California Governor Gavin Newsome has signed a bill into law that exempts certain tribal gaming projects from being subject to review under the terms of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Senator Melissa Hurtado introduced Senate Bill 900, which she co-authored with Assemblyman Rudy Salas. The bill ratifies gaming compacts the state has with the Santa Rosa Rancheria Tachi Yokut Tribe and the Middletown Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians.
For the purposes of CEQA, SB 900 classifies the compacts with both tribes as non-projects. Under the conditions laid out in the CEQA, developments are required to undergo thorough environmental reviews. These sometimes are subject to public scrutiny as well.
Hurtado’s office issued an official statement regarding the recently signed bill and the economic benefits both compacts would provide for the tribes. However, the release did not specially mention the CEQA exemption.
Hurtado said in the statement: “For decades the Tachi Yokut Tribe has been a valuable partner in the Kings County Community. The tribe provides scholarship assistance, job training and adult education programs, health and welfare assistance and other social services. I am pleased that the Tachi Yokut Tribe will receive the recognition they deserve.”
The Tachi Yokut tribe's Chairman Leo Sisco thanked both Governor Newsom and Senator Hurtado via the official statement.
Sisco commented: “On behalf of the Tachi Yokut Tribe, I would like to thank both Governor Newsom and Senator Hurtado for leading the effort to pass our tribal-state gaming compact.
“We are pleased to continue our role as a positive economic force in the local community while maintaining the important opportunities and resources for our members, many of which are made possible by our gaming enterprise.”
