Bill Overview
Title: Agua Caliente Land Exchange Fee to Trust Confirmation Act
Description: This bill 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 bill prohibits gaming on the land taken into trust.
Sponsors: Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
Target Audience
Population: Members of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians
Estimated Size: 500
- The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians will directly benefit as they gain approximately 2,560 acres of land taken into trust for their use.
- Lands taken into trust typically mean that they are no longer under state jurisdiction but are owned by the tribe and governed by tribal laws.
- The land in question becomes part of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians' reservation, potentially impacting their development plans and community projects.
- The prohibition on gaming on the land implies that economic activities related to casinos or similar establishments will not be developed on this land, which impacts the tribe's potential revenue streams.
Reasoning
- The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, being the primary beneficiary of the policy, are a small population segment, allowing a focus on individual impacts within their community.
- Since the policy prohibits gaming, the economic impact may be centered around other types of land development or resource usage, affecting community members' employment or lifestyle opportunities rather than casino revenues.
- Considering the current socioeconomic conditions of the Agua Caliente tribe, the increase in land may translate to cultural, environmental, or developmental benefits.
- The wider Californian population and outside stakeholders will see little impact, thus their simulated responses are expected to reflect that with mostly no change in wellbeing.
Simulated Interviews
Tribal Elder (Palm Springs, CA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This land trust increases our ability to manage resources.
- It is unfortunate that gaming is prohibited as it limits economic potential.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Teacher (Rancho Mirage, CA)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our students could benefit from increased resources or facilities due to the land.
- However, without gaming revenue, funding is uncertain.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Software Developer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's a positive step for tribal sovereignty.
- It doesn't affect me directly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Student (Palm Desert, CA)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful that this will provide opportunities to preserve natural resources.
- Without gaming, we need alternative income initiatives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Retired (Sacramento, CA)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am supportive of land being returned to tribes, seeing governance restored to rightful owners.
- It won't affect me directly, but it's the right thing.
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 |
Business Owner (Cahuilla, CA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Land into trust secures cultural sites and maybe new business avenues excluding gaming.
- Adapting without gaming revenue is challenging.
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 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Health Care Worker (Palm Springs, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's beneficial that the tribe gets more control over their land.
- Patients from the tribe might feel more secure.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Journalist (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 33 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Trust land developments are crucial for tribal autonomy.
- No gaming is a limitation, but conserves cultural integrity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Artist (Indio, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having land back helps reconnect with heritage.
- The ban on gaming means staying creative for alternatives.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Engineer (Salton City, CA)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is fair for the tribe, maintaining cultural landscapes is positive.
- Economic shifts due to no gaming need careful consideration.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $700000)
Year 2: $300000 (Low: $200000, High: $500000)
Year 3: $300000 (Low: $200000, High: $500000)
Year 5: $300000 (Low: $200000, High: $500000)
Year 10: $250000 (Low: $150000, High: $350000)
Year 100: $200000 (Low: $100000, High: $300000)
Key Considerations
- Minimal to non-existent federal budgetary impact expected.
- Prohibited gaming activities could affect potential tribe revenue but not federal tax revenues.
- Land trust management might require continued administrative oversight.
- Aligns with historical precedence of trust lands being exempt from state taxes and local jurisdiction.