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WHAT IS CALIFORNIA'S DENSITY BONUS LAW?
in Current Affairs, Land Use, News, Stephen Allen Jamieson
https://ssjlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/ssjlaw-news-articles.png 393 403 ssjadmin https://ssjlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/SSJLaw-Attorneys-Logo530.png ssjadmin2021-07-10 02:10:052021-07-10 02:10:09WHAT IS CALIFORNIA'S DENSITY BONUS LAW?
Inside The Minds – Gaming Law Litigation Strategies
in Gaming, Ralph B. Saltsman, Ryan Kroll, Stephen Allen Jamieson, Stephen Warren Solomon
GAMING LAW – LITIGATION STRATEGIES
ASPATORE
David H. Tennan t, Nixon Peabod y LLP; Marc W. Dunbar, Jones Walker LLP Stephen Solomon, Ralph Saltsman, Stephen Jamieson, Bruce Evans. and Ryan .Kroll, Solomon Saltsman & Jamieson: Paul S. West, Baker Donelson
Curt Beason and Ian Russell, Lane & Waterman LLP
John M. Bolton IIL Hill Hill Carter Franco Cole & Black PC
(Click here for PDF / Printable version)
David H. Tennant 7
Partner, Nixon Peabody LLP
INDIAN GAMING TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AFTER THE IGRA: A LITIGATOR'S PERSPECTIVE
Marc W. Dunbar 27
Partner, Jones Walker LLP
A FLORIDA PRACTITIONER'S GUIDE TO GAMING LAWTRENDS, ISSUES, AND STRATEGIES
Stephen Solomon, Ralph Saltsman, Stephen Jamieson, 41
Bruce Evans, and Ryan Kroll
Partners, Solomon Saltsman & Jamieson UTIGATION CONCERNING BAD-FAITH NEGOTIATIONS FOR TRIBAL-STATE GAMING COMPACTS UNDER THE IGRA
Paul S. West 55
Shareholder, Baker Donelson
GAMING LAW TODAY
Curt Beason and Ian Russell 67
Partners, Lane & Waterman LLP STRATEGIES: STACKING THE ODDS IN GAMING LAWUTIGATION
John M. Bolton III 83
Shareholder, Hill Hill Carter Franco Cole & Black PC BINGO IN ALABAMA: LEGAL BATTLEGROUND OR POUT/CS AS USUAL
Litigation Concerning Bad-Faith Negotiations for
Tribal-State Gaming Compacts Under the I G-RA
Stephen Solomon, Ralph Saltsman, Stephen Jamieson, Bruce Evans, and Ryan Kroll Partners
Solomon Saltsman & Jamieson
INSIDE THE MINDS
Indian tribes seeking to engage in Class III gaming on their Indian lands are at times required to engage in litigation seeking a judicial determination that a state has acted in bad faith during the tribal-state gaming compact process. Because of the importance of Class III gaming to provide funding for vital tribal government operations, tribes may be placed in a situation where only an action challenging state negotiating tactics· will allow that tribe to obtain a fair and reasonable tribal-state compact, to assist in providing for the tribe's members as envisioned by Congress when it passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) in 1988, regulating the operation of gaming on tribal lands.1
Under the IGRA, the level of regulation on gaming varies depending on which ·of the three classes of gaming a tribe wishes to provide. Class I gaming consists of social games for prizes of nominal value and traditional forms of Indian gaming as part of, or in connection with, tribal ceremonies and celebrations.2 Class I gaming is within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Indian tribes and not subject to the provisions of the IGRA.3
Class II gaming includes certain forms of bingo and card games but does not include any banking card games or slot machines.4 Class II gaming is within the jurisdiction of the Indian tribes, but is subject to the provisions of the IGRA.s
Class III gaming is all forms of gaming not Class I or Class II, and therefore includes slot machines and banked card games, as well as other forms of gaming.6 Class III gaming is generally the most lucrative form of gaming and is the most regulated gaming under the IGRA. Prior to operating Class III gaming, the IGRA requires a tribe to enter into a tribal-state compact along with other preconditions.? It is this requirement of a tribal-state compact that has led to disputes between Indian tribes and states because
1 25 U.S.C. § 2701 et seq. (West 1988).
2 25 U.S.C. § 2703(6).
3 25 U.S.C. § 2710(a)(I ).
5 25 U.S.C. § 2710(a)(2).
7 25 U.S.C. § 2710(d)(l)(C).
LITIGATION CONCERNING BAD-FAITH NEGOTIATIONS…
of the leverage for states created by the mandatory requirement of such a compact for tribes to operate Class III gaming.
Recognizing the potential for abuse by states, Congress sought to ensure that states did not take advantage of this leverage while negotiating tribal state compacts. The IGRA requires that a state negotiate in good faith and creates a procedure by which tribes can enforce this requirement through federal court action. Once 180 days has passed after a tribe has requested the state to enter into negotiations for a tribal-state compact, a tribe may file suit in federa district court seeking a judicial determination that a state failed to negotiate in good faith.
