§2704 National Indian Gaming Commission

Summary

Creates a National Indian Gaming Commission inside the Department of the Interior. The Commission has three full-time members: a Chairman picked by the President with Senate approval, and two associate members chosen by the Secretary of the Interior. The Attorney General must do a background check on nominees. The Secretary must publish the nominee’s name and other relevant information in the Federal Register and allow at least 30 days for public comment. No more than two members can be from the same political party, and at least two must be enrolled members of an Indian tribe. Terms are three years, except at the start when two members (including the Chairman) serve three years and one serves one year. People convicted of a felony or a gaming offense, or who have financial or management ties to gaming or to management contracts approved under section 2711, cannot serve. The President can remove the Chairman, and the Secretary can remove an associate, for neglect, malfeasance, or other good cause. Vacancies are filled the same way as the original appointment, and members may stay past their term until a successor is appointed unless removed for cause. Two members, with at least the Chairman or Vice Chairman present, make a quorum. The Commission picks a Vice Chairman by majority vote to act as Chair if needed. It meets when called by the Chairman or a majority, and at least once every 4 months. The Chairman is paid at Executive Schedule level IV under section 5315 of title 5, associates at level V under section 5316 of title 5, and members get travel and expense reimbursement under title 5.