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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0006|     
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0007|     
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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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