What a State May Negotiate for in a Gaming Compact
Since the IGRA's inception on in 1988, only a handful of cases discuss what constitutes good-faith negotiations under the IGRA. However, over the last few years, several case decisions provide greater specificity on this subject matter. For instance, a recent case out of the district court of New Mexico, Pueblo of Santa Ana v. Nash, concerns Congress's intent in restricting what subject may be included in a tribal-state gaming compact. 9 The states possess unequal bargaining power during the compact negotiations, because there is no requirement that a state enter into a compact, yet tribes may only operate Class III gaming if they have a tribal-state compact. Concerned that states may request a multitude of unfair concessions from tribes in exchange for the Class III gaming the tribes need to generate essential revenue, the IGRA prevents a compact from including more than these seven subject matters:
the application of the criminal and civil laws and regulations of the Indian tribe or the state that are directly related to, and ·necessary for, the licensing and regulation of such activity;
the allocation of criminal and civil jurisdiction between the state and the Indian tribe necessary for the enforcement of such laws and regulations;
8 25 U.S.C. § 2710(d)(7)(B)(i).
9 Pueblo of Santa Ana v. Nash, CIV. 11-957 LH/LFG, 2013 WL 5366403 (D. N.M. Sept 25, 2013).
the assessment by the state of such activities in such amounts as are necessary to defray the costs of regulating such activity;
taxation by the Indian tribe of such activity in amounts comparable to amounts assessed by the state for comparable activities;
remedies for breach of contract;
standards for the operation of such activity and maintenance of the gaming facility, including licensing; and
any other subjects that are directly related to the operation of gaming 10
Pueblo of Santa Ana Decision
In Pueblo of Santa Ana, the plaintiff tribe sought an order preventing a New Mexico district court judge from exercising jurisdiction over a pending lawsuit against a tribal gaming enterprise arising from allegations that the tribal gaming enterprise provided alcoholic beverages to two intoxicated patrons, which led to a one-car accident resulting in the death of those individuals and the injury of a third person.11 The plaintiff tribe also sought a declaration that the IGRA did not permit a compact to shift jurisdiction from tribal court to state court over personal. injury lawsuits against tribes or their gaming enterprises.12
The impetus behind the declaratory relief sought was a provision in the plaintiff tribe's compact with New Mexico that allowed claims for bodily injury or property damage proximately caused by the conduct of the plaintiff tribe's gaming enterprise to be filed in state district court, "unless it is finally determined by a state or federal court that the IGRA does not permit the shifting of jurisdiction over visitors' personal injury suits to state court."13 Utilizing the jurisdiction-shifting provision in the plaintiff tribe's compact, an action was filed in New Mexico state district court alleging the gaming enterprise proximately caused the death of the decedents and injured a third person due to the over-service of alcohol.14
10 25 U.S.C. § 2710(d)(3)(C).
11 Pueblo of Santa Ana, 2013 WL 5366403, at *3.
12 Id. at *I.
13 Id. at *2.
In response, the plaintiff tribe filed an action in federal district court and asserted that a jurisdiction-shifting provision on for all claims of bodily injury or property damages against a gaming enterprise is not one of the seven listed topics permitted by the IGRA to be included in a tribal-state gaming compact. 15 Accordingly, the plaintiff tribe argued that Congress does not allow a tribal-state gaming compact to extend state court jurisdiction and the application of state laws over matters that are not directly related to gaming, such as the wrongful death claim and personal injury claim at issue therein.16
The district court agreed with the plaintiff tribe and noted that the IGRA is written in a restrictive rather than an expansive manner, and that only matters listed in 25 U.S.C. §2710(d)(3(C) are permitted in a tribal-state gaming compact.17 The district court then held that since the IGRA does not explicitly permit a jurisdiction-shifting provision in a compact, it therefore prohibits such a provision.18
Pueblo of Santa Ana is an important new case that helps define what is and is not permitted within a tribal-state gaming compact. It builds upon comments made in the IGRA Senate Committee Report that Congress did "not intend that compacts ·be used as a subterfuge for imposing state jurisdiction on tribal lands." 19 While addressing bodily injury and wrongful death claims, its rationale and analysis can and should be allowed with respect to other matters requested by states for inclusion in a tribal-state gaming compact not explicitly included in 25 U.S.C. §2710(d)(3)(C).
Impact of Pueblo of Santa Ana Decision on Compact Negotiations
Using the Pueblo of Santa Ana's rationale, other matters requested by a state to be included in a tribal-state compact also may not be permitted to be include in a compact pursuant to 25 U.S.C. § 2710(d)(3(C). For instance, recent tribal-state compacts in California include provisions that require tribes to waive their immunity and submit to private arbitration for all
16 Id. at *5-6.
17 Id. at *10.
19 In re Indian Gaming Related Cases, 331 F.3d 1094, 1109 (9th Cir. 2003).
claims regarding bodily injury or property damage connected with, or relating to, the operation of the gaming facility; submit to the jurisdiction of the California state agencies that enforce California's workplace and occupational health and safety standards; submit to the governance of California's employment discrimination laws; and submit to the jurisdiction of California's workers' compensation program.
Presumably, the tribes that did enter into compacts with these questionable provisions did so because those tribes perceived that the benefits of obtaining a tribal-state compact and being able to begin operating Class III gaming outweighed the cost of submitting to the state's jurisdiction on these matters. However, this willingness to subvert their own sovereign immunity exemplifies Congress's concern regarding the unequal bargaining power possessed by the states and the exact reason that Congress enacted 25 U.S.C. §2710(d)(3(C) to limit the subject matters in a tribal-state comp ct.
