Governor Schwarzenegger Announces Memoranda of Agreement with Four Tribes

Office of The Governor: http://gov.ca.gov/index.php?/press-release/6808/

06/27/2007 - GAAS:516:07 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Governor Schwarzenegger today announced memoranda of agreement (MOAs) have been signed with the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians; the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation; the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians. The MOAs are government-to-government agreements with enforcement provisions that are separate and apart from the 2006 compact amendments.

"These agreements will enhance our already-strong compacts and will give the Legislature the assurances they need to approve the compacts, which will bring in much-needed revenue for vital services and programs that Californians rely upon," said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. "I have said all along that these compacts will benefit California, the local communities and the tribes. Once again, we have proven that by setting partisan differences aside and working together, we can do what is in the best interest for California.

"Under the memoranda of agreement, tribes will:

* Require their Gaming Facility employees to comply with state court and agency orders pertaining to child, family, and spousal support.

* Provide to the state documents related to their workers' compensation system if they have not entered into the state's system.

* Establish comprehensive programs to address problem gambling. The programs will include:

o Training of employees to identify and manage problem gambling.
o Posting of signage with information for patrons on where to obtain assistance for gambling problems.
o Exclusion programs for problem gamblers.
o Efforts to prevent underage individuals from loitering in areas where gaming occurs.
o Assurances that marketing and advertising contain a responsible gambling message.

* Maintain and implement minimum internal control standards for class III gaming that are no less stringent than those contained in the Minimum Internal Control Standards (MICS) of the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) until such time as the State Gaming Agency has regulations in effect that contain standards as stringent as the MICS and the NIGC regains authority to adopt and enforce MICS.

* Agree to submit to enforcement and auditing by the state to ensure the tribes are in compliance with the MICS.

* Provide copies of financial audits to the state, including any class III gaming audits submitted to the NIGC.

In addition, the tribes and state agree that any disputes that occur under the MOAs will be resolved first by good-faith negotiations. Disputes that are not resolved by negotiation may be submitted to binding arbitration. The arbitration award may be enforced in federal or state court.

These four tribes' amendments to their gaming compacts with the state are currently pending ratification by the State Assembly. The State Senate has already ratified the amendments. The compact amendments were signed by the Governor and the Tribal Chairs last August.

Copies of the MOAs are attached.

Pechanga MOA - http://gov.ca.gov/pdf/press/MOA_Pechanga.pdf
Agua Caliente MOA - http://gov.ca.gov/pdf/press/MOA_Agua_Caliente.pdf
Morongo MOA - http://gov.ca.gov/pdf/press/MOA_Morongo.pdf
Sycuan MOA - http://gov.ca.gov/pdf/press/MOA_Sycuan.pdf