After almost exactly one year between committee meetings, California legislation allowing tribes to defend their exclusive gaming rights through a lawsuit against cardrooms is on the move once again.
The Assembly Governmental Organization Committee, which handles gaming issues, voted 15-1 Tuesday to pass the legislation providing tribes standing to get a California court to resolve their longstanding dispute with cardrooms over house-banked games such as blackjack and baccarat.
Sponsored by Sen. Josh Newman, SB549 had a new name — the Tribal Nations Access to Justice Act — but the same supporters, opponents and arguments as when it passed the Assembly Judiciary Committee on July 7 last year.