Tribes and their counsel should be aware of the cost and benefits in litigating these matters. Litigation will likely delay the time in which a tribe is able to receive a tribal-state gaming compact even if the tribe ultimately prevails in the litigation. However, depending on the cost of inclusion of the challengeable provisions and the tribe's willingness to preserve its sovereign immunity, a tribe may still deem it necessary to litigate over the challengeable provisions.
Rincon Band Decision
Another recent case of interest to tribes and their counsel seeking to negotiate a tribal-state gaming compact with a state and potentially litigate a claim for bad-faith negotiations is the Ninth Circuit decision in Rincon Band of Luiseno Mission Indians of the "Rincon Reservation.20 The Rincon decision provided further clarification as to the extent that states may seek revenue sharing from gaming tribes through a tribal-state gaming compact.
Concerned with budgetary shortfalls, California attempted to generate revenue for their general fund by demanding that Rincon, as well as other
20 Rincon Band of Luiseno Mission Indians of Rincon Reservation v. Schwarzenegger,
602 F.3d IO19 (9th Cir. 2010).
California tribes, pay a percentage of their revenue to the state.21 Rincon protested, stating that, in 25 U.S.C. § 2710(d)(4), the IGRA expressly_ prohibits a state from imposing "any tax, fee, charge, or other assessment upon an Indian tribe." 22
The Ninth Circuit began its analysis with the determination that the IGRA required the court to consider a "demand" for a tax is evidence but not conclusive proof of bad faith.23 The court further noted that any time a state demands taxes to be paid into its general fund, the "state faces a very difficult task to rebut the evidence of bad faith necessarily arising from that demand."24
However, bad faith may be disproved if the state demonstrates that the demanded revenue was to be used for the public interest, public safety, criminality, financial integrity, and adverse economic impacts on existing gaming activities.25 Noting that California made no attempt to justify its demand for general fund revenue sharing using any of those listed factors, the Ninth Circuit held that California failed to rebut the presumption of bad faith.26
The Ninth Circuit also rejected the state's argument that it had offered meaningful concessions for the tax and therefore did not "impose" the tax but, instead, had merely negotiated for the revenue sharing.27 Because California tribes already enjoy the exclusive right to operate slot machines within the state of California, California could not offer exclusivity as a meaningful concession since it was something the tribes already possessed and which the Ninth Circuit previously held was already offered in exchange for two other payments required of California tribes, including Rincon in their earlier 1999 compacts.28
21 Rincon, 602 F.3d at 1024-25.
22 Id. at 1025.
23 Id. at 1029-30.
2s Id.
26 Id.
Meaningful Concessions
The Rincon decision is also helpful in determining how a "meaningful concession" is defined. California asserted that even if exclusivity by itself was not sufficiently meaningful, the court should consider the bundle of rights being offered within the compact and whether that bundle of rights is more valuable than the status quo.29 The Ninth Circuit rejected this argument, noting that the "consideration in exchange for the revenue sharing must be independently meaningful in comparison to the status quo"-i.e., not illusory (or illegal) if standing alone.3° Rincon stands for the proposition that once a meaningful concession has been exchanged for an obligation upon a tribe, that meaningful concession cannot further be utilized to obtain further obligations from the tribe.31 Therefore, tribes and their counsel negotiating compacts should be careful to create a clear record of what meaningful concessions, if any, are offered by a state in exchange for revenue sharing. This will also help determine whether each concession is "independently meaningful," as required by Rincon.32
Big Lagoon Decision
Tribes and their counsel should also be aware of a recent Ninth Circuit case that could prevent a tribe from prevailing in its bad-faith negotiations claim if it is unable to establish that the tribe was under federal jurisdiction as of 1934. In Big Lagoon Rancheria v. State of California, the Ninth Circuit held that pursuant to the IGRA, a tribe's right to request negotiations and thereafter to sue if a state does not negotiate in good faith is dependent upon that tribe having jurisdiction over Indian lands on which it proposed to conduct Class III gaming.33
The question of whether a tribe has jurisdiction over its Indian lands is based upon the 2009 Supreme Court holding that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) lacks authority to acquire land in trust for tribes that were not under federal jurisdiction in 1934.34 The determination of being under
