Tule River Indian Tribe of the Tule River Reservation; Amended and Restated Liquor Ordinance

Published date06 January 2020
Citation85 FR 524
Record Number2019-28443
SectionNotices
CourtIndian Affairs Bureau,Interior Department
Federal Register, Volume 85 Issue 3 (Monday, January 6, 2020)
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 3 (Monday, January 6, 2020)]
                [Notices]
                [Pages 524-529]
                From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
                [FR Doc No: 2019-28443]
                =======================================================================
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
                Bureau of Indian Affairs
                [120 A2100DD/AAKC001030/A0A501010.999900]
                Tule River Indian Tribe of the Tule River Reservation; Amended
                and Restated Liquor Ordinance
                AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.
                ACTION: Notice.
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                SUMMARY: This notice publishes the Tule River Indian Tribe of the Tule
                River Reservation's Amended and Restated Liquor Ordinance. The Liquor
                Ordinance regulates and controls the consumption, possession,
                manufacture, distribution, and sale of liquor within the Reservation.
                DATES: This ordinance shall take effect on February 5, 2020.
                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Harley Long, Tribal Government
                Officer, Pacific Regional Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 2800
                Cottage Way, Room W-2820 Sacramento, California 95825; telephone: (916)
                978-6000, fax: (916) 978-6099.
                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Act of August 15, 1953,
                Public Law 83-277, 67 Stat. 586, 18 U.S.C. 1161, as interpreted by the
                Supreme Court in Rice v. Rehner, 463 U.S. 713 (1983), the Secretary of
                the Interior shall certify and publish in the Federal
                [[Page 525]]
                Register notice of adopted liquor control ordinances for the purpose of
                regulating liquor transactions in Indian country. On April 29, 2019,
                the Tule River Indian Tribe of the Tule River Reservation duly adopted
                the Amended and Restated Liquor Ordinance. This Federal Register Notice
                comprehensively amends and supersedes the existing Tule River Indian
                Reservation Ordinance Legalizing the Introduction, Sale, or Possession
                of Intoxicants, which was published in the Federal Register on December
                30, 1970 (35 FR 19798), and repeals all previous ordinances regulating
                liquor within the Reservation, including the ordinance published in the
                Federal Register on April 9, 1954 (19 FR 2065).
                 This notice is published in accordance with the authority delegated
                by the Secretary of the Interior to the Assistant Secretary--Indian
                Affairs. I certify that the Tule River Indian Tribe of the Tule River
                Reservation duly adopted these amendments to the Tribe's Liquor
                Ordinance on April 29, 2019.
                 Dated: December 17, 2019.
                Tara Sweeney,
                Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
                 The Tule River Indian Tribe of the Tule River Reservation's Amended
                and Restated Liquor Ordinance shall read as follows:
                Ordinance No. 2019--
                Amended and Restated Liquor Ordinance
                Table of Contents
                I. Title
                II. Authority
                III. Scope
                IV. Purpose
                V. Findings
                VI. Definitions
                VII. Powers of Enforcement
                VIII. Sales of Liquor
                IX. Licensing
                X. Manufacture and Distribution
                XI. Prohibitions and Violations
                XII. Enforcement and Penalties
                XIII. Taxation
                XIV. Profits
                XV. Severability and Miscellaneous
                I. Title
                 This ordinance shall be known as the Amended and Restated Liquor
                Ordinance. The short title shall be ``Liquor Ordinance''.
                II. Authority
                 This Liquor Ordinance is enacted pursuant to the Act of August 15,
                1953 (Pub. L. 83-277, 67 Stat. 588, 18 U.S.C. 1161) and Article VI,
                Section 1(a) of the Constitution of the Tule River Indian Tribe (the
                ``Tribe''), in conformity with the laws of the State of California.
                III. Scope
                 A. This Liquor Ordinance shall apply to the full extent of the
                jurisdiction of the Tribe.
                 B. Compliance with this Liquor Ordinance is hereby made a condition
                of the use of any land or premises within the Reservation.
