On the last day of its session, the California Senate approved modifications that will grant the state’s tribes a single opportunity to sue and assess if gambling operations are breaching state law.
The measure is now pending final approval from California Governor Gavin Newsom. The Senate backed the changes with a 32-2 vote. “The passage of SB 549 is great news for California’s tribal nations,” expressed James Siva, chairman of the California Gaming Association.
Originally introduced in February 2023, the bill, known as the Tribal Access to Justice Act, faced delays last summer, but lawmakers revisited it in June to explore the details further. Nonetheless, some critics argue that these changes could negatively impact state businesses by leading to job losses for Californians.