29 Id. at I040.
30 Id. at I 040, fn. 23.
32 Id. at I 040.
33 Big Lagoon Rancheria v. California, 741 F.3d 1032, 1040 (9th Cir. 2014).
34 Carcieri v. Salazar, 555 U.S. 379, 388 (2009).
federal jurisdiction is specific to the year 1934 because of language in the 1934 Indian .Reorganization Act (IRA) that authorized the secretary of the interior to acquire land and hold it in trust "for purpose of providing lands for Indians."35 The IRA defined "Indian" to "include all persons of Indian descent who are members of any recognized Indian tribe now under federal jurisdiction."36 The Supreme Court interpreted the word "now" in the phrase "Now under federal jurisdiction" to mean as of the date the IRA was passed in 1934.37 Thus, the Supreme Court interpreted the IRA to authorize the BIA to acquire land in trust only for tribes that were under federal jurisdiction as of 1934, and a tribe's current status of recognition or jurisdiction is irrelevant for these purposes.38
Building upon the Carcieri decision, the Ninth Circuit in Big Lagoon determined that if the BIA cannot hold the lands in trust for the tribe, the lands are not "Indian lands" as defined in the IGRA.39 If the lands are not Indian lands, the IGRA does not permit a tribe to operate Class III gaming on those lands, and there is no requirement that a state negotiate a compact for Class III gaming on those lands.40
The issue this case may present to some tribe seeking a compact is whether it can be established that the tribe was under federal jurisdiction in 1934. In Big Lagoon, the Ninth Circuit noted that a helpful starting point in this determination is whether the tribe appears on a BIA list compiled shortly after the IRA was enacted.41 As did the Carcieri decision, the Big Lagoon decision is quick to point out that this list was not exhaustive and that the BIA did incorrectly leave certain tribes off the list that were in fact under federal jurisdiction at that time.42 This leaves open the door for tribes not appearing on the list to prove they were under federal jurisdiction in 1934 using other competent evidence such as treaties, legislative acts, and tribal documents.
35 25 U.S.C. § 465 (1934).
36 25 U.S.C. § 479 (1934) (emphasis added).
31 Carcieri, 555 U.S. at 392.
39 Big Lagoon, 741 F.3d at 1040.
42 Id. (citing Carcieri, 555 U.S. at 398).
Big Lagoon's Impact on Bad-Faith Litigation
Counsel for tribes should be aware that a state -could challenge whether the intended lands for the Class III gaming are in fact "Indian lands" even many years after the land was originally taken into trust. In Big Lagoon, the BIA took the subject lands into trust in 1994.43 In the Ninth Circuit, a challenge to an unauthorized agency action, such as taking lands into trust for a tribe pursuant to 25 U.S.C. § 465 if that tribe was not under federal jurisdiction in 1934, must be filed within six years from the date of the "agency's application of the disputed decision to the challenger." 44 In B Lagoon, the Ninth Circuit determined that this six-year period did not begin in 1994 when the land was taken into trust, but instead when the plaintiff tribe filed suit to compel negotiations and the state of California challenged the entrustment.45
Obtaining a Compact When a State Negotiates in Bad Faith
If the 180-day negation period has elapsed and a bad-faith negotiation action is filed, the district court will issue its decision on whether the state has negotiated in. bad faith. If the tribe is successful in proving bad-faith negotiations by the state, the district court will order the state and the tribe to conclude a compact within sixty days.46
If after the conclusion of this sixty-day period the tribe and state have not agreed upon a compact, the district court shall order each party to submit a
proposed compact that represents· that party's last best offer to a mediator appointed by the court.47 The mediator shall then select from the two
proposed compacts the one that best comports with the terms of the IGRA, any other applicable federal law, and with the findings and order of the district court.48
If the state consents to the proposed compact selected by the mediator
within sixty days of the mediator's submission to the state of the prevailing
43 Big Lagoon, 74I F.3d at I 035.
46 25 U.S.C. § 27IO(d)(7)(B)(iii).
47 25 U.S.C. § 27IO(d)(7)(B)(iv).
compact, the proposed compact is treated as a tribal-state compact.49 If the state does not consent to the proposed compact selected by the mediator within sixty days, the mediator shall notify the secretary of the interior and the secretary shall proscribe procedures allowing the tribe to operate Class III gaming, which are consistent with the proposed compact selected by the mediator, the IGRA, and the relevant provisions of the laws of the state.50
Because 8lass III gaming has become one of the leading means for tribes to provide for their government operations and for their members, tribes may have to resort to filing an action if states do not act in good faith. In such instances, it is important that counsel for the negotiating tribe create a clear record of the underlying negotiations so a district court will have sufficient information to conclude that a state is not negotiating in good faith. To create a clear record, it is important that counsel understand what does and does not constitute good-faith negotiations under the IGRA.
The Pueblo of Santa Ana decision confirms that if a negotiated topic is not expressly permitted by e IGRA, it is prohibited. To the extent possible, tribes and their counsel should ensure that no prohibited topic is included in a tribal-state gaming compact to preserve the tribe's sovereignty, obtain the best possible compact, and create a strong record in case of litigation. Tribes and their counsel should also be aware of the Rincon decision and its explanation of what constitutes a tax and what constitutes a meaningful concession.
Additionally, tribes and their counsel should recognize that, as in Big Lagoon, a state may assert that there is no requirement to engage in negotiations at all if a tribe was not under federal jurisdiction. Tribes and their counsel should be prepared to _address this issue before even filing a bad-faith. negotiation action.
As evidenced by these recent cases, there are many considerations for tribal counsel prior to initiating and litigating an action for a judicial determination of bad-faith negotiations by a state. As with all matters, it is
49 25 U.S.C. § 2710(d)(7)(B)(vi).
50 25 U.S.C. § 2710(d)(7)(B)(vii).
important that counsel be aware of all precedential decisions to create a clear record in case the negotiations result in litigation.
From the beginning of negotiations for a tribal-state compact for Class III gaming, make it a priority to establish a clear record of all parts of the negotiations. This will be vital evidence if it becomes necessary to go to court with claims that the state is negotiating in bad faith. Make sure that what the tribe believes is not permitted in a compact by the IGRA is clearly stated throughout the
When negotiating_ a tribal-state compact, keep in mind that district court has established that the IGRA is written in a restrictive rather than an expansive manner. Therefore, only matters listed in 25 S.C. § 2710(d)(3(C)
are permitted in a tribal-state gaming compact. Become familiar with the seven listed topics permitted by the IGRA to be included in a tribal-state gaming compact, and stay within the boundaries of that list, otherwise provisions within the compact will be prohibited. Become conversant with the case of Pueblo of Santa Ana, as it helped define what is and is not permitted within a tribal-state gaming compact.
