FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Christopher M. Changery

Feb. 10, 1999 (202) 224-2251

CAMPBELL INTRODUCES BILLS TO IMPROVE TRIBAL ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Chairman Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.) today introduced three bills aimed at encouraging tribal business development, strengthening enforcement of federal Indian gaming laws and clarifying a new housing program.

The Native American Business Development Trade Promotion and Tourism Act would coordinate existing programs within the Department of Commerce, including those geared to encouraging American businesses in the fields of international trade and tourism. Rather than creating new programs, the Native American Business Development Office would make existing ones more efficient and give tribes a central office to contact.

"Most people would be shocked to discover that the average unemployment rate on Indian reservations is 50 percent -- twice the national rate during the great depression," Campbell said. "The answer is not more government programs. We can see how well that has helped. The role for the government here is to assist the tribes in attracting private sector investment. This bill will take currently uncoordinated programs and make them work together."

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Improvement Act of 1999 requires the National Indian Gaming Commission to develop and implement a system of minimum internal control, background investigation and licensing standards for tribal gaming facilities. It also directs the NIGC to take into account any tribal or tribal-state regulating before assessing fees on gaming tribes.

"The future of Indian gaming depends on public confidence that the facilities are run reputably," Campbell said. "The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 gave Indian tribes a shot at economic independence. We need effective internal and external regulation so that opportunity is not taken away. The consumer also deserves to know the games are conducted fairly."

The Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act Amendments of 1999 makes changes to a law passed in 1996, which was designed to transfer management of Indian housing programs from the federal government to Indian tribes. The amendments clarify the Housing and Urban Development's oversight of tribal housing and would give tribes the use of lower housing income tax credits.