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A JOINT RESOLUTION
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proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the Kickapoo |
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Traditional Tribe of Texas to conduct gaming by executing a gaming |
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agreement with this state; providing for licensing of persons under |
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the agreement; limiting certain taxes and fees. |
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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 47(a), Article III, Texas Constitution, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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(a) The Legislature shall pass laws prohibiting lotteries |
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and gift enterprises in this State other than those authorized by |
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Subsections (b), (d), (d-1), and (e) of this section and Section 47a |
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of this article. |
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SECTION 2. Article III, Texas Constitution, is amended by |
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adding Section 47a to read as follows: |
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Sec. 47a. (a) The chairman of the federally recognized |
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Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas may execute a gaming agreement |
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containing the terms set forth in Subsection (c) of this section on |
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receipt of a duly enacted resolution of the governing body of the |
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tribe authorizing the chairman to execute the agreement and on |
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provision of a copy of the resolution to the governor. The governor |
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of this state is not required to take any further action before the |
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gaming agreement becomes effective. The executed gaming agreement |
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constitutes a gaming compact between this state and the Tribe for |
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purposes of the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (Pub. L. |
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No. 100-497). The Tribe is responsible for: |
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(1) providing a copy of the executed agreement to the |
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governor; and |
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(2) submitting a copy of the executed agreement to the |
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United States Secretary of the Interior for approval and |
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publication in the Federal Register. |
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(b) If, after January 1, 2021, video lottery terminals, slot |
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machines, or other forms of gaming are authorized under state law |
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within 200 nautical miles of the boundary of the Kickapoo |
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Traditional Tribe's reservation near Eagle Pass, Texas, the Tribe |
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is authorized to offer the same types of games or devices as |
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authorized under the other forms of gaming at a location designated |
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by the Tribe. The number of games or devices authorized at the |
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location is equal to the maximum number, if any, of games or devices |
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authorized under state law for other gaming locations. The |
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location must be on land owned or leased by the Tribe that is within |
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300 nautical miles of the boundary of the Kickapoo Traditional |
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Tribe's reservation but may not be within 30 nautical miles of a |
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licensed horse or greyhound racetrack in operation on the effective |
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date of the agreement executed under Subsection (a) of this |
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section. The gaming authorized under this subsection shall be |
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regulated by the Tribe and the Secretary of State. A rule on gaming |
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conducted by the Tribe that is adopted by the Secretary of State may |
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not be more restrictive than a rule applicable to other comparable |
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types of gaming licensed by this state. A tax or fee may not be |
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imposed on the Tribe in an amount that exceeds the amount of a tax or |
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fee imposed on the operators of other gaming facilities in this |
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state. |
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(c) A gaming agreement executed under Subsection (a) of this |
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section must be in the form and contain the provisions as follows: |
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GAMING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE KICKAPOO TRADITIONAL TRIBE OF TEXAS |
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AND THE STATE OF TEXAS |
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This Agreement is entered into between the Kickapoo |
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Traditional Tribe of Texas, a federally recognized Indian Tribe |
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("Tribe"), and the State of Texas ("State"), with respect to the |
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operation of covered games (as defined herein) on the Tribe's |
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Indian lands as defined by Section 4(4), Indian Gaming Regulatory |
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Act (25 U.S.C. Section 2703(4)). |
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PART I. TITLE |
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This document shall be referred to as "The Kickapoo |
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Traditional Tribe of Texas and State of Texas Gaming Agreement." |
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PART II. RECITALS |
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1. The Tribe is a federally recognized tribal government |
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with sovereign powers and rights of self-government. The Tribe has |
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special gaming rights under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory |
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Act (Pub. L. No. 100-497). |
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2. The State is a state of the United States possessing the |
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sovereign powers and rights of a state. |
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3. The State and the Tribe maintain a |
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government-to-government relationship, and this agreement will |
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foster mutual respect and understanding between Indians and |
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non-Indians. |
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4. The Tribe and the State jointly intend to protect the |