While the Ninth Circuit noted that a state's demand for taxes to be
paid into its general fund makes it difficult to rebut evidence of bad faith, do not depend on that in supporting a claim of bad faith against a state. The state can disprove a bad faith claim if it can demonstrate that the revenue will go toward public interest/safety, criminality, financial integrity, and adverse economic impacts related to gaming activities. The state can also claim that it offers meaningful concessions in return for the tax, but this can be disproved if it can be shown that whatever is being offered is something the tribe already has rights to or already possesses.
Study the "Rincon decision as a guide for defining a "meaningful concession." Also per the Ninth Circuit, "consideration in Exchange for
the revenue sharing must be independently meaningful in comparison to the status quo, "meaning that what was being offered, if it was standing alone, would not be illusory or illegal. Once a meaningful concession has been exchanged for an
LITIGATION CONCE NING BAD-FAITH NEGOTIATIONS…
obligation upon a tribe, it can no longer be used to obtain more obligations from the tribe. Create a clear record of what meaningful concessions are offered by a state in exchange for revenue sharing.
Prepare to be able to prove that the tribe was under federal jurisdiction as of 1934 before filing a claim of bad faith. Per the Carcieri and Big Lagoon decisions, the BIA erred and left tribes off of the list that were under federal jurisdiction at that time, which makes it possible for tribes not appearing on the list to prove they were under federal jurisdiction in 1934, using other competent evidence such as treaties, legislative acts, and tribal
The partners of Solomon Saltsman & Jamieson have over 140 years of combined legal experience and practice in several areas of law, including gaming, land use, alcoholic beverage licensing, and litigation. The firm has been at the forefront of gaming law
representing both tribal and non-tribal clients. The firm has been involved in tribal-state
gaming compact negotiations, litigation to interpret gaming rights under a tribal-state gaming compact, and litigation concerning breaches of tribal-state gaming compact. Additionally, the firm is continuously approached to determine the legality of proposed gaming operations given the constantly improving level of technology.
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LAST CALL FOR ALCOHOL
in Alcoholic Beverage Licensing, Current Affairs, Stephen Allen Jamieson
California is close to passing a new state law that will shake up the time-table for serving and drinking alcohol at restaurants, bars, hotels and nightclubs. It will establish, if passed by the State Assembly and signed by the governor, a pilot program allowing Los Angeles, and six other cities, to serve into the predawn light by extending "Last Call For Alcohol" from 2 am to 4 am. If it works in the pilot seven cities it could be extended state-wide. If it works in California, other states may follow. Read more
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Count 1: Practicing Law Without A License, A Misdemeanor
in Current Affairs, Ralph B. Saltsman, Stephen Allen Jamieson, Stephen Warren Solomon
Ralph Barat Saltsman
Stephen Warren Solomon
Stephen Allen Jamieson
Holding a drill does not make someone wearing a white coat a dentist. Dressing up in a sailor's suit doesn't qualify anyone to captain a freighter through the Dardanelles. A suit, tie and brief case doesn't enable an unlicensed consultant to try an administrative hearing. Read more
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Marijuana Is Here to Stay
in Bruce Evans, Civil Rights, Consumer, Current Affairs, Jennifer Oden, Marijuana - Cannabis, Ralph B. Saltsman, Ryan Kroll, Stephen Allen Jamieson, Stephen Warren Solomon
The attorneys here at SSJ Law are proud to have recently published an article covering the marijuana civil rights movement that is sweeping across our country which was recently featured by Metropolitan News-Enterprise.
Legal recreational marijuana has been the dream; politically and literally. This fall as individual states from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific adopted the dream as reality, it all seemed to be within reach. But the dreamers woke up to a different world on November 8. As California and other states adopted legal recreational marijuana or liberalized use of marijuana in state elections, the reins to the federal government changed hands. Did the dream of open marijuana use turn into a nightmare of federal enforcement?
The election results are in…marijuana wins? Not so fast. Notwithstanding the will of the people in several states, the national election also led to a White House which will likely enforce federal marijuana prohibitions that have been largely ignored by law enforcement for nearly a decade. The question left open by the national election is…will the Trump administration and the intended Attorney General Jeff Sessions enforce the federal prohibition? How vigorous will that enforcement be in light of Sessions previous pronouncements and public positions? Several states have now passed ballot measures legalizing marijuana. If Senator Sessions, the Republican Senator from Alabama, is confirmed as Attorney General, there will be dire concerns for those involved in the marijuana business. While the Obama administration took a hands-off approach to those states that legalized marijuana, a new administration could change course and threaten aggressive enforcement.
While storm clouds appear on the federal horizon, support for marijuana legalization, both recreational and medicinal, continues to grow throughout the nation, state by state.
Prior to the November 2016 election, only four states (Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington) permitted the use of recreational marijuana. Now, a total of eight states have adopted laws legalizing the recreational use of marijuana. Additionally, a total of twenty-nine states now have laws regulating marijuana in some form.