                 C. Any person who resides, conducts business, engages in a business
                transaction, receives benefits from the Tribe, acts under Tribal
                authority, or enters the Reservation shall be deemed to have consented
                to the following:
                 1. To be bound by the terms of this Liquor Ordinance;
                 2. To the exclusive jurisdiction of the Tribal Court and Tribal
                Court of Appeals for legal action arising under this Liquor Ordinance;
                and
                 3. To service of summons and process, and search and seizure, in
                conjunction with legal actions arising pursuant to this Liquor
                Ordinance.
                 D. No portion of this Liquor Ordinance shall be construed as
                contrary to Federal law or applicable California laws.
                IV. Purpose
                 The purpose of this Liquor Ordinance is to regulate and control the
                consumption, possession, manufacture, distribution and sale of liquor
                within the Reservation (as defined herein), and to permit the sale of
                liquor by Tribal Retailers, Existing Retailers and Retailers (each as
                defined herein) to promote the economic development of the Tribe. The
                enactment of this Liquor Ordinance will increase the ability of the
                Tribal government to control liquor sales and consumption within the
                Reservation and will provide an important source of revenue for the
                continued operation and strengthening of the Tribal government and the
                delivery of Tribal government services.
                 This Liquor Ordinance amends and restates the previous ordinance
                regulating liquor within the Reservation adopted November 7, 1970 and
                published in the Federal Register on December 30, 1970 at 35 FR 19798,
                and repeals all previous ordinances regulating liquor within the
                Reservation, including the ordinance published in the Federal Register
                on April 9, 1954 at 19 FR 2065.
                V. Findings
                 The Tribal Council finds as follows:
                 A. The consumption, possession, manufacture, distribution and sale
                of liquor in Indian Country are matters of particular concern to the
                Tribe and the United States. Consistent with the laws of the United
                States, the control of liquor within the Reservation remains subject to
                the legislative enactments of the Tribe in the exercise of its
                governmental powers over the Reservation.
                 B. Federal law permits the sale of liquor within the Reservation;
                provided the sale and possession of liquor is consistent with the laws
                of the State of California and pursuant to an Ordinance duly adopted by
                the Tribe (18 U.S.C. 1161).
                 C. The Tribal Council, as the governing body of the Tribe under
                Article III, Section 1 of the Constitution of the Tribe, desires to
                adopt this Liquor Ordinance to authorize and regulate the consumption,
                possession, manufacture, distribution and sale of liquor within the
                Reservation, as provided herein.
                VI. Definitions
                 As used in this Liquor Ordinance, the following words shall have
                the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
                 A. ``Alcohol'' means that substance known as ethyl alcohol,
                hydrated oxide of ethyl, or spirits of wine which is commonly produced
                by the fermentation or distillation of grain, starch, molasses, or
                sugar, or other substances including all dilutions of this substance.
                 B. ``Beer'' means any alcoholic beverage obtained by the
                fermentation of any infusion or decoction of barley, malt, hops, or any
                other similar product, or any combination thereof in water, and
                includes ale, porter, brown, stout, lager beer, small beer, and strong
                beer.
                 C. ``Existing Retailer'' means a person who, prior to the effective
                date of this Liquor Ordinance: (i) Is operating and continues to
                operate a retail business located within the Reservation; and (ii) has
                a license or permit (as applicable) issued by the California Department
                of Alcoholic Beverage Control for such Liquor sales.
                 D. ``Legal Age'' means the age set by the State of California at
                which it is legal to purchase, consume, or possess Liquor. At the time
                of the enactment of this Liquor Ordinance, the State of California sets
                the Legal Age at twenty-one (21). At such time, if any, the State of
                California sets the Legal Age below age twenty-one (21), the Tribal
                Council, in its sole discretion shall promulgate regulations to set the
                Legal Age within the Reservation; provided such Legal Age is at or
                above the age set by the State of California.
                 E. ``License'' means a license issued pursuant to this Liquor
                Ordinance for the Sale of Liquor.
                [[Page 526]]
                 F. ``Licensed Premises'' means the establishment in which Liquor is
                permitted to be retailed and consumed.
                 G. ``Liquor'' means the four varieties of liquor herein defined
                (Alcohol, Spirits, Wine and Beer), and all fermented spirituous,
                vinous, or malt liquor or combination thereof, and mixed liquor, or
                otherwise intoxicating; and every liquid or solid or semisolid or other
                substance, patented or not, containing Alcohol, Spirits, Wine or Beer.
