 
to the applicant in a form to be approved from time to time by the 
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.
    10.030 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.
    10.040 Term of license. Temporary licenses. All licenses issued by 
the Council shall be issued on a calendar year basis and shall be 
renewed annually; provided, however, that the 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, special events, or similar occasion at a fee to be 
established by the Council by resolution.
    10.050 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 Council. The 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 08.010 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 12--Revocation of Licenses

    12.010 Revocation of license. The 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 or transfer thereof.
    B. The violation of any condition imposed by the 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, tribal, 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 of the Tribe.
    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 Council or its authorized 
representative.
    12.020 Accusations. The 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 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 Council to revoke the license or licenses of the licensee against 
whom the accusation is made. Upon receipt of an accusation, the 
Secretary of the Council shall cause the matter to be set for a hearing 
before the 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 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.
    12.030 Hearing. Any hearing held on any accusation shall be held 
before a majority of the 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 Council. The Council shall render its decision within sixty (60) 
days after the date of the hearing. The decision of the Council shall 
be final and non-appealable.

Chapter 14--Enforcement

    14.010 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 Council may 
adopt by resolution a separate schedule of fines for each type of 
violation, taking into account its seriousness and the 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 
under a separate ordinance adopted by the Council.
    14.020 Initiation of action. Any violation of this ordinance shall 
constitute a public nuisance. The Council may initiate and maintain an 
action in 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 in this ordinance.
    Section 4. 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 affect. To this 
end the provisions of this ordinance are severable.
    Section 5. 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.

[FR Doc. 2013-19562 Filed 8-12-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-4J-P