AZ SR1001

Arizona Senate affirms state sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment and opposes the Tohono O'odham Nation's application to create a new Indian reservation within Glendale's exterior boundaries for gaming purposes.

The resolution argues the federal government exceeded its constitutional authority by accepting the tribe's amended application that removed gaming language while the tribe maintained intentions to conduct gaming, and by accepting the tribe's interpretation that the land is not "within a city or town."

Arizona asserts that territory surrounded on three sides by a city or town should be considered "within a city or town" under the relevant federal statute, consistent with Arizona annexation law.

The Senate directs the Secretary of State to transmit copies of the resolution to the President, Congress, and state legislators, and accepts the court order allowing members to join the lawsuit opposing creation of the reservation.

The resolution cites the 2002 Arizona voter-approved ballot measure creating laws to preclude gaming facilities in or near neighborhoods, and notes six other Arizona tribes have passed resolutions opposing the Tohono O'odham Nation's proposal.