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CaliforniaAB 2212025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Tribal Nation Grant Fund.

Sponsored By: James Ramos (Democratic), Avelino Valencia (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Equal-share grants: $600K per tribe

The panel meets at least once a year to award equal shares grants. Each eligible tribe gets an equal share. The panel aims for $600,000 per tribe, or splits at least 85% of available fund money, whichever pays out more. If the fund cannot cover $600,000 each, it splits all available money equally. Payments are made quarterly within 45 days after each fiscal quarter. A tribe files one equal shares application; it then renews each year if the tribe still qualifies by the deadline. The tribe must certify funds will be used only for allowed purposes. The commission can deposit money into the Fund only after it confirms the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund can make its required quarterly payments, which can slow deposits and payments.

Project grants for community needs

Eligible tribes can apply for specific project grants using money left after equal-share awards. Projects may fund language and culture, housing, job training, schools, courts, public health, renewable energy, water, education, scholarships, and more. The application must name each tribe applying, describe the project and benefits, list other funding, show safeguards, note past grants and results, include a sustainability plan, flag confidential items, and include signed acceptance of terms. The panel may grant less than requested. Grant money cannot be used for per‑person payments to members or for gaming operations or activities.

Grant fund for nongaming tribes

The law creates the Tribal Nation Grant Fund in the State Treasury. It holds money the state gets from tribal gaming compacts. A new Tribal Nation Grant Panel runs the program and sets application rules. Eligible tribes are federally recognized nongaming or limited‑gaming tribes in California. The panel offers two grant types: equal shares to every eligible tribe and specific project grants. Money can be paid out only after the Legislature appropriates it.

How grants are reviewed and enforced

Commission staff explain the process and provide admin help but do not fill out applications. When compacts bar it, the commission and staff do not control approvals or grant use. The panel may use technical experts to score applications, paying up to $100 per day. The panel can change deadlines for using a grant. By applying, tribes accept terms, must cooperate, and must share documents for audits. Only the Bureau of Gambling Control audits grant use. If a tribe misuses funds, the panel can pause future grants for a set time. Admin and audit costs come from the Indian Gaming Special Distribution Fund, not from the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund or this grant fund. Agencies follow this program outside the Administrative Procedure Act, and all actions must match tribal‑state compacts and secretarial procedures.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • James Ramos

    Democratic • House

  • Avelino Valencia

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Blanca Blanca Rubio

    Democratic • House

  • Isaac Bryan

    Democratic • House

  • Juan Carrillo

    Democratic • House

  • Laurie Davies

    Republican • House

  • Diane Dixon

    Republican • House

  • Mike Fong

    Democratic • House

  • Heather Hadwick

    Republican • House

  • Michelle Michelle Rodriguez

    Democratic • House

  • Blanca Pacheco

    Democratic • House

  • Susan Rubio

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kate Sanchez

    Republican • House

  • José Luis Solache

    Democratic • House

  • Esmeralda Soria

    Democratic • House

  • Greg Wallis

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 254 • No: 0

House vote • 9/8/2025

Item 4 — Assembly AFLOOR

Yes: 79 • No: 0

Senate vote • 9/3/2025

Item 339 — Senate SFLOOR

Yes: 40 • No: 0

legislature vote • 8/29/2025

Vote in CS61

Yes: 7 • No: 0

legislature vote • 8/18/2025

Vote in CS61

Yes: 7 • No: 0

legislature vote • 6/24/2025

Vote in CS48

Yes: 15 • No: 0

House vote • 5/29/2025

Item 72 — Assembly AFLOOR

Yes: 70 • No: 0

legislature vote • 5/23/2025

Vote in CX25

Yes: 14 • No: 0

legislature vote • 4/23/2025

Vote in CX07

Yes: 22 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 129, Statutes of 2025.

    9/26/2025Senate

  2. Approved by the Governor.

    9/26/2025legislature

  3. Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4:30 p.m.

    9/15/2025legislature

  4. Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 2975.).

    9/8/2025House

  5. In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.

    9/3/2025House

  6. Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 2466.).

    9/3/2025Senate

  7. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    9/2/2025Senate

  8. Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.

    8/29/2025Senate

  9. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 29).

    8/29/2025Senate

  10. In committee: Referred to suspense file.

    8/18/2025Senate

  11. In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.

    7/9/2025Senate

  12. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (June 24). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

    6/24/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Com. on G.O.

    6/11/2025Senate

  14. In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

    5/29/2025Senate

  15. Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 70. Noes 0. Page 1781.)

    5/29/2025House

  16. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    5/27/2025House

  17. From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (May 23).

    5/23/2025House

  18. In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.

    5/7/2025House

  19. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 22. Noes 0.) (April 23). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

    4/24/2025House

  20. Coauthors revised.

    4/24/2025House

  21. Referred to Com. on G.O.

    2/3/2025House

  22. From printer. May be heard in committee February 8.

    1/9/2025House

  23. Read first time. To print.

    1/8/2025House

Bill Text

  • Chaptered

    9/26/2025

    HTML

  • Enrolled

    9/10/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Senate

    8/29/2025

    HTML

  • Introduced

    1/8/2025

    HTML

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