0001| HOUSE FLOOR SUBSTITUTE FOR
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0002| HOUSE MEMORIAL 2
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0003| 42ND LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SPECIAL
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0004| SESSION, 1996
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0005| RAYMOND G. SANCHEZ
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0008|
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0009|
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0010|
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0011|
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0012| A MEMORIAL
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0013| REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO APPOINT A NONPARTISAN COMMISSION TO
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0014| REVIEW SOVEREIGNTY ISSUES AND CONCOMITANTLY INVESTIGATE AND
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0015| RECOMMEND A DIRECTION FOR GAMING FOR THE FUTURE OF NEW MEXICO.
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0016|
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0017| WHEREAS, various issues have arisen that raise questions
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0018| regarding the authority of the state to regulate the activities
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0019| of or impose taxes on tribal governments; and
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0020| WHEREAS, tribal gaming and other issues affecting tribal
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0021| and state sovereignty are issues of vital importance to all New
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0022| Mexicans, regardless of ethnic and cultural differences; and
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0023| WHEREAS, various governments and organizations have
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0024| indicated a need for additional revenue for economic development
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0025| and for assistance for their communities; and
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0001| WHEREAS, tribal gaming provides economic development for
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0002| Indian nations, tribes and pueblos, but is now in operation in
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0003| New Mexico without clear direction and regulation; and
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0004| WHEREAS, the potential for added revenue to New Mexico from
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0005| gaming could benefit the people of the state, but the economic,
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0006| fiscal, environmental and social impact of gaming on the state
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0007| has not been thoroughly researched or studied; and
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0008| WHEREAS, the debates over these issues have been
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0009| acrimonious and divisive, causing lasting damage to the
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0010| harmonious relations among different interests and governing
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0011| authorities, and this divisiveness is detrimental to the state's
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0012| welfare; and
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0013| WHEREAS, the citizens of New Mexico would like a clear
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0014| understanding of sovereignty and a resolution to the questions
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0015| involving gaming in New Mexico; and
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0016| WHEREAS, there are currently several gaming cases pending,
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0017| resulting in extensive economic expense; and
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0018| WHEREAS, the governor has supported gaming in a manner that
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0019| is unclear and without adequate public input on the issue of
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0020| gaming in New Mexico; and
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0021| WHEREAS, because tribal sovereignty issues are often
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0022| misunderstood and the related impact of gaming, both Indian and
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0023| non-Indian, needs additional study, a nonpartisan commission
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0024| would assist in making all citizens of the state more cognizant
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0025| of the issues related to sovereignty;
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0001| NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF
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0002| REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the governor be
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0003| requested to appoint a nonpartisan commission comprised of
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0004| legislators, Native Americans, representatives of organizations and
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0005| individuals involved in gaming, the racing industry, anti-gaming
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0006| participants and the public-at-large to review tribal sovereignty
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0007| issues and also to investigate and recommend a direction for gaming
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0008| in the future of New Mexico; and
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0009| BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor, in making his
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0010| appointments, ensure that all interests are adequately represented
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0011| and that there is a fair and equitable balance between the
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0012| competing pro-gaming and anti-gaming interests.
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0013| BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission prepare a report
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0014| to be submitted to the legislature no later than December 31, 1996;
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0015| and
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0016| BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be
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0017| transmitted to the governor.
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0018|
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