Santa Clara Pueblo Smooths Booze Rules: Tribal Update Live
Published Date: 4/17/2025
Notice
Summary
The Pueblo of Santa Clara in New Mexico updated its Liquor Control Ordinance to better manage alcohol sales and use the money to fight alcohol abuse in the community. These changes, approved in December 2024, take effect on April 17, 2025, and affect everyone involved in alcohol sales on Pueblo lands. This move supports the Pueblo’s health and safety goals while respecting tribal sovereignty.
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 8 costs, 1 mixed.
Upfront licensing and background fees
If you want to sell alcohol on Santa Clara Pueblo lands, license application fees include a $5,000 package-license fee or a $1,000 premises-license fee. Applicants also must pay a non-refundable background-investigation fee that may be set by the Administrator but shall not exceed $1,000.
Insurance requirement for licensees
Licensees must carry public liability insurance that covers the licensed premises with coverage limits of at least $1,000,000 per injured person, and the Administrator must have written proof of the policy.
License term, renewal and late fees
Each package or premises license lasts one year and may be renewed for one-year periods. Renewal requires a $500 fee submitted at least 30 days before expiration, and a late renewal may incur a $500 late charge; additional background-update investigations may cost up to $1,000 when performed.
Geographic 'Prohibited Zone' for licenses
The Liquor Code prohibits issuance of any license for locations within a specifically described geographic 'Prohibited Zone' (Sections 9, 10, 15 and 16, Township 20 North, Range 8 East, New Mexico Principal Meridian, and area south of Sections 15 and 16 bounded by the Rio Grande and NM Rte. 30 to the south boundary of the Pueblo Grant).
Sourcing and sales restrictions
All alcoholic beverages sold on Santa Clara Indian Lands must be obtained from a New Mexico licensed wholesaler; licensees may not sell to minors under 21; no sales, service or delivery to a customer in a motor vehicle or through a drive-up window are allowed.
Pueblo will use alcohol revenues to fight abuse
The Pueblo of Santa Clara adopted these Liquor Code amendments on December 13, 2024, and states it will use revenues from regulated retail alcohol sales to combat alcohol abuse and its effects within the reservation. The Code is effective April 17, 2025.
Server training and age rules
Applicants (and principals) for package or premises licenses must have completed a New Mexico-approved alcohol server education program within the prior three years; all servers employed must have completed an approved server education within the prior five years. Natural-person applicants must be at least 25 years old, though restaurants may employ 18‑year‑old servers who completed approved training.
Hours of allowed alcohol sales
Licensed premises may sell alcohol on Pueblo lands daily from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 midnight, and from 12:01 a.m. until 2:00 a.m. only if the sales are for consumption on the premises.
Initial compliance deadline for existing sellers
Existing sellers licensed under prior law must submit an application for a Pueblo license within 90 days after the Liquor Code's effective date (April 17, 2025), or within 30 days after receiving written notice from the Pueblo, whichever is later; until issued or rejected, prior licenses remain effective only under the conditions described.
Special-event license rules and small fee
Organizers of bona fide special events on Pueblo lands may apply for a special-event license by filing at least 45 calendar days before the event with a $50 fee; special-event licenses run only for the event period and may not exceed 72 hours and may not authorize sales within the Prohibited Zone. Special-event applications must show $1,000,000 liability insurance covering the Pueblo as co-insured.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-19928, Indian Gaming; Approval by Operation of Law of the Squaxin Island Tribe and State of Washington Gaming Compact
The Squaxin Island Tribe and Washington State have a new gaming agreement that’s now officially approved by law as of September 29, 2026. This means the tribe can run certain casino games on their land under updated rules, with no extra delays or costs from the government. It’s a win-win for the tribe and the state, keeping gaming fun and fair!
2026-17521, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Data Elements for Bureau-Funded Schools
The Bureau of Indian Education is updating the data they collect from schools they fund to keep things running smoothly and reduce paperwork headaches. This affects all Bureau-funded schools and invites public feedback by September 28, 2026. The goal? Make sure the info collected is useful, clear, and not a burden—no extra costs or delays expected.
2026-17235, Tonto Apache Tribe of Arizona Liquor Control Code
The Tonto Apache Tribe of Arizona has updated its liquor control rules, replacing the old 1986 code with a fresh new one starting August 24, 2026. This change affects anyone involved in selling, making, or handling alcohol on tribal lands and aims to boost the Tribe’s economy and government services. Get ready for clearer rules that follow Arizona law and help the Tribe grow stronger financially!
2026-17053, Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Sale of Alcoholic Beverages Ordinance Amendment
This notice publishes the amended Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Sale of Alcoholic Beverages Ordinance, which supersedes the previous ordinance published on May 14, 2002.
2026-17057, Caddo Nation Liquor Control Code
This notice publishes the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma Liquor Control. The liquor control code is to regulate and control the possession, sale, manufacture and distribution of alcohol in conformity with the laws of the State of Oklahoma for the purpose of generating new Tribal revenues. Enactment of the code will help provide a source of revenue to strengthen Tribal government, provide for the economic viability of Tribal enterprises and improve delivery of Tribal government services.
2026-15360, Rate Adjustments for Indian Irrigation Projects
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) owns or has an interest in irrigation projects located on or associated with various Indian reservations throughout the United States. We are required to establish irrigation assessment rates to recover the costs to administer, operate, maintain, and rehabilitate these projects. We are notifying you that we have adjusted the irrigation assessment rates at several of our irrigation projects and facilities to reflect current costs of administration, operation, maintenance, and rehabilitation.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-06579, Marine Mammals; File No. 27552
The National Marine Fisheries Service just got a green light to study and help Hawaiian monk seals, a super rare and endangered species. Their work includes tagging, health checks, and even feeding seals to boost their survival. This permit, effective April 9, 2025, lets them work across the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll, aiming to protect these cool creatures without extra costs to the public.
Next: 2025-06581, Change in Bank Control Notices; Acquisitions of Shares of a Bank or Bank Holding Company
Some families and groups want to buy big chunks of banks or companies that own banks. The Federal Reserve is checking these deals to make sure everything’s fair and safe. If you want to share your thoughts, you’ve got until May 2, 2025, to speak up before the final decision.