Tribal gaming: compact and amendment ratification.

Senator Grove's legislation ratifies both amendments to an existing tribal gaming compact and a new gaming agreement between California and the Big Sandy Rancheria of Western Mono Indians. The amendments extend the terms of the tribe's original 1999 gaming compact, while the new agreement establishes updated parameters for tribal gaming operations.

The bill exempts specific compact-related activities from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review requirements, citing deference to tribal sovereignty. These exemptions apply to the execution of the compact and its amendments, intergovernmental agreements between the tribe and local or state agencies, and on-reservation impacts from compact compliance. However, state and local jurisdictions remain subject to CEQA requirements for activities not explicitly exempted.

Designated as an urgency statute, the legislation takes effect immediately upon passage, requiring a two-thirds majority vote. The bill's urgency clause cites the need to expedite economic development opportunities for the Big Sandy Rancheria while protecting the interests of tribal members and surrounding communities. The measure requires fiscal committee review but involves no direct state appropriations or local program mandates.