                All drinks or drinkable liquids and all preparations or mixtures
                capable of human consumption and any liquid, semisolid, solid, or other
                substances, which contain more than one percent (1%) of Alcohol by
                weight shall be conclusively deemed to be intoxicating.
                 H. ``Person'' means any natural person or entity, including but not
                limited to corporations, partnerships and trusts.
                 I. ``Reservation'' means all lands under the jurisdiction and
                control of the Tule River Indian Tribe and its Tribal Council.
                 J. ``Retailer'' means a person who is authorized by the Tribe to
                sell Liquor at retail from a business located within the Reservation
                after the Effective Date of this Liquor Ordinance.
                 K. ``Sale'' and ``Sell'' means any exchange or barter; and also
                includes the selling, supplying or distributing by any means
                whatsoever, by any person to any person.
                 L. ``Spirits'' means any beverage which contains Alcohol obtained
                by distillation, including Wines exceeding seventeen percent (17%) of
                Alcohol by weight.
                 M. ``Tribal Court of Appeals'' means the Tribal Court of Appeals or
                any other entity explicitly designated by the Tribe to serve in that
                capacity for purposes of this Liquor Ordinance and as permitted under
                the Compact.
                 N. ``Tribal Court'' means the judicial branch of the Tribe and such
                other divisions as the Tribal Council may establish by provision.
                 O. ``Tribal Liquor Tax'' means the tax imposed as defined in
                Section XIII.A.
                 P. ``Tribal Retailer'' means a retailer wholly-owned by the Tribe
                and located within the Reservation who maintains a license or permit
                (as applicable) issued by the California Department of Alcoholic
                Beverage Control.
                 Q. ``Tribal'' and ``Tribe'' means the Tule River Indian Tribe of
                California, a federally recognized sovereign nation, including all
                incorporated and/or unincorporated Tribal governmental entities
                (including, without limitation, the Tribal Council, Gaming Commission,
                any economic development entities) and their officials, officers,
                managers, agents and employees.
                 R. ``Tule River Tribal Council'' or ``Tribal Council'' means the
                governing body of the Tribe.
                 S. ``Wine'' means any alcoholic beverage obtained by fermentation
                of fruits (grapes, berries, apples, etc.) or other agricultural product
                containing sugar to which any saccharine substances may have been added
                before, during or after fermentation, and containing not more than
                seventeen percent (17%) of Alcohol by weight, including sweet Wines
                fortified with wine spirits such as port, sherry, muscatel, and
                angelica, not exceeding seventeen percent (17%) of Alcohol by weight
                and sake (known as Japanese rice wine).
                VII. Powers of Enforcement
                 A. Powers. The Tribal Council, in furtherance of this Liquor
                Ordinance, shall have the following powers and duties:
                 1. To publish and enforce the rules and regulations governing the
                consumption, possession, manufacture, distribution and Sale of Liquor
                within the Reservation;
                 2. To employ managers, accountants, security personnel, inspectors,
                and such other persons as shall be reasonably necessary to allow the
                Tribal Council to perform its functions;
                 3. To authorize a representative to enforce this Liquor Ordinance;
                 4. To issue Licenses permitting the consumption, possession,
                manufacture, distribution and Sale of Liquor within the Reservation;
                 5. To revoke such Licenses as provided herein;
                 6. To issue Licenses permitting the Sale of Liquor within the
                Reservation;
                 7. To hold hearings on violations of this Liquor Ordinance
                (including the issuance or revocation of Licenses hereunder);
                 8. To bring suit in the appropriate court to enforce this Liquor
                Ordinance as necessary;
                 9. To determine and seek damages for violation of this Liquor
                Ordinance; and
                 10. To collect taxes and fees levied or set by the Tribal Council,
                and to keep accurate records, books and accounts.
                 B. Limitation on Powers. In the exercise of its powers and duties
                under this Liquor Ordinance, the Tribal Council and its individual
                members shall not accept any gratuity, compensation or any item of
                value from any Liquor wholesaler, retailer, or distributor or from any
                licensee.
