State Rep. Norma Chavez, D-El Paso, said today the House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee approved the omnibus gambling measure that contains language that would allow the Tigua tribe in El Paso to resume gambling at Speaking Rock.
The measure, HJR137, would amend the Texas Constitution to allow voters to determine whether gambling should be allowed in their region.
Here's the portion of the bill that would allow the Tiguas to restart gambling:
(h) A federally recognized Indian tribe is authorized to conduct gaming on tribal land of the tribe in this State that was held in trust by the United States on January 1, 2009, and that is located in Polk County or El Paso County.
Download the entire bill here: Download 81R30010
Because the proposal is a constitutional amendment, it requires "aye" votes from 100 of the 150 House members. If it makes it past that giant hurdle, it must then make it through the Texas Senate, where the chairman of State Affairs, state Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock, and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst have said they are opposed to expanding gambling in Texas.
Nonetheless, it's progress that the Tiguas remain in the bill. Chavez declared the Tiguas-only legislation dead weeks ago after legislators expressed concern about tribal Gov. Frank Paiz's criminal record. There had been concerns keeping the Tiguas in the major gambling bill would jeopardize too many votes.
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