Assembly committee hears briefing on one-year extension of Yurok tribal-state gaming compact

The Assembly Committee on Governmental Organizations on Wednesday heard from state and tribal officials about a proposed one-year extension of the tribal-state gaming compact between the State of California and the Yurok Tribe.

Assembly Member Blanca Rubio, chair of the committee, opened the informational hearing and said the extension "does not change the terms of the tribe's existing compact" and is intended to "preserve the term through 12/31/2026." Rubio emphasized that the session was for briefing purposes only and that "no formal vote will be taken today."

Matthew Lee, senior adviser for tribal negotiations for Governor Newsom, told the committee the extension is meant to "preserve the status quo" while the governor's office and tribal leaders negotiate a new compact. Lee said the Yurok tribe's existing compact dates to 2006 and that the extension would maintain current arrangements "until the end of this calendar year" while those talks continue.

Joseph James, chairman of the Yurok Tribe, said the amendment "simply extends the compact for 1 year" and does not alter substantive terms. James said the extension would allow the tribe to continue operating 99 slot machines at a hotel-casino in Klamath under the current framework while a new compact is negotiated.

A person identifying themself as Chris Lundstrom stated on the record that they were in support on behalf of the California Bridal Business Lines. Committee members recorded that there was no opposition and no member questions.

Because the committee's role in this matter is informational and the legislature cannot amend compacts, Rubio said any formal consideration of a related bill would occur later on the Assembly floor. With no further business, Rubio adjourned the hearing.

The hearing transcript includes multiple typographical errors in how the compact was named; the record and witnesses consistently described the matter as a tribal-state gaming compact between the State of California and the Yurok Tribe.