                 C. Inspection Rights. The Tribal Council, acting through its
                officials, agents, employees or other designated representatives may,
                at all reasonable times, for the purposes of determining compliance
                with this Liquor Ordinance inspect the Licensed Premises.
                VIII. Sales of Liquor
                 A. Licenses Required. Only Tribal Retailers, Existing Retailers,
                and Retailers licensed by the Tribe, may Sell Liquor within the
                Reservation. For purposes of clarity, a Tribal Retailer and Existing
                Retailer only require the applicable license or permit issued by the
                California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to Sell Liquor
                within the Reservation.
                 B. Compliance with California Law. All Sales of Liquor within the
                Reservation must comply with California law applicable to Sales of
                Liquor within the Reservation and must be in compliance with the
                conditions of the license or permit (as applicable) issued by the
                California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for such Sales of
                Liquor.
                 C. No Extensions of Credit. No credit shall be extended to any
                person, organization, or entity, for the Sale of Liquor. This provision
                does not prevent the use of major credit cards in the Sale of Liquor.
                 D. Sale for Personal Consumption. All Sales shall be for the
                personal use and consumption of the purchaser. Resale of Liquor
                purchased within the Reservation is prohibited. Any person who is not
                licensed pursuant to this Liquor Ordinance and purchases Liquor within
                the Reservation and Sells it, whether in the original container or not,
                shall be guilty of a violation of this Liquor Ordinance and shall be
                subjected to paying damages to the Tribe as set forth herein.
                 E. Acceptable Identification. Where there may be a question of a
                person's right to purchase Liquor by reason of his/her age, such person
                shall be required to present any one of the following issued cards of
                identification which shows his/her correct age and bears his/her
                signature and photograph:
                 1. Tribal identification card;
                 2. Driver's license of any state or identification card issued by
                any State Department of Motor Vehicles;
                 3. United States active duty military or veteran identification
                cards; or
                 4. Passport.
                IX. Licensing
                A. Applicable License Requirements
                 1. Tribal Retailers. Tribal Retailers must obtain a license or
                permit (as applicable) from the California Department of Alcoholic
                Beverage Control in order to Sell Liquor within
                [[Page 527]]
                the Reservation, but shall not be required to obtain a License.
                 2. Existing Retailers. Existing Retailers must obtain a license or
                permit (as applicable) from the California Department of Alcoholic
                Beverage Control and an additional License from the Tribe in order to
                Sell Liquor within the Reservation. In order to obtain a License from
                the Tribe, the Existing Retailer must present their license or permit
                (as applicable) from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage
                Control to the Tribal Council, certify that he/she is continually
                operating such business in compliance with the conditions of such
                license or permit, and agree to comply with the requirements of this
                Liquor Ordinance and the conditions, if any, imposed on their License
                by the Tribal Council.
                 3. Retailers. In addition to a license or permit (as applicable)
                issued by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control,
                Retailers must obtain a License from the Tribe which shall be issued
                upon submittal of a sworn application filed with the Tribal Council
                containing a full and complete showing of the following:
                 a. Satisfactory proof that the applicant is or will be duly
                licensed by the State of California.
                 b. Satisfactory proof that the applicant is of good character and
                reputation among the people of the Reservation and that the applicant
                is financially responsible.
                 c. A description of the premises in which the Liquor is to be sold
                and proof that the applicant is the owner of such premises, or lessee
                of such premises, for the term of the License.
                 d. Agreement by the applicant to accept and abide by all conditions
                of the License.
                 e. Payment of a fee as prescribed by the Tribal Council.
                 f. Satisfactory proof that neither the applicant nor the
                applicant's spouse has ever been convicted of a felony.
                 g. Satisfactory proof that notice of the application has been
                posted in a prominent, noticeable place on the premises where Liquor is
                to be sold for at least thirty (30) days prior to consideration by the
                Tribal Council and has been published in the Tribal newsletter, email,
                or other print or online media directed to the Tribal community that
                may be affected by the License. The notice shall state the date, time,
                and place when the application shall be considered by the Tribal
                Council pursuant to Section B of this Article.