In the recent election, nine states had ballot measures regarding either the legalization of marijuana for recreational use or medical use and the results are in:
Arizona: Proposition 205 sought to legalize recreational marijuana for adults and permit the production and sale, but ultimately the ballot measure failed. But, medical marijuana remains legal in Arizona as it was passed in 2010.
Arkansas: The voters passed Issue 6 to legalize medical marijuana for certain conditions.
California: Proposition 64 was passed, which legalizes recreational marijuana in the state. Additionally, medical marijuana was legalized in California, under Proposition 215, in 1996.
Florida: Amendment 2 passed to legalize medical marijuana in Florida.
Maine: The voters have made recreational marijuana legal in Maine, as Question 1 passed.
Massachusetts: Question 4, legalizing recreational marijuana, was passed in Massachusetts.
Montana: The voters passed I-182, which expands Montana's medical marijuana program.
Nevada: The voters have made recreational marijuana legal in Nevada, as Question 2 passed.
North Dakota: A limited ballot measure, Measure 5, has passed and it permits marijuana use for the treatment of specific conditions.
Overall, the legalization of marijuana has been certainly on the rise. Now, under our new federal administration, the question remains: So what?
As individuals and businesses are anticipating whether the federal government will decide if marijuana is here to stay, these individuals and businesses are contemplating entering the marketplace. In deciding whether to enter the marijuana business, operators must consider several factors and considering our new federal administration, the risks associated with operating a legal state enterprise, but an illegal federal business. Marijuana business operators, in states where it is legal, must consider a variety of factors, but certainly must consider the following:
Federal Illegality—Marijuana remains a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act. While the Obama administration decided not to take enforcement action against marijuana-related businesses, in states where the use is legal and the states robustly regulate the field, there is a new administration that is not bound by the previous administration's stance and perhaps, will likely choose to exercise enforcement over these businesses. The fact that marijuana remains federally illegal and the uncertainty of President-Elect Trump's administration's position with respect to enforcement must be considered. That window of consideration will probably close fairly soon after Senator Sessions is confirmed by his colleagues in the Senate. At that point, it's quite certain the federal government's position on enforcement will be made clear. Businesses ready to engage in the lucrative marijuana enterprise will know the viability or its early demise. Depending on the White House occupants in 2020 and thereafter, the trade may revive. Out this year, back in four? Or eight? But is that any way to run a business?
Compliance with State and Local Laws—For purposes of discussion, ignore for a moment the spectre of federal enforcement. In states where the adult use of marijuana has been legalized, there are numerous state and local laws in play that regulate the industry. In order to be compliant with the state and local laws, the business must know the statutes, rules, and regulations in place. Determining which laws are applicable can be difficult and time consuming. Running afoul of any state or local law could result in hefty penalties, suspension, or revocation of the ability to conduct the business. Further, because the industry remains federally illegal, there are generally several restrictions and limitations placed on the businesses under state or local law.
Financing and Investors—Because marijuana remains federally illegal, businesses can have a difficult time obtaining bank accounts, loans from banks, and other traditional forms of financing. Many start-up businesses require a great deal of funds to get off the ground. Potentially, anyone involved in the marijuana business, even investors, could be federally charged with a crime as the substance remains a Schedule I drug. As such, it may be difficult for marijuana businesses to operate within financial institutions and secure capital from reliable sources and individuals and/or companies may not want to take such a risk.
Tax Concerns—As the marijuana business is federally illegal, there are serious federal tax implications in owning and operating a marijuana business. For instance, the Internal Revenue Code denies business deductions for illegal businesses. Therefore, a marijuana businesses' tax rate is significantly higher than that of a business that is operating legally under federal law. Additionally, states where marijuana is legal, can and oftentimes do, impose significant taxes on marijuana operations.
Intellectual Property—Federally illegal marijuana businesses cannot obtain a registered trademark for the marijuana products through the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Thus, marijuana businesses face problems in developing and securing intellectual property.
Market Restrictions—Getting the businesses name out to the public may be difficult as there are generally several marketing and advertising restrictions in the states where marijuana use is legal due to the federal illegality. Because advertising can be severely restricted and traditional forms of media may not engage in such advertising, it places limitations on the marijuana industry to reach consumers.
Liability—In manufacturing and selling marijuana, there are certainly concerns with respect to liability if a customer suffers injury because of consuming the product. If a customer is injured because the marijuana contained pesticides, chemicals, mold, mildew, etc., then the business operator and/or manufacturer is exposing itself to potential lawsuits. Additionally, adequate liability coverage from insurance companies may be difficult to obtain as traditional insurance carriers may not want to cover federally illegal businesses.
There is now a line separating federal prohibition from state permission. Time will inform us as to how this conflict of jurisdictions will be resolved. In the meantime, one would expect big business to adopt a wait and see before investing in what could one day be a lawful billion dollar enterprise if all the moving governments align.
