The House Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs took testimony on H.R.3535 last September. It has not yet been considered at a markup, which is when an amendment would typically be brought up. Were the bill to become law, the rancheria that was set aside for the original residents would be placed in trust so the tribe could build a casino there. The tribe would also be able to seek other lands and engage in gaming on them so long as it can demonstrate "substantial" aboriginal and modern connections to those lands, according to the text of H.R.3535 as introduced. The chief of staff for Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-California), the sponsor of the bill, told The Daily Tidings that the forthcoming amendment would clarify those provisions. “We are working on an amendment to restrict the legislation in Eastern Siskiyou County only,” the staffer told the paper. The Ruffey Rancheria was terminated by an act of Congress. Its reservation was located near the city of Etna, in the eastern part of the county. The federally recognized Karuk Tribe is opening the Rain Rock Casino in Yreka, about 30 miles north of Etna. Read More on the Story:
Tribal chairman: Casino in Ashland won’t happen (The Ashlan Daily Tidings April 5, 2018) House Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs Notice:
Legislative Hearing on 3 Tribal Recognition Bills (September 26, 2017)
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