Don Rao — Identified as San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor and stated to be in support, with territory including Fort Mojave tribal lands.
Diane Kamalani — Identified as the chairperson who will testify on the Picayune Rancheria compact.
Deanne Kamalani — Deanne Kamalani, chairperson of the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians, presents testimony on behalf of the tribal council and asks for support. She explains the tribe’s history and reestablishment, then describes how gaming revenue is essential to tribal self-governance and supports health care, housing, elders, education, cultural preservation, language documentation, and traditions. She also notes the casino’s role as a major employer, with many workers living in nearby counties, and details broader community investments funded by gaming revenue, including job creation, economic development, public safety, and efforts to buy back tribal lands and strengthen sovereignty.
Susan Rubio — Addressed by the witness at the start of testimony; likely Senator Susan Rubio serving as chair in this context.
Susan Rubio — The chair is addressed as Chair Rubio.
Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians chairperson — The Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians chairperson explained that gaming revenue helps support elders, education, housing, culture, and future generations, emphasizing that the compact is essential to tribal sovereignty and self-reliance. The chairperson then concluded by asking the committee to vote to pass the Fifth Amendment to the compact.
Jesse Arreguín — Assembly Member Jesse Arreguín thanked the chairwoman for her presentation and information, praised the tribe’s investments and broader regional impact, and expressed support for the extension, saying he looked forward to seeing it come to the floor and supporting it.
Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians chairwoman — Was thanked for her presentation and information.
Vice Chairman Johnny Hernandez — Identified as the upcoming witness for the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation compact amendment.
Vice Chairman Johnny Hernandez — Described the tribe as a major regional employer with nearly 8,000 employees, long-term staff, and significant annual compensation.
Vice Chairman Hernandez — Noted as present and expected to speak.
Johnny Hernandez — Johnny Hernandez, vice chairman of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, testified in support of the compact amendment and asked for support for AB 1579. He framed his remarks around the tribe’s position and history, including the small size of the reservation, as part of his appeal for legislative support.
AB1579 — The speaker describes the amended compact for AB 1579 as reflecting a continued partnership that supports the tribe’s long-term planning, self-reliance, and revenue-sharing commitments, while also creating significant benefits for California communities, and then asks for support for AB 1579.
Marie Alvarado-Gil — The speaker recognized Assembly Member Alvarado-Gil and praised her.
Don Roe — Don Roe introduced himself, explained his role with San Bernardino County, and spoke in support of the compact amendment. He also began framing his understanding of tribal compacts and his connection to the district where the nation has its home.
Louis Sanchez — Spoke on behalf of the City of San Bernardino in strong support.
Angelique Ashby — Thanked for the updates and participation; likely refers to Vice Chairman Hernandez from the tribe.
Chairman Kenneth Kahn — Identified as present to testify on the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians compact amendment.
Maggy Krell — The committee chair is referred to as Chair Rubio in the transcript, but the speaker is likely addressing Senator Susan Rubio; the text is preserved with correction to the likely intended name.
SB542 — Discussion of Senate Bill 542 focused on ratifying the 2026 tribal-state gaming compact amendment. The speaker asked for support for SB 542, explained that the compact amendment would be ratified through the bill, urged advancement of the measure, and concluded by requesting an aye vote.
Chairman Joseph James — Chairman Joseph James is identified as being on the line to testify, but technical difficulties prevent him from continuing; he then apologizes and explains that a power outage on the reservation is interfering with his participation.
Sarah Dutcher — Outside legal counsel for the tribe, stepping in because Chairman James lost power.
Matt — Referenced as having just explained the compact details.
Greg Wallis — Greg Wallis is referenced in the ratification bills list as the author of AB 2173, and the later mention repeats that same attribution.
Monique Limón — Monique Limón is referenced in the ratification bills list as the author of SB 542, and the bill is mentioned again shortly afterward as SB 542, Limón, reinforcing the same attribution.
Monique Limón — Monique Limón is repeatedly referenced in connection with SB 542: she is identified as the Senate President Pro Tempore and author of the bill, thanked for carrying it, and asked for support in advancing it and for an aye vote on the Senate floor.
Matthew Lee — Matthew Lee, Senior Advisor for Tribal Negotiations for Governor Newsom, was introduced and invited to testify. He then began explaining the legal and policy context for the compact amendments, emphasizing how the Ninth Circuit’s Chicken Ranch decision shaped the amendments coming before the body. The chair later indicated that his testimony had concluded and moved on to the next witness.
Mark McCarrow — Mark McCarrow is introduced as Chairperson of the Pechanga Band of Indians, then identifies himself to the committee and greets them. He continues with his opening remarks by noting his 31 consecutive years as tribal chairman and his role as president of the National Congress of American Indians, setting up discussion of the compact amendment.
Mark McCarrow, Tribal Chairman for the Pechanga Band of Indians — Mark McCarrow presents a continuous case for the First Amendment to the Pechanga Tribal-State Compact by describing Pechanga’s sovereign relationship with the state and federal government, the original vision and growth of the Pechanga Entertainment Center, and its economic impact through thousands of jobs and substantial statewide activity. He explains that tribal gaming funds essential governmental services, including a fully equipped fire department that assists in wildfire response, urban search and rescue, and major disaster deployments, and he highlights the tribe’s investment in education and community support through its bilingual school and millions in donations to local schools and nonprofits. He concludes by saying the amendment modernizes the compact to comply with federal law, preserves revenue-sharing and community benefit provisions, allows future gaming-device expansion, and asks for support of the agreement.
Chairman Garubi, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians — Identified as the next remote witness for the Agua Caliente compact.
Matthew Lee, Senior Advisor for Tribal Negotiations for Governor Newsom — Begins describing the Agua Caliente compact as similar to the Pechanga amendment and notes the tribe's partnership with the state.
Chairman Gruby / Jeff Gruby — Chairman Jeff Gruby of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians appears online, identifies himself, and begins his remarks/testimony.
Jeff Gruby — Jeff Gruby, Chairman of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, introduced the tribe and described its federally recognized status in Coachella Valley, Riverside County. He explained that Agua Caliente is seeking legislative support to ratify the first amendment to its tribal-state compact and continued outlining the tribe’s reservation, services, employment, and economic development activities, including approximately 3,200 team members working in gaming and non-gaming ventures.
Mr. Lee — Invited to make comments on the Fort Mojave compact before Vice Chairman Sean Lewis testifies.
Mr. Lee — Explains that the compact extension is intended to preserve the status quo while litigation proceeds.
Mr. Lee — Introduced the compact amendment discussion and began describing the state's relationship with the tribe.
Mr. Lee — Thanked for concise and complete testimony.
Sean Lewis — Sean Lewis, Vice Chairman of the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe, testifies in support of the tribe’s compact with California. He describes the Mojave people and the tribe’s responsibility to protect its lands, culture, and future generations, explains that the new compact still requires federal approvals and the governor’s concurrence, and says it will allow a modest gaming facility. He emphasizes that gaming revenue will support essential tribal programs, services, jobs, and broader economic development, and concludes that the compact offers a fair opportunity for the tribe to pursue economic development while protecting patrons, employees, and neighboring communities, then invites questions.
Blanca Pacheco — Blanca Rubio opens the committee hearing as Chair of the Assembly Committee on Governmental Organization and is then referenced multiple times in the ratification-bills discussion as the author of SB 1235. The later witness remarks address her as Chairwoman Rubio, keeping the focus on her role in presiding over the hearing and the compact ratification agenda.
David Alvarez — David Alvarez is mentioned in the ratification bills list as the author of AB 1579, with the later mention repeating the same bill-author reference.