By STEPHEN WARREN SOLOMON, STEPHEN ALLEN JAMIESON, RALPH BARAT SALTSMAN, R. BRUCE EVANS, RYAN M. KROLL AND JENNIFER L. ODEN
Read the full article on the Metropolitan News website here: http://www.metnews.com/articles/2017/legcomm021617.htm
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Court Shines Light On Liquor Licensing
in Alcoholic Beverage Licensing, Current Affairs, Ralph B. Saltsman, Stephen Allen Jamieson, Stephen Warren Solomon
By: Ralph Barat Saltsman * Stephen Warren Solomon * Stephen Allen Jamieson
Did you hear the one about the convenience store owner who attempts to hold up the competing convenience store across the street? Ok. So there really wasn't a robbery, but…this store owner really did try to hold up the city and state application process so that a competing store would never open its doors across from his business. This hold up man came armed with public forums and some serious misinterpretations of state law. He failed at each step along the way, and the saga ended in two published companion opinions by the Court of Appeal.
In these landmark opinions, the Court of Appeal delved into the byzantine Alcoholic Beverage Control application process and the obscure complex role played by municipalities in that process. In these cases the Court determined the collaborative effort between state and municipal governments properly resulted in issuance of a license for sale of alcoholic beverages. The discretion which must be exercised by these governmental entities was analyzed by the Court which held that both city and state properly engaged and completed their respective statutory obligations in concert one with the other.
Relevant to these cases, by statute, the Alcoholic Beverage Control cannot issue a license to an applicant in an "over-concentrated area," that is, in a census tract where the number of licenses meets or exceeds the number of licenses allowed. There are exceptions. As set by statutory formula, certain Alcoholic Beverage Control license applications cannot be issued absent a finding of Public Necessity or Convenience. This finding is required for an application in over-concentrated areas or where the site is in an area designated as "high crime" also by statutory definition and law enforcement statistics.
For certain licenses, such as restaurants and hotels, the finding of Public Convenience or Necessity may be made directly by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. For other licenses, such as liquor stores, markets and convenience stores, such finding may be made by the local governing body where the premises are sited. In this way, county governments and municipal governments exercise discretion to make a finding of Public Convenience or Necessity or choose to make a finding that Public Convenience or Necessity will not be served by issuance of such licenses.
Business and Professions Code § 25958.4 (1995) created this threshold process for municipalities and county governments, but the underlying investigation of determining whether the license should issue remains exclusively with the ABC.
However, where cities and counties have authority to make findings on Public Convenience or Necessity, such findings must state the affirmative or the ABC will not issue the applied-for license. In cases where a finding of Public Convenience or Necessity is vested in the local governing body there must be a collaborative process between the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and the city or county in reviewing applications for sale of alcohol.
Crucial to the two recent Court of Appeals decisions, Business and Professions Code § 25958.4 was amended in 1996 to provide, in relevant part:
"(b)(2) With respect to any other license, if the local government body of the area in which the applicant premises are located, or its designated subordinate officer or body, determines within 90 days of notification of a completed application that Public Convenience or Necessity would be served by the issuance. The 90-day period shall commence upon receipt by the local governing body of (A) notification by the department of an application for licensure, or (B) a completed application according to local requirements, if any, whichever is later." (Emphasis added)
The Court of Appeal in Nick v. Lake Forest, 232 Cal.App.4th 871 (Dec. 2014) upheld a finding of Public Convenience or Necessity made by the City Council for Lake Forest for a 7-Eleven to be located within that municipality. In a companion case, Nick v. Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, 233 Cal.App.4th 194 (Dec. 2014) (Modified Jan. 15, 2015), the Court upheld the Alcoholic Beverage Control decision to issue a license for sale of alcoholic beverages to that 7-Eleven.
The facts underlying both decisions show that on June 29, 2010 the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control informed the City of Lake Forest that 7-Eleven would be filing a request for a municipal determination that Public Convenience or Necessity would be served by issuance of this license. 7-Eleven lodged its request with the City Development Director on July 6, 2010. The City found that 7-Eleven's request constituted the "completed application" under city requirements. Lake Forest determined Public Convenience or Necessity on October 4, 2010, that is, within 90 days after 7-Eleven's completed application. Appeals were brought by Nick, a nearby competitor, through the city appellate process which concluded before the City Council. After a public hearing, the Council affirmed the earlier finding of Public Convenience or Necessity and made its own extensive factual findings as to how Public Convenience or Necessity would be served by issuance of this license.
Nick challenged this City Council decision in the Superior Court under Code of Civil Procedure § 1094.5. Nick argued that the language of the Lake Forest ordinance did not reflect the statute's mandate. The Superior Court upheld the City Council decision noting any phraseology distinction between ordinance and statute was insignificant. At the Court of Appeal, Nick argued that the City did not act timely. Ultimately, in its opinion, the Court of Appeal recognized the clear language of 25658.4(b)(2) which provides that the 90-day count begins with notification that an application is made or when the city receives a completed application "whichever is later." (emphasis by the Court) The City's finding was upheld as timely.
The Court in Nick v. Lake Forest also examined the city's findings and found those findings to be a sound exercise of discretion conferred on the city by 25658.4. The Court also acknowledged prior Court of Appeal opinions (such as Sepatis v. Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board, 110 Cal.App.3d 93 (1980)) which reviewed Public Convenience or Necessity determinations made by the Alcoholic Beverage Control based on the ABC rule which preceded Business and Professions Code § 23958.4. The Court in Nick noted there is no definition of what constitutes Public Convenience or Necessity but that the term vests broad discretion so long as the decision maker does not act arbitrarily or on factors nor supported by substantial evidence. The Court opined that the findings made by the city were reasonable and supported by substantial evidence.
