New Legislation Update for the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas
(LIVINGSTON, TX) —
US LITIGATION
The Tribes’ efforts in Washington, DC continue to gain momentum following the recent historic win in the United States Supreme Court and the State of Texas dropping their appeal in a separate legal case where the Tribe prevailed in District Court.
In July, the House of Representatives passed two separate bills that would ensure the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe is covered under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). Passing this legislation essentially codifies the Tribe’s recent legal victories and will provide the stability required to continue to provide for Tribal members.
The National Defense Authorization Act, H.R. 7900, passed the House of Representatives on July 14, 2022. The NDAA is traditionally passed and signed into law each year and authorizes activities for the Department of Defense. The text of H.R. 2208, legislation that would put the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe under IGRA, was included in this legislation, which passed the House of Representatives on a vote of 329-101.
H.R. 8294 passed the House of Representatives on July 20, 2022. The 876-page bill will fund multiple parts of the Federal government, including but not limited to the Department of Transportation, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Energy, and the Department of the Interior. Like the NDAA, the text of H.R. 2208 was included in this legislation, which was approved on a vote of 220-207.
Both H.R. 7900 and H.R. 8294 now have to be conferenced with the U.S. Senate, which will have their own versions of the respective bills. Typically these bills will be completed later this year, most likely in November or December.
August 1, 2022
TEXAS STATE LEGISLATURE
The legislative delegation that represents the Tribe in the state legislature is thrilled with the recent favorable court decisions, and we will continue working with them to ensure the Tribe is in the best possible position to continue its efforts to convince state leadership of the benefits and contributions being made by the Tribe.
The favorable court decisions also place the Tribe in a more favorable position moving forward as we evaluate all legislative proposals for the expansion of gaming in Texas.
August 1, 2022
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