Bill Overview
Title: Agua Caliente Land Exchange Fee to Trust Confirmation Act
Description: This act takes approximately 2,560 acres of specified lands in California into trust for the benefit of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Lands taken into trust shall be part of the tribe's reservation. Further, the act prohibits gaming on the land taken into trust.
Sponsors: Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-36]
Target Audience
Population: Members of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians
Estimated Size: 480
- The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians currently holds about 32,000 acres of reservation land.
- Adding approximately 2,560 acres will directly impact the tribe by increasing their land holdings by about 8%.
- We estimate there are approximately 480 members of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians based on recent reports.
- The land is located in California, specifically in areas close to present Agua Caliente reservations around Palm Springs.
- Taking land into trust for tribes often involves transferring control from state to federal jurisdiction, impacting local governance and potentially economic development strategies.
- Prohibiting gaming may affect economic opportunities typically available to tribes when new lands are taken into trust, potentially limiting revenue streams.
Reasoning
- The Aguacaliente Land Exchange Fee to Trust Confirmation Act affects primarily the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians by increasing their land holdings, albeit restricting gaming activities on it. The tribe will benefit in terms of cultural and ecological conservation, but the lack of gaming might limit economic development opportunities.
- Considering the tribe's size, the average impact of this bill might not be financially significant given its constraints, but the cultural implications could hold importance. Owing to the budget limits, the primary benefits will be longer-term or intangible, rather than immediate monetary benefits.
- There will be little to no impact on non-tribal members, except for potential changes in local governance and land use.
- It's important to incorporate voices from members of the tribe who have varying opinions about land management, cultural preservation, and economic development, as well as non-members living nearby who might have opinions on governance and resource management.
Simulated Interviews
Tribal Council Member (Palm Springs, CA)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This expansion of reservation lands is crucial for us. It's not just about having more land; it's about protecting our culture and heritage.
- Even though gaming isn't allowed on these lands, it opens up possibilities for ecological tourism, which aligns with our values.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 8 |
Environmental Consultant (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This trust addition is a win for conservation efforts. It allows the tribe to manage the land sustainably, protecting native flora and fauna.
- Without gaming, the environmental impact will be lessened, leading to healthier ecosystems.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Tourism Operator (Indio, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might open new avenues in eco-tourism for the area, which I could benefit from indirectly.
- I'm concerned about regulations changing with land being federally managed, impacting my operations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Local Business Owner (Palm Desert, CA)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The additional lands under trust could mean less local tax revenue, affecting public services I rely on.
- This might slow economic growth but, if handled well, could increase foot traffic from eco-tourism.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Policy Analyst (New York, NY)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see this as a step forward in recognizing indigenous rights, though it's a shame economic opportunities like gaming are off the table.
- This policy could set a precedent for more such moves nationwide.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Local Government Official (Riverside, CA)
Age: 43 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The shift of these lands to federal trust might complicate local revenue streams but is overall positive for tribal self-governance.
- The restriction on gaming is likely to impact financial inflows.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Agua Caliente Band Member (not on council) (Palm Springs, CA)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am excited about the potential for cultural development and preservation with the new lands.
- While I understand why gaming is restricted, it does limit financial opportunities for us youth.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 9 |
Economist (San Diego, CA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The economic impact could be minimal given no gaming revenue, but long-term cultural and environmental benefits are significant.
- It will be interesting to see how the tribe capitalizes on non-gaming opportunities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Academic Researcher (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 47 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The reverberations of this policy might influence similar legislative acts aiming to expand tribal lands across the US.
- Federally administered lands often adjust legal frameworks, and this is a crucial test of flexibility.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired Former Teacher (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 72 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I value the emphasis on education and cultural enrichment these lands can bring. It could enhance learning environments for future generations.
- The potential for increased scholarship in environmental sciences and technologies is immense.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2000000 (Low: $1500000, High: $2500000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The clear prohibition of gaming on the new lands reduces potential conflicts and saves regulatory complexities and costs.
- The conversion of land status may impact local economic development initiatives.
- Impact on tax revenue streams and local government budgets must be assessed with state and local partners.