                 B. Hearing on Application for Tribal Liquor License. All
                applications for a License shall be considered by the Tribal Council in
                an open session at which the applicant, his/her attorney, and any
                person protesting the application shall have the right to be present,
                and to offer sworn oral or documentary evidence relevant to the
                application. After the hearing, the Tribal Council, by secret ballot,
                shall determine whether to grant or deny the application based on:
                 1. Whether the requirements of Section A of this Article have been
                met; and
                 2. Whether the Tribal Council, in its discretion, determines that
                granting the License is in the best interest of the Tribe.
                 In the event that the applicant is the immediate family of a Tribal
                Council member, such member shall not vote on the application or
                participate in the hearings as a Tribal Council member.
                 C. Special Events. Sales of Liquor at special events do not require
                a License, provided such Sales are conducted consistent with applicable
                California law (including obtaining a permit or authorization for such
                special event to the extent required) and do not exceed one (1) day.
                 D. Conditions of the Tribal License. Any License issued under this
                Liquor Ordinance shall be subject to such reasonable conditions as the
                Tribal Council shall impose, including, but not limited to the
                following:
                 1. The License shall be for a term not to exceed two (2) years and
                shall automatically renew upon the payment of annual fees, if any,
                established by the Tribal Council.
                 2. The Licensed Premises shall at all times be maintained in an
                orderly, clean, and neat manner.
                 3. The Licensed Premises shall be subject to patrol by the Tule
                River Department of Public Safety, and such other law enforcement
                officials as may be authorized under Federal, California, or Tribal
                law.
                 4. The Licensed Premises shall be open to inspection by duly
                authorized Tribal officials at all times during the regular business
                hours.
                 5. Subject to the provisions of Subsection D.6. of this Article, no
                Liquor shall be sold, served, disposed of, delivered, or given to any
                person, or consumed on the Licensed Premises except in conformity with
                the hours and days prescribed by the laws of the State of California,
                and in accordance with the hours fixed by the Tribal Council.
                 6. All acts and transactions under authority of a License shall be
                in conformity with the laws of the State of California, and shall be in
                accordance with this Liquor Ordinance and any conditions imposed on
                such License.
                 7. No person under the Legal Age permitted under the laws of the
                State of California shall be sold, served, delivered, given, or allowed
                to consume Liquor on the Licensed Premises.
                 8. There shall be no discrimination in the operations under the
                License by reason of race, age, disability, national origin, religion,
                or gender.
                 E. License Not a Property Right. Notwithstanding any other
                provision of this Liquor Ordinance, a License is a mere permit for a
                fixed duration of time. A License shall not be deemed a property right
                or vested right of any kind, nor shall the granting of a License give
                rise to a presumption of legal entitlement to the granting of such
                License for a subsequent time period.
                 F. Assignment or Transfer. No License issued under this Liquor
                Ordinance shall be assigned or transferred.
                X. Manufacture and Distribution
                 The Tribal Council has the authority to adopt rules and regulations
                to authorize the manufacture and distribution of Liquor within the
                Reservation. Until such time as the Tribal Council adopts such rules
                and regulations, the manufacture and distribution of Liquor for Sale is
                strictly prohibited.
                XI. Prohibitions and Violations
                 A. Sales or Possession With Intent to Sell Without a License. Any
                person who shall Sell or offer for Sale, distribute, manufacture, or
                transport in any manner, any Liquor in violation of this Liquor
                Ordinance, or who shall operate a business for the Sale of Liquor or
                shall have Liquor in his/her possession with intent to Sell or
                distribute without a License, shall be guilty of a violation of this
                Liquor Ordinance.
                 B. Purchases From Other Than Licensed Facilities. Any person within
                the boundaries of the Reservation who buys Liquor from any person other
                than at a properly Licensed Premises shall be guilty of a violation of
                this Liquor Ordinance.
                 C. Sales to Persons Under the Influence of Liquor. Any person who
                Sells Liquor to a person clearly under the influence of Liquor shall be
                guilty of a violation of this Liquor Ordinance.
                 D. Consuming Liquor in a Mode of Public or Private Transportation.
                Any person engaged wholly, or in part, in the business of carrying
                passengers for hire (including every agent, servant or employee) or
                such person who shall knowingly allow any person to drink Liquor in any
                mode of public or private transportation shall be guilty of a violation
                of this Liquor Ordinance. Any person who shall drink any Liquor in
                [[Page 528]]
                any mode of public or private transportation shall be guilty of a
                violation of this Liquor Ordinance.