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integrity of gaming regulated under this agreement. |
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5. The gaming under this agreement will further the purposes |
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of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (Pub. L. No. 100-497) to |
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promote tribal economic development, self-sufficiency, and strong |
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tribal government, and will assist the Tribe in funding tribal |
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programs that provide needed services to the Tribe's members. |
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PART III. DEFINITIONS |
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In this compact: |
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A. "Class III gaming" means the forms of Class III |
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gaming defined in Section 4(8), Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (25 |
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U.S.C. Section 2703(8)) and by the regulations of the National |
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Indian Gaming Commission. |
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B. "Commission" means the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe |
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of Texas Tribal Gaming Commission, which is the tribal governmental |
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agency that has the authority to carry out the Tribe's regulatory |
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and oversight responsibilities under this compact. |
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C. "Compact" means this gaming agreement between the |
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Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas and the State of Texas. |
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D. "Covered game" or "covered gaming activity" means |
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Class III gaming activities that were determined to be available to |
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the Tribe by the United States Department of the Interior, video |
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lottery terminals, and any other Class III game of chance and/or |
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skill authorized by State law for any person after January 1, 2021. |
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E. "Covered game employee" or "covered employee" means |
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an individual employed and licensed by the Tribe whose |
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responsibilities include providing services related to the |
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operation, maintenance, or management of covered games. The term |
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includes: |
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1. managers and assistant managers; |
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2. accounting personnel; |
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3. commission officers; |
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4. surveillance and security personnel; |
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5. cashiers, supervisors, and floor personnel; |
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6. cage personnel; and |
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7. any other employee whose employment duties |
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require or authorize access to areas of a facility related to the |
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conduct of a covered game or the technical support or storage of a |
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covered game component. |
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"Covered game employee" or "covered employee" does not |
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include an elected official of the Tribe who is not directly |
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involved in the operation, maintenance, or management of a covered |
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game or covered game component. |
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F. "Document" means a book, a record, an electronic, |
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magnetic, or computer media document, or another writing or |
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material. The term includes a copy of any of those documents and |
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information contained in the document. |
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G. "Effective date" means the date on which the |
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compact becomes effective under Part XV.A of this compact. |
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H. "Facility" or "facilities" means a building or |
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buildings of the Tribe in which a covered game authorized by this |
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compact is conducted on the Tribe's Indian lands as defined by the |
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Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (Pub. L. No. 100-497). Subject to the |
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terms of this compact, the Tribe has the ultimate responsibility |
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for ensuring that the operation of each facility conforms to the |
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requirements of this compact. |
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I. "IGRA" means the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (Pub. |
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L. No. 100-497). |
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J. "Net win" means the total receipts, not including |
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free or promotional credits issued by the Tribe, from the play of |
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all covered games less all prize payouts and participation fees. |
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K. "Participation fee" means a payment made by the |
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Tribe to a supplier on a periodic basis for the right to lease or |
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otherwise offer for play a gaming device that the Tribe does not own |
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for a covered gaming activity. A participation fee may be a royalty |
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payment or lease payment. The Tribe acknowledges that the Tribe did |
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not hold an interest in a company that supplies a gaming device on |
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the date this compact was executed. If the Tribe acquires an |
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interest in a company that supplies gaming devices, the Tribe may |
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not deduct from the net win a participation fee for the supplier in |
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which the Tribe has acquired an interest. |
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L. "Patron" means a person who is on the premises of a |
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facility or who is entering the Tribe's Indian lands for the purpose |
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of playing a covered game authorized by this compact. |
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M. "Rules" means rules adopted by the commission to |
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implement this compact. |
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N. "State" means the State of Texas. |
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O. "State compliance agency" ("SCA") means the office |
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of the Secretary of State or another agency authorized by the |
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legislature to carry out the State's oversight responsibilities |
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under this compact. |
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P. "Tribe" means the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of |
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Texas. |
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Q. "Video lottery terminal" means an electronic game |
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of chance connected to a centralized computer system operated by |
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the Tribe. |
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PART IV. AUTHORIZATION AND LOCATION OF COVERED GAMES |
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The Tribe and State agree that the Tribe is authorized to |
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operate covered games on the Tribe's Indian lands, as defined in the |
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IGRA, in accordance with the provisions of this compact. |
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PART V. RULES; MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS |
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A. During the term of this compact, the Tribe is responsible |
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for all duties assigned to the Tribe and the commission under this |
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compact. The Tribe shall adopt any rules necessary to implement |
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this compact. Nothing in this compact may be construed to affect |
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the Tribe's right to amend the Tribe's rules, provided the amendment |
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is in conformity with this compact. The SCA may propose to the |
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commission additional rules consistent with the implementation of |
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this compact, and the commission shall in good faith consider the |
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proposal and notify the SCA of the Tribe's response or action in |
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regard to the proposal. |
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B. All facilities must comply with and all covered games |
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must be operated in accordance with this compact. All facilities |
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must be operated in strict compliance with tribal internal control |
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standards that must provide a level of control that equals or |
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exceeds the standards for Class III gaming recommended by the |
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National Indian Gaming Commission on August 14, 2018, as such |
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standards may be updated from time-to-time. |
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C. The Tribe agrees to maintain the following safeguards |
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against problem gambling: |
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1. The Tribe will provide a comprehensive training |
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program to all gaming employees. |
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2. The Tribe will make available to patrons printed |
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materials that include contact information for organizations |
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dedicated to assisting problem gamblers. |
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3. The commission shall establish a list of the |
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patrons voluntarily excluded from the Tribe's facilities under Part |
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V.C.5 of this compact. |
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4. The Tribe shall employ its best efforts to exclude |
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patrons on the list maintained under Part V.C.3 of this compact. |
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This compact does not create a cause of action against the State, |
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the Tribe, the commission, or any other person, entity, or agency |
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for failing to exclude a patron on the list established under Part |
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V.C.3 of this compact. |
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5. A patron who believes the patron may be playing a |
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covered game on a compulsive basis may request that the patron's |
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name be placed on the list of patrons voluntarily excluded from the |
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Tribe's facilities. |
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6. All covered game employees who interact with |
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patrons shall receive training to identify a patron who may have a |
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problem with compulsive gambling and instruct the patron to leave. |
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Signs bearing a toll-free help line number and educational and |
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informational materials must be made available at conspicuous |
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locations and ATMs in each facility. The signs must be designed in |
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a manner that is aimed at preventing problem gaming and that |
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specifies where patrons may receive counseling or assistance for |
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gambling problems. Nothing in this part of this compact creates a |
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cause of action or claim against the State, the Tribe, the |
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commission, or any other person, entity, or agency for failing to |
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identify a patron or person who is a compulsive gambler or asking |
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that person to leave. |
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7. The Tribe shall make diligent efforts to prevent an |
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underage individual from loitering in the area of each facility |
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where a covered game is conducted. |
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8. The Tribe shall assure that advertising and |
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marketing of the covered games at the facilities contain a |
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responsible gambling message and a toll-free help line number for |
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problem gamblers where practical and that the advertising and |
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marketing messages do not make any false or misleading claims. |
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D. The State may secure an annual independent financial |
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audit of the conduct of covered games subject to this compact. The |
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audit must examine revenues from the conduct of a covered game and |
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must verify the determination of net win and the basis of, and right |
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to, the payments made to the State pursuant to Part XI of this |
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compact and as defined by this compact. A copy of the audit report |
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for the conduct of a covered game must be submitted to the |
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commission not later than the 30th day after the date an audit is |
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completed. A representative of the SCA may, on request, meet with |
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the Tribe and the Tribe's auditors to discuss an audit or matter in |
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connection with the audit, provided the discussions are limited to |
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covered games information. The annual independent financial audit |
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must be performed by an independent accounting firm with experience |
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in auditing casino operations, selected by the State and subject to |
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the Tribe's consent, which may not be unreasonably withheld. The |
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Tribe shall pay the accounting firm for the costs of the annual |
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independent financial audit if the Tribe is found not to be in |
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compliance with this compact. |
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E. A summary of the rules for playing covered games must be |
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displayed in a facility. A complete set of rules must be available |
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at a facility and provided to a patron on request. A copy of the |
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rules must be provided to the SCA not later than the 30th day after |
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the date the rules are issued or amended. |
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F. The Tribe shall provide the commission and SCA with a |
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chart of the supervisory authority of individuals directly |
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responsible for the conduct of covered games, and shall promptly |
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notify the commission and the SCA of any material change to the |
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supervisory authority. |
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G. The Tribe shall continue to maintain a proactive approach |
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to prevent improper alcohol sales, drunk driving, underage |
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drinking, and underage gambling that involves extensive staff |
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training and certification, patron education, and the use of |
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security personnel and surveillance equipment to enhance patrons' |
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enjoyment of the facilities and provide for patron safety. Staff |
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training must include specialized employee training in nonviolent |
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crisis intervention, driver's license verification, and the |
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detection of intoxication. Patron education may be accomplished by |
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printing a notice on a valet parking stub, posting a sign in the |
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facilities, and publishing brochures. The facilities must have |
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roving and fixed security officers, along with surveillance |
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cameras, to assist in the detection of intoxicated patrons, |
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investigate problems, and engage patrons to de-escalate volatile |
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situations. This part of this compact does not create a cause of |
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action or claim against the State, the Tribe, the commission, or any |
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other person, entity, or agency for failing to fulfill a |
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requirement of this part. |
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H. A person under 21 years of age may not play a covered game |
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unless state law authorizes the play of the same or similar games by |
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persons under 21 years of age at locations under the state's |
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jurisdiction. |
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I. The Tribe and the commission shall make available a copy |
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of the following documents to any member of the public on request: |
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1. the Tribal gaming ordinance; |
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2. this compact; |
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3. the rules of each covered game operated by the |
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Tribe; and |
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4. the administrative procedures for addressing |
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patron tort claims under Part VI of this compact. |
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PART VI. PATRON DISPUTES; TORT CLAIMS; PRIZE CLAIMS; LIMITED |
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CONSENT TO SUIT |
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A. All Patron disputes shall be resolved under the procedures |
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established by the Tribe's Gaming Ordinance and such remedies |
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must be exhausted. |
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B. If a Patron is not satisfied with the outcome of a tort claim |
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the Patron submitted under the procedures established by the |
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Tribe's Gaming Ordinance, that Patron may pursue a tort claim |
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in Maverick County District Court for personal injury or |
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property damage against the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino |
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arising out of an incident occurring at a facility. For said |
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tort claims brought in Maverick County District Court pursuant |
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to this Section against the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino, the |
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Tribe agrees to waive its Tribal sovereign immunity to the same |
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extent as the State waives its sovereign immunity, as specified |
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in sections 101.023(a) and 101.025(a), Texas Civil Practice |
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and Remedies Code, as such provision may be amended from |
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time-to-time by the Texas Legislature. The Tribe and its |
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insurance carrier are prohibited from invoking Tribal |
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sovereign immunity for tort claims up to the limits to which |
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the State has waived sovereign immunity as set forth in section |
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101.023(a), Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, as such |
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provision may be amended from time-to-time by the Texas |
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Legislature, provided that the provision remains the same for |
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State agencies as for the Tribe, but the Tribe and its |
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insurance carrier are permitted to assert any available |
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statutory or common law defense for tort claims of Patrons made |
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pursuant to this Section. |
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C. In no event, however, shall the Tribe be deemed to have waived |
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its Tribal immunity from suit beyond the limits set forth in |
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section 101.023(a), Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. |
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These limitations are intended to include liability for |
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compensatory damages, costs, pre-judgment interest, punitive |
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damages, and attorney fees if otherwise allowable under State |
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law arising out of any tort claim brought or asserted against |
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the Tribe, its subordinate governmental and economic units, |
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any Tribal officials, employees, servants, or agents in their |
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official capacities and any entity which is owned, directly or |
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indirectly by the Tribe. |
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D. All Patron tort claims brought pursuant to this provision |
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shall be brought solely against the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle |
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Casino, an economic entity owned by a federally-recognized |
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Indian tribe, as the sole party in interest. |
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E. The Tribe shall ensure that patrons of a facility are afforded |
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due process in seeking and receiving just and reasonable |
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compensation arising from a patron's dispute, in connection |
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with the patron's play of a covered game, the amount of a prize |
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that has been awarded, the failure to award a prize, or the |
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right to receive a refund. Such patron disputes shall be |
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resolved under the procedures established by the Tribe's |
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Gaming Ordinance. |
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PART VII. ENFORCEMENT OF COMPACT PROVISIONS |
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A. The Tribe and the commission are responsible for |
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regulating activities under this compact. The Tribe shall adopt or |
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issue standards designed to ensure that the facilities are |
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constructed, operated, and maintained to adequately protect the |
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environment and public health and safety. |
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B. A commission compliance officer shall be available to a |
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facility during operation on reasonable notice and shall have |
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immediate and complete access to a facility to ensure compliance |
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with this compact. The commission shall investigate a suspected or |
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reported violation of this part of this compact and shall timely |
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file an official written report of the investigation and action |
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taken on the violation, and shall send a copy of the investigative |
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report to the SCA not later than the 30th day after the date the |
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commission files the report. The scope of the report must be |
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determined by a memorandum of understanding between the commission |
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and the SCA as soon as practicable after the effective date of this |
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compact. A violation must be reported immediately to the |
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commission, and the commission shall immediately forward the |
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violation to the SCA. In addition, the commission shall promptly |
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report to the SCA a violation which the commission independently |
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discovers. |
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C. Representatives of the commission and the SCA shall meet |
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at least once each year to review past practices and examine methods |
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to improve the regulatory scheme created by this compact. The |
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meetings shall take place at a location agreed to by the commission |
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and the SCA. The SCA, before or during a meeting, shall disclose to |
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the commission any concerns, suspected activities, or pending |
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matters reasonably believed to constitute a violation of this |
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compact by any person, organization, or entity, if the disclosure |
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will not compromise the interest sought to be protected. |
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PART VIII. STATE MONITORING OF COMPACT |
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A. The SCA may, under this compact, monitor the conduct of a |
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covered game to ensure that a covered game is conducted in |
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compliance with this compact. In order to properly monitor the |
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conduct of a covered game, an agent of the SCA may have, without |
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prior notice, reasonable access to all public areas of a facility |
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where a covered game is conducted under this compact. An SCA agent |
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must report to a commission officer immediately on arrival at the |
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facility. An SCA agent may not enter a nonpublic area of a facility |
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without giving the commission notice of the agent's arrival 24 |
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hours before the hour of the agent's arrival and, on arrival, |
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providing proper photographic identification. A commission |
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officer shall accompany an SCA agent in a nonpublic area of a |
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facility. |
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B. Subject to this compact, an SCA agent has the right to |
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review and request a copy of a document of the facility related to |
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the conduct of a covered game. The review and copying of the |
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document must be during normal business hours unless otherwise |
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allowed by the Tribe at the Tribe's discretion. The Tribe may not |
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refuse an inspection or request to copy a document, provided that an |
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agent cannot require copies of documents in a volume that |
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unreasonably interferes with the normal functioning of the facility |
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or a covered game. |
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C. After an SCA inspection or investigation, the SCA shall |
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send to the commission a written report of the inspection or |
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investigation that contains all pertinent, nonconfidential, |
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nonproprietary information about a violation of an applicable law |
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or this compact discovered during an inspection or investigation |
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unless disclosure of the information would adversely affect an |
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investigation of suspected criminal activity. This compact does |
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not prevent the SCA from contacting a tribal or federal law |
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enforcement authority about suspected criminal wrongdoing |
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involving the commission. |
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D. This compact does not authorize the State to regulate the |
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Tribe's government or the commission or to interfere with the |
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Tribe's selection of the Tribe's governmental officers or members |
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of the commission. |
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PART IX. JURISDICTION |
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The obligations and rights of the State and the Tribe under |
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this compact are contractual in nature, and this compact does not |
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alter tribal, federal, or state civil or criminal jurisdiction. |
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PART X. LICENSING |
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The Tribe and the commission shall comply with the licensing |
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and hearing requirements in 25 C.F.R. Part 556 and Part 558 and |
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applicable licensing requirements in the Tribe's Gaming Ordinance. |
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PART XI. PAYMENTS TO THE STATE OF TEXAS |
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A. The parties acknowledge and recognize that this compact |
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provides the Tribe with substantial exclusivity and, consistent |
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with the goals of the IGRA, special opportunities for tribal |
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economic opportunity through covered gaming activity in the State. |
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In consideration of the substantial exclusivity, only while the |
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State does not, after January 1, 2021, authorize or allow the |
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operation of any additional form of gaming, including slot |
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machines, video lottery terminals, video pull-tab games, |
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electronic bingo, sports betting, banked and banking card games, or |
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another type of table gaming game, within 200 nautical miles of the |
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boundary of the Tribe's reservation, the Tribe agrees to pay the |
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State a percentage of the revenue derived from covered game |
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revenues in an amount equal to three percent of the net win received |
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by the Tribe in a calendar year from the play of Class III covered |
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games. The amount is due and payable not later than the 20th day |
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after the last date of the preceding quarter for the revenue |
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received by the Tribe in the preceding quarter. |
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B. Payment of revenue due under Part XI.A of this compact |
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must be made to the comptroller of public accounts of the State. |
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Nothing in this compact allocates the revenue to a particular State |
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purpose, including regulatory responsibilities under this compact. |
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C. This compact does not authorize the State to impose any |
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tax, fee, charge, or assessment on the Tribe or an enterprise of the |
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Tribe. |
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PART XII. DISPUTE RESOLUTION |
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A dispute under this compact, including a dispute over |
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compliance with or the interpretation of the terms of this compact, |
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must be resolved amicably and voluntarily when possible. In |
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pursuit of this goal, the following procedures may be invoked: |
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A. A party asserting noncompliance or seeking an |
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interpretation of this compact first shall serve written notice on |
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the other party. The notice must identify the provision alleged to |
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have been violated or in dispute and must specify in detail the |
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factual basis for the claim. Representatives of the Tribe and State |
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shall meet in an effort to resolve the dispute not later than the |
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30th day after the date of receipt of notice unless the parties |
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agree to extend the time. |
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B. A party asserting noncompliance or seeking an |
|
interpretation of this compact is considered to have certified that |
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to the best of the party's knowledge, information, and belief, |
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formed after reasonable inquiry, the claim of noncompliance or the |
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request for interpretation of this compact is warranted and made in |
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good faith and not for any improper purpose, such as to harass or to |
|
cause unnecessary delay or expense to resolve the dispute. |
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C. If the parties are unable to resolve a dispute |
|
