Indian Gaming Bills Signed in California

California Governor Gray Davis, who will soon be ousted from office, signed four Indian gaming bills Sunday before the midnight deadline.

Two of the bills ratified agreements his administration had already negotiated this summer with Indian tribes that want to open new gambling facilities in Southern California.

The Torres-Martinez Band of Desert Cahuilla Indians plans to install 350 slot machines at a truck stop in Imperial County and another 1,650 slots at a casino the tribe will build in Riverside County. The other bill allows the La Posta Band of Diegueno Mission Indians and the Santa Ysabel Band of Diegueno Mission Indians to operate up to 350 slot machines each.

Under the terms of the agreements, the three tribes agree to share up to 5% of their casino profits with the state. "The signing of these laws is the final hurdle in helping these tribes establish successful long-desired economic development projects on their reservations," said Davis, who also signed a bill to authorize $25 million in local government aid "to mitigate impacts from tribal casinos."

In addition, Davis signed a measure granting a three-year extension to the statewide moratorium on the construction and licensing of gambling facilities not operated by Indian tribes.

The bills are likely to strengthen the tribe’s position in negotiating with new governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has been insisting on the tribes paying their “fair share” in taxes.