                 E. Consumption or Possession of Liquor by Persons Under the Legal
                Age.
                 1. No person under the Legal Age shall purchase, possess or consume
                any Liquor within the Reservation. Any person violating this Subsection
                shall be guilty of a separate violation of this Liquor Ordinance for
                each and every drink so consumed.
                 2. Any person who shall Sell or provide Liquor to any person under
                the Legal Age shall be guilty of a violation of this Liquor Ordinance
                for each Sale or drink provided.
                 3. No person shall permit any other person under the Legal Age to
                consume Liquor on his/her premises or any premises under his/her
                control.
                 F. Transfer of Identification to Minor. Any person who provides, in
                any manner, a 21 years of age identification card (ID card) to a minor
                for the purpose of permitting such minor to obtain Liquor shall be
                guilty of an offense; provided, that corroborative testimony of a
                witness other than the minor shall be a requirement of finding a
                violation of this Liquor Ordinance.
                 G. Use of False or Altered Identification. Any person who attempts
                to purchase Liquor through the use of false or altered ID card, which
                falsely purports to show the individual to be of Legal Age shall be
                guilty of violating this Liquor Ordinance.
                XII. Enforcement and Penalties
                 A. Enforcement. In enforcing this Liquor Ordinance, the Tribal
                Council, acting on behalf of the Tribe, may take the following actions:
                 1. Publish and enforce such rules and regulations as deemed
                necessary by the Tribal Council to govern the distribution,
                manufacture, Sale, consumption and possession of Liquor within the
                Tribe's jurisdiction, including establishing and imposing civil
                penalties.
                 2. Revoke any License approved by the Tribal Council under this
                Liquor Ordinance, following a determination by the Tribal Council that
                the holder of said License has violated any provision of this Liquor
                Ordinance or that the License is no longer in the best interest of the
                Tribe. The Retailer or Existing Retailer shall be provided notice and
                an opportunity to be heard in any such revocation action.
                 3. Bring suit in the Tribal Court, or any other court of competent
                jurisdiction, to enforce this Liquor Ordinance.
                 4. Hold such hearings as the Tribal Council deems necessary to
                administer and enforce this Liquor Ordinance.
                 5. Delegate to the Tribal Court such authority as may be necessary
                to enforce the civil penalties arising under this Liquor Ordinance.
                Except as may otherwise be provided by applicable Federal and state
                law, the Tribal Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction to enforce this
                Liquor Ordinance.
                 6. Take all such actions within the Tribal Council's authority
                under the laws and Constitution of the Tribe in the enforcement of this
                Liquor Ordinance.
                 B. Judicial Enforcement. The Tribal Court is hereby vested with
                exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine all violations arising
                under this Liquor Ordinance, including the determination of any
                violation by any person of the provisions of this Liquor Ordinance and
                the imposition of any penalties arising from said violations.
                 C. Liquor Ordinance Violations. Unless otherwise provided for in a
                regulation adopted by the Tribal Council, any person guilty of a
                violation of this Liquor Ordinance shall be liable to pay the Tribe a
                penalty not to exceed $500 per violation as civil damages to defray the
                Tribe's cost of enforcement of this Liquor Ordinance. In addition to
                any penalties so imposed, the Tribal Council may, after a duly noticed
                hearing, suspend, cancel or revoke any License issued hereunder. The
                Tribal Council shall provide at least ten (10) days' notice of the
                hearing to the Retailer or Existing Retailer. The decision of the
                Tribal Council shall be final.
                 D. Declaratory and Injunctive Relief. In addition to all other
                remedies, whether in law or in equity, available to the Tribal Court
                under the Constitution and laws of the Tribe in the enforcement of this
                Liquor Ordinance, the Tribal Court may employ such declaratory and/or
                injunctive relief as may be necessary to determine the rights and
                liabilities arising under this Liquor Ordinance and to otherwise
                provide for enforcement of this Liquor Ordinance to the fullest extent
                possible under the Tribe's laws.