through the process specified in Part XII.A of this compact, either |
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party can call for mediation under the Commercial Mediation Rules |
|
and Procedures of the American Arbitration Association (AAA) or any |
|
such successor procedures, provided that the mediation does not |
|
last more than 15 calendar days unless the parties agree to an |
|
extension to this time limit. Mediation is only available for |
|
resolving disputes over matters arising under this compact. |
|
D. If the parties are unable to resolve a dispute |
|
through the process under Parts XII.A and XII.C of this compact, |
|
notwithstanding any other provision of law, the State or Tribe may |
|
bring an action in federal district court ("federal court") |
|
regarding any dispute arising under this compact in a district in |
|
which the federal court has venue. If the federal court declines to |
|
exercise jurisdiction, or federal precedent exists that rules that |
|
the federal court does not have jurisdiction over the dispute, the |
|
State or the Tribe may bring the action in state court. The State |
|
and the Tribe are entitled to all rights of appeal permitted by law |
|
in the court system in which the action is brought. |
|
E. For purposes of an action based solely on a dispute |
|
between the State and the Tribe that arises under this compact and |
|
the enforcement of any judgment resulting from the action, the |
|
State and the Tribe expressly waive the right to assert sovereign |
|
immunity from suit and from enforcement of any judgment, and |
|
consent to be sued in all levels of federal or state court, provided |
|
that: |
|
1. the dispute is limited solely to issues |
|
arising under this compact; |
|
2. the action does not include a claim for |
|
monetary damages, other than payment of any money required by the |
|
terms of this compact, and injunctive relief or specific |
|
performance enforcing a provision of this compact requiring the |
|
payment of money to the State may be sought; and |
|
3. nothing in this compact may be construed to |
|
constitute a waiver of the sovereign immunity of the State or the |
|
Tribe with respect to a third party that is made a party or |
|
intervenes as a party in an action. |
|
F. In the event that intervention, joinder, or other |
|
participation by a third party in any action between the State and |
|
the Tribe would result in the waiver of the State's or the Tribe's |
|
sovereign immunity to the third party's claim, the waiver of the |
|
State or the Tribe under this compact may be revoked. |
|
G. The State may pursue any mediation or judicial |
|
remedy against the Tribe if the State failed to exhaust Tribal |
|
administrative remedies. |
|
H. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this |
|
part of this compact, the Tribe's failure to remit a payment under |
|
this compact entitles the State to seek injunctive relief in |
|
federal or state court, at the State's sole discretion, to compel |
|
the payments after exhausting the dispute resolution process in |
|
this part of this compact. |
|
PART XIII. CONSTRUCTION OF COMPACT; SEVERANCE; FEDERAL APPROVAL |
|
A. Each provision, section, and subsection of this compact |
|
shall stand separate and independent of every other provision. If a |
|
federal district court in Texas or other court of competent |
|
jurisdiction finds a provision of this compact to be invalid, the |
|
remaining provisions of this compact remain in full force and |
|
effect, provided that severing the invalidated provision does not |
|
undermine the overall intent of the parties in entering into this |
|
compact. |
|
B. This compact is intended to meet the requirements of the |
|
IGRA on the effective date of this compact, and where reference is |
|
made to the IGRA, or to an implementing regulation of the IGRA, the |
|
reference is considered to be incorporated into this document as if |
|
set in full. Changes to the IGRA after the effective date of this |
|
compact that diminish the rights of the State or Tribe may not be |
|
applied to alter the terms of this compact, except to the extent |
|
that federal law mandates that retroactive application without the |
|
respective consent of the State or Tribe. |
|
C. The presence or absence of language in this compact that |
|
is present in or absent from another compact between a state and |
|
another Indian tribe may not be a factor in construing the terms of |
|
this compact. |
|
D. Each party shall defend the validity of this compact. |
|
E. On execution of this compact, the Tribe shall submit the |
|
compact to the United States Secretary of the Interior, and the |
|
parties shall cooperate in seeking the Secretary's approval of this |
|
compact. |
|
F. Nothing in this compact may be construed to limit, |
|
restrict, or regulate the Tribe's right to offer Class I and Class |
|
II gaming as authorized under the IGRA. |
|
PART XIV. NOTICES |
|
A notice required under this compact must be given by |
|
certified mail, return receipt requested, commercial overnight |
|
courier service, or personal delivery, to: |
|
Governor |
|
State of Texas |
|
State Insurance Building |
|
1100 San Jacinto |
|
Austin, TX 78701 |
|
Chairman - Tribal Council |
|
Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas |
|
2212 Rosita Valley Road |
|
Eagle Pass, TX 78852 |
|
With copies to the general counsel for each party. |
|
PART XV. EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM |
|
A. This compact is effective on approval either by the |
|
United States Secretary of the Interior as a tribal-state compact |
|
under the IGRA or by operation of law and on publication of the |
|
notice of approval in the Federal Register. |
|
B. This compact has a term of 25 years beginning on the day |
|
the compact becomes effective under Part XV.A of this compact. This |
|
compact remains in full force and effect until the earlier of the |
|
25th anniversary of the day the compact becomes effective or until |
|
terminated by agreement of the parties. If either the State or the |
|
Tribe wishes to extend the term of this compact, the party shall |
|
notify the other at least 18 months before the date that this |
|
compact will expire. The parties shall begin negotiations at least |
|
12 months before the term expires. |
|
PART XVI. AMENDMENT OF COMPACT |
|
Amendment of this compact may only be made by written |
|
agreement of the parties, subject to approval either by the United |
|
States Secretary of the Interior or by operation of law and is |
|
effective on publication of the notice of approval in the Federal |
|
Register. |
|
PART XVII. MISCELLANEOUS |
|
A. Except to the extent expressly provided in this compact, |
|
this compact does not create a right for a third party to bring an |
|
action to enforce a term of this compact. |
|
B. Nothing in this compact shall alter any existing |
|
memoranda of understanding, contracts, or other agreements entered |
|
into between the Tribe and any other federal, state, or local |
|
governmental entity. |
|
PART XVIII. EXECUTION |
|
The chairman of the Tribal Council of the Kickapoo |
|
Traditional Tribe of Texas affirms that the chairman is duly |
|
authorized and has the authority to execute this compact on behalf |
|
of the Tribe. The chairman also affirms that the chairman will take |
|
all appropriate steps to effectuate the purposes and intent of this |
|
compact. |
|
(d) The Secretary of State may adopt rules necessary for |
|
this state to carry out its responsibilities under this section |
|
unless the Legislature enacts laws authorizing another state agency |
|
to administer this section. The rules may not apply to the Tribe. |
|
(e) All shipments of gaming equipment or other gaming |
|
devices into, out of, or within this state authorized under this |
|
section or a law enacted under this section are legal shipments of |
|
the devices and are exempt from the provisions of 15 U.S.C. Sections |
|
1171-1178 prohibiting the transportation of gambling devices. |
|
SECTION 3. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be |
|
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 2, 2021. |
|
The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the |
|
proposition: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the |
|
Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas to conduct gaming by executing |
|
a gaming agreement with this state." |