Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tribal Confidentiality topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee advances AB 1004 to shield tribal financial records submitted for public assistance
Summary
AB 1004 would make tribal financial information confidential when tribes submit that information to state or local agencies solely to secure public grants, loans, or other financial assistance; bill supporters said the change protects tribal sovereignty and encourages participation in public programs.
The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced Assembly Bill 1004, which would exempt tribal financial records submitted solely to obtain state or local public financial assistance from public-disclosure under the California Public Records Act.
Assemblymember Wallace, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure protects tribal sovereignty and prevents tribal governments from having to choose between pursuing public programs and preserving proprietary financial information. Chad Maze of Capital Advocacy, testifying for the Soboba Band of Los Sueno Indians (bill sponsor), told the committee agencies now make ad hoc decisions about tribal financial records and that the measure provides consistent confidentiality and encourages collaboration on infrastructure and economic-development projects.
Several tribal governments and tribal associations testified in support, including Pechanga, the Agua Caliente Band, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, and others. Paula Treat said she was “disappointed this wasn’t on consent” because it has broad support and no opposition; other witnesses made similar remarks. No opposition testimony was offered at the hearing.
The committee recorded a motion to pass AB 1004 to Senate Appropriations; the transcript records committee votes and later the measure was reported out of committee with an all-aye tally recorded in the hearing transcript (final roll calls recorded as unanimous votes in the hearing).