                 E. Possession of Liquor Contrary to This Liquor Ordinance.
                Possession of Liquor contrary to the terms of this Liquor Ordinance is
                considered to be contraband. Any Tribal agent, employee, or officer who
                is authorized by the Tribal Council to enforce this Section shall have
                the authority to, and shall seize, all contraband.
                 F. Disposition of Seized Contraband. Any contraband seized by an
                Officer shall be preserved in accordance with applicable law. Upon
                being found in violation of this Liquor Ordinance by the Tribal
                Council, the party shall forfeit all right, title and interest in the
                items seized which shall become the property of the Tribe.
                XIII. Taxation
                 A. Imposition of Tribal Liquor Tax. The Tribal Council, in its sole
                discretion, may impose a tax upon the privilege of Selling Alcohol
                within the Reservation pursuant to a duly adopted resolution (``Tribal
                Liquor Tax''). The tax rate imposed under this Liquor Ordinance shall
                be established by the Tribal Council and shall be no less than two
                percent (2%) and not exceed ten percent (10%) of the purchase price of
                the Liquor. Such Tribal Liquor Tax shall be applied in addition to any
                other taxes imposed by the Tribe.
                 B. Taxes Due, Reporting and Audit Deadline. Payment of any Tribal
                Liquor Tax shall be due within thirty (30) days of the end of the
                calendar quarter for which taxes are due, or such other date set by the
                Tribal Council. Along with the payment of the taxes imposed herein, the
                Tribal Council may request an accounting of all income from the Sale or
                distribution of Liquor, as well as for the taxes collected. At its
                discretion, The Tribal Council may review or audit the books and
                records of any Existing Retailer or Retailer relating to the Sale of
                Liquor within the Reservation. Said review or audit may be done
                annually by the Tribe through its agents or employees whenever, in the
                opinion of the Tribal Council, such a review or audit is necessary to
                verify the accuracy of reports.
                XIV. Profits
                 A. Disposition of Proceeds. The gross proceeds collected by the
                Tribal Council from all licensing fees and from the taxation of the
                Sales of Liquor within the Reservation shall be distributed as follows:
                 1. For the payment of all necessary personnel, administrative
                costs, and legal fees for the operation and its activities pursuant to
                this Liquor Ordinance.
                 2. The remainder shall be turned over to the account of the Tribe
                designated by the Tribal Council.
                XV. Severability and Miscellaneous
                 A. Severability. If any provision or application of this Liquor
                Ordinance is determined by review to be invalid, such adjudication
                shall not be held to render ineffectual the remaining portions of this
                title or to render such provisions inapplicable to other persons or
                circumstances.
                [[Page 529]]
                 B. Prior Enactments. This Liquor Ordinance repeals and supersedes
                all previous liquor ordinances enacted by the Tribe.
                 C. Conformance with California Laws. All acts and transactions
                under this Liquor Ordinance shall be in conformity with the laws of the
                State of California.
                 D. Effective Date. This Liquor Ordinance shall be effective on such
                date as the Secretary of the Interior certifies this Liquor Ordinance
                and publishes the same in the Federal Register (the ``Effective
                Date'').
                 E. Adoption and Amendment. This Liquor Ordinance shall be adopted
                and may be amended by a majority vote of the Tribal Council at a duly
                called meeting of the Tribal Council and subsequent review by the
                appropriate official of the Department of the Interior and publication
                in the Federal Register.
                 F. Sovereign Immunity. Nothing contained in this Liquor Ordinance
                shall be construed as a waiver of the sovereign immunity of the Tribe,
                nor does this Liquor Ordinance in any way limit, alter, restrict, or
                waive the Tribe's sovereign immunity from unconsented suit or action.
                Nothing in this Liquor Ordinance shall be construed to confer
                jurisdiction on a court or judicial body to hear disputes or causes of
                action arising from this Liquor Ordinance or its subject matter. The
                sovereign immunity of the Tribe is in no manner waived by this Liquor
                Ordinance or by any action of any Tribal employee or official acting
                pursuant to the Liquor Ordinance.
                [FR Doc. 2019-28443 Filed 1-3-20; 8:45 am]
                 BILLING CODE 4337-15-P
                

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT