HJR66 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Thomas JacksonRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Governor urged to enter into good faith negotiations with Poarch Band of Creek Indians to develop a Tribal-State Compact concerning Class III gaming

Summary

The bill urges the Governor to negotiate a Tribal-State Compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to allow Class III gaming in Alabama to fund the state General Fund.

What This Bill Does

It formally asks the Governor to enter good faith negotiations with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to create a Compact governing Class III gaming in Alabama. It suggests such a compact would generate revenue for Alabama's General Fund and help control the spread of Class III gaming, while acknowledging federal rules that income from tribal gaming benefits the tribe.

Who It Affects

• State of Alabama and its General Fund would receive revenue from tribal gaming under the compact
• Poarch Band of Creek Indians as the sovereign tribe that would negotiate and potentially operate Class III gaming under the compact

Key Provisions

• Poarch Band of Creek Indians is the only federally recognized tribe in Alabama and is a sovereign nation
• Under federal law, the Poarch Band may conduct Class III gaming on Indian land without action by the Alabama Legislature
• The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act requires the Governor to negotiate in good faith to establish a Tribal-State Compact for Class III gaming in Alabama
• The compact is expected to generate revenue for Alabama's General Fund and help limit the proliferation of Class III gaming in the state
• Federal law requires income from Poarch Band Class III gaming to be used for the tribe's benefit and welfare; the resolution seeks a structure where Alabama receives a fair and equitable share of revenues for the state's General Fund

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Resolutions, Legislative