California’s Governor Has Signed Several Bills Concerning Tribal Gambling

California’s Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 2173, Assembly Bill 2539, Senate Bill 542, and Senate Bill 1235, all of which concern various Tribal gaming agreements. The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act requires Tribal lands to operate through compacts negotiated between tribes and states. California, however, requires those agreements to go through legislative ratification, making the Governor’s signature indispensable for the process. Assembly Bill 2173 and Assembly Bill 2539 Give Tribal Gaming More Room for Expansion Assembly Bill 2173 ratifies an amendment to a tribal compact between the State of California and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. With this, the agreement is extended through December 31, 2061, and provides additional flexibility for future growth of the casino. This includes provision for the casino to acquire up to 500 more gambling machines. Authored by Assemblymember Greg Wallis, R-Bermuda Dunes, the Bill represents a significant milestone in the work between the state and Agua Caliente. Chairman Jeff Grubbe of the casino, along with various tribal representatives, worked with state officials throughout the compact amendment process. Wallis explained that Agua Caliente has been a tremendous partner to the Coachella Valley for generations. He noted that the agreement respects tribal sovereignty, supports continued economic opportunity, and also strengthens a partnership that has already brought benefits in the area. Meanwhile, Assembly Bill 2539 ratifies a new compact with the Yurok Tribe and replaces an older compact from 1999. Now, the Yurok Tribe, which has more than 5,000 enrolled members and is California’s largest tribe by membership, can operate up to 349 gaming devices across as many as three gaming venues. Newsom Also Signed Several Assembly Bills Newsom also signed Senate Bill 542 and Senate Bill 1235. The former bill ratifies amendments to the compact between the state and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. It extended the compact term and made changes relating to tort liability in the amended provisions. SB1235, meanwhile, ratifies the fifth compact amendment for the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians. However, the bill also creates a new compact with the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe and also marks the first compact amendment for the Pechanga Band of Indians. Newsom also signed Senate Bill 920 and Senate Bill 1526, both of which are related to gambling, but not directly to tribal gaming. The former bill requires the California Gambling Control Commission or the Department of Justice to publish details on the need, purpose, and authorized use of fees deposited into the Gambling Control Fund. Meanwhile, SB1526 relates to horse racing. It removes a 90-day deadline for some audits of horsemen’s organizations and allows the California Horse Racing Board to permit exceptions. Back to tribal gaming in California, the Blue Lake Rancheria Indians and the Chicken Ranch Rancheria of the Me-Wuk Indians recently scored a major victory against Kalshi in the broader ongoing legal battle between tribes and prediction market operators.