AB 1579: Tribal gaming: compact ratification.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing federal law, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, provides for the negotiation and execution of tribal-state gaming compacts for the purpose of authorizing certain types of gaming on Indian lands within a state. The California Constitution authorizes the Governor to negotiate and conclude tribal-state gaming compacts, subject to ratification by the Legislature. Existing law expressly ratifies a number of tribal-state gaming compacts, and amendments of tribal-state gaming compacts, between the State of California and specified Indian tribes.

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires a lead agency to prepare, or cause to be prepared, and certify the completion of, an environmental impact report on a project, as defined, that it proposes to carry out or approve that may have a significant effect on the environment, as defined, or to adopt a negative declaration if it finds that the project will not have that effect.

This bill would ratify the amendment to the tribal-state gaming compact entered into between the State of California and the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation executed on June 23, 2026. The bill would provide that, in deference to tribal sovereignty, certain actions related to that amended compact are not projects for purposes of CEQA.

This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. August 31, 2026Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 166, Statutes of 2026.
2. August 31, 2026Approved by the Governor.
3. August 27, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.
4. August 20, 2026Action rescinded whereby the bill was re-referred to Com. on G.O. pursuant to Assembly Rule 77.2.
5. August 20, 2026Urgency clause adopted. Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 75. Noes 0. Page 6314.).
6. August 20, 2026Ordered to the unfinished business file.
7. August 20, 2026Re-referred to Com. on G.O. pursuant to Assembly Rule 77.2.
8. August 19, 2026In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
9. August 19, 2026Read third time. Urgency clause adopted. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 37. Noes 0.).
10. August 12, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
11. August 11, 2026Ordered to second reading.
12. August 11, 2026Withdrawn from committee.