Senate committee reviews amendments to four tribal-state gaming compacts

At an informational hearing of the California State Senate Committee on Governmental Organization, administration and tribal representatives described amendments to four tribal‑state Class III gaming compacts and one rolling extension while answering senators’ questions about revenue sharing, regulatory cost recovery and litigation.

The hearing, conducted as an information-only briefing, featured Matthew Lee, senior advisor for tribal negotiations in the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom; tribal representatives including Michael Wynne and Cody Martinez; and committee members who pressed for clearer, compact-by-compact financial figures. Committee members said the administration will provide detailed funding and appropriation figures after the hearing.

The compacts are negotiated under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). Matthew Lee said the updates were broadly aimed at bringing older compacts into alignment with IGRA as interpreted by recent Ninth Circuit case law — particularly the court’s decision in the Chicken Ranch litigation — and the state’s more recent compact framework. "We no longer bargain for those off‑list prohibited terms under Chicken Ranch," Lee said, summarizing several changes the administration has negotiated with tribes.

Highlights from each compact or amendment discussed:

Cher‑Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria: Lee said the compact allows the tribe to operate up to 1,200 gaming devices at up to three facilities and includes revenue terms intended to defray state regulatory costs (a special distribution fund) and an impact mitigation fund if…