In the companion case, Nick v. Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, the Court examined the Alcoholic Beverage Control application process and the statutory system that anticipated a collaborative effort between state and city where, when required by statute and statistics, the city is to determine whether Public Convenience or Necessity is served, and the ABC must conduct its "thorough" investigation into the underlying question of whether public welfare and morals would be jeopardized by its issuance of the ABC license.
In this case in the administrative hearing before the ABC, Nick argued the ABC, in its investigation and hearing process, ceded its authority to conduct its investigation to the City of Lake Forest when the Department relied on and incorporated the city's findings of Public Convenience or Necessity into the ABC's decision to issue the applied-for license. This administrative hearing, held in November 2012, allowed Nick the opportunity to cross-examine 7-Eleven's and the Department's witnesses and to present his own witnesses. The Department's decision to issue the license acknowledges the City's extensive and comprehensive finding of Public Convenience or Necessity. Nick argued that it is the ABC's exclusive authority and obligation to investigate an application including findings of Public Convenience or Necessity.
The ABC decision was appealed to the ABC Appeals Board, the administrative appellate body which affirmed the Department's issuance of the license. In an original proceeding before the Court of Appeal (see Business and Professions Code § 23090), Nick argued that the Department did not engage in its statutory mandate to "make a thorough investigation" into the application (see 23958) but unlawfully relied on the City's Public Convenience or Necessity finding.
The Court of Appeal upheld the Department's decision and the Appeals Board's affirming opinion that the ABC properly reviewed the city's finding of Public Convenience or Necessity and also conducted its statutory mandated investigation and properly concluded, based on the evidence, that the license should issue. The Court concluded:
"The Department therefore did not cede any of its authority to license the sale of alcoholic beverages to the City."
In the Court's two companion decisions, taken together, the ABC application process and the statutory interplay between state and municipality are explored and explained by the Court.
The moral is: if you're going to attempt to hold up the application for your competition across the street, come armed with accurate statutory interpretations.
Post script – The administrative hearings before the city and the ABC, as well as the cases before the Court of Appeal were litigated by Solomon Saltsman & Jamieson. Nick filed Petitions for Review before the California Supreme Court which were summarily denied on March 11, 2015 and April 15, 2015, respectively. The ABC license was issued May 27, 2015, nearly five (5) years after application. By permit 7-Eleven was open and operating beginning April 2011.
Ralph B. Saltsman, Stephen Warren Solomon and Stephen Allen Jamieson are partners in the Law Firm of Solomon, Saltsman & Jamieson in Los Angeles. The authors practice in the areas of Land Use; Indian Gaming; Internet Gaming; Gaming; Zoning; Administrative; Personal Injury; and Constitutional Law. Saltsman, Solomon and Jamieson can be reached at (310) 822-9848; [email protected], [email protected] and [email protected].
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text:
WHAT IS 14 CFR 382.27(g)?
14 CFR Part 382 is the part of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rule in the Air Carrier Access Act which prohibits air travel discrimination against disabled persons. By definition and in relation to emotional support animals, this means any individual who has a mental impairment that, substantially limits any major life activity (including caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working), has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment as a result of the attitudes of others toward such an impairment will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability, and will be provided with accessible services and accommodations by the airline.
CFR 382.27(g) states: if a passenger does not meet advance notice or check-in requirements you establish consistent with this section, you must still provide the service or accommodation if you can do so by making reasonable efforts, without delaying the flight.
The Air Carrier Access Act protects persons with disabilities from discrimination and assures accessibility or accommodation. On flights 8 hours or longer, the carrier may require individuals traveling with service animals to provide 48 hours advance notice and check in 1 hour before the general public check-in time. However, carriers may require passengers traveling with emotional support animals to provide 48 hours advance notice and check in 1 hour before normal check in time, for any and all domestic flights.
Under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) and 14 CFR Part 382, Service animals are any animal trained to provide assistance to a qualified person with a disability; or any animal shown by documentation to be necessary for the emotional well-being of a passenger. Service animals are differentiated from emotional support animals as in the 48-hour notice example, while still being recognized as service animals.
Permissible documentation of an emotional support animal must be:
Current (no older than one year from the date of the passenger's initial scheduled flight)
On licensed mental health professional's letterhead (psychiatrist, psychologist, LCSW, etc.)
And the letter must state the following:
The passenger has a disability recognized in the DSM IV
The passenger needs the emotional support animal as accommodation for air travel (or at the destination)
The individual providing the assessment is a licensed mental health professional, and the passenger is under his or her professional care
The date and type of the professional's license, and the jurisdiction under which it was issued.
If you need to travel with your emotional support animal, you may purchase your emotional support letter for airlines directly from our clinical psychologist.
Learn more about traveling or housing with your emotional support animal in our emotional support animal letter FAQ.
Additional resources explaining the ruling are available at Cornell University's website:
Airlines must permit disabled passengers to travel with service animals (service animals being previously defined as inclusive of emotional support animals)
The purpose of Section 382.1 [Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)Title 14 Chapter II Subchapter D Part 382 Subpart A]
Terms defined
Certain airlines require additional documentation of training and/or vaccination, such as Delta and United Airlines. Always check your airlines disability concierge desk for emotional support animal requirements.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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