AB-221
Government Operations

Tribal Nation Grant Fund.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Expands the Tribal Nation Grant Fund to include revenue from both tribal gaming compacts and class III gaming procedures, establishing two grant types: specific project grants and equal shares grants of $600,000 per eligible tribe.
  • Mandates that at least 85% of available funds be distributed as equal shares grants to eligible non-gaming and limited-gaming tribes, with remaining funds available for specific project grants.
  • Removes requirements for tribes to spend grants within specific timeframes or return unused funds, providing greater flexibility in fund management.
  • Prohibits using grant funds for per capita distributions to tribal members or gaming-related activities, ensuring money supports community development and self-governance initiatives.

Summary

Assembly Member Ramos's proposal restructures California's Tribal Nation Grant Fund to establish two distinct funding streams for nongaming and limited-gaming tribes, while expanding the fund's revenue sources to include proceeds from class III gaming secretarial procedures alongside existing tribal-state gaming compact revenues.

The legislation creates a dual grant system, mandating that at least 85% of available funds, or $600,000 per eligible tribe (whichever is greater), be distributed as equal shares grants paid quarterly. The remaining funds may be awarded as specific distribution grants for targeted projects related to self-governance, community development, or economic diversification. Eligible projects under specific distribution grants include tribal language curricula, housing initiatives, Indian Child Welfare Act compliance, vocational training, and investments in tribal institutions.

The bill modifies administrative requirements by eliminating deadlines for grant expenditure and removing the obligation to return unused funds. While maintaining prohibitions on using grants for per capita distributions or gaming operations, it streamlines the application process through separate forms for each grant type and allows automatic renewal of equal shares grants. The California Gambling Control Commission continues to administer the fund, with the Bureau of Gambling Control conducting all grant audits. Administrative costs are funded through the Indian Gaming Special Distribution Fund rather than grant monies.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Senate Governmental Organization Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Governmental Organization Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 221 Ramos Assembly Third Reading
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Assembly Governmental Organization Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Governmental Organization Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Blanca RubioD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 21 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 5
Select All Legislators
Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca RubioD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Laurie DaviesR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Isaac BryanD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Juan CarrilloD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Esmeralda SoriaD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Avelino ValenciaD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Greg WallisR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Michelle RodriguezD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Christopher CabaldonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Laura RichardsonD
Senator
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

James Ramos
James RamosD
California State Assembly Member
Avelino Valencia
Avelino ValenciaD
California State Assembly Member
Co-Authors
Blanca Rubio
Blanca RubioD
California State Assembly Member
Isaac Bryan
Isaac BryanD
California State Assembly Member
Juan Carrillo
Juan CarrilloD
California State Assembly Member
Laurie Davies
Laurie DaviesR
California State Assembly Member
Diane Dixon
Diane DixonR
California State Assembly Member
Mike Fong
Mike FongD
California State Assembly Member
Michelle Rodriguez
Michelle RodriguezD
California State Assembly Member
Blanca Pacheco
Blanca PachecoD
California State Assembly Member
Kate Sanchez
Kate SanchezR
California State Assembly Member
Jose Solache
Jose SolacheD
California State Assembly Member
Esmeralda Soria
Esmeralda SoriaD
California State Assembly Member
Greg Wallis
Greg WallisR
California State Assembly Member
40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/29/2025)

Latest Voting History

June 24, 2025
PASS
Senate Committee
Senate Governmental Organization Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
150015PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Expands the Tribal Nation Grant Fund to include revenue from both tribal gaming compacts and class III gaming procedures, establishing two grant types: specific project grants and equal shares grants of $600,000 per eligible tribe.
  • Mandates that at least 85% of available funds be distributed as equal shares grants to eligible non-gaming and limited-gaming tribes, with remaining funds available for specific project grants.
  • Removes requirements for tribes to spend grants within specific timeframes or return unused funds, providing greater flexibility in fund management.
  • Prohibits using grant funds for per capita distributions to tribal members or gaming-related activities, ensuring money supports community development and self-governance initiatives.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

James Ramos
James RamosD
California State Assembly Member
Avelino Valencia
Avelino ValenciaD
California State Assembly Member
Co-Authors
Blanca Rubio
Blanca RubioD
California State Assembly Member
Isaac Bryan
Isaac BryanD
California State Assembly Member
Juan Carrillo
Juan CarrilloD
California State Assembly Member
Laurie Davies
Laurie DaviesR
California State Assembly Member
Diane Dixon
Diane DixonR
California State Assembly Member
Mike Fong
Mike FongD
California State Assembly Member
Michelle Rodriguez
Michelle RodriguezD
California State Assembly Member
Blanca Pacheco
Blanca PachecoD
California State Assembly Member
Kate Sanchez
Kate SanchezR
California State Assembly Member
Jose Solache
Jose SolacheD
California State Assembly Member
Esmeralda Soria
Esmeralda SoriaD
California State Assembly Member
Greg Wallis
Greg WallisR
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member Ramos's proposal restructures California's Tribal Nation Grant Fund to establish two distinct funding streams for nongaming and limited-gaming tribes, while expanding the fund's revenue sources to include proceeds from class III gaming secretarial procedures alongside existing tribal-state gaming compact revenues.

The legislation creates a dual grant system, mandating that at least 85% of available funds, or $600,000 per eligible tribe (whichever is greater), be distributed as equal shares grants paid quarterly. The remaining funds may be awarded as specific distribution grants for targeted projects related to self-governance, community development, or economic diversification. Eligible projects under specific distribution grants include tribal language curricula, housing initiatives, Indian Child Welfare Act compliance, vocational training, and investments in tribal institutions.

The bill modifies administrative requirements by eliminating deadlines for grant expenditure and removing the obligation to return unused funds. While maintaining prohibitions on using grants for per capita distributions or gaming operations, it streamlines the application process through separate forms for each grant type and allows automatic renewal of equal shares grants. The California Gambling Control Commission continues to administer the fund, with the Bureau of Gambling Control conducting all grant audits. Administrative costs are funded through the Indian Gaming Special Distribution Fund rather than grant monies.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/29/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Senate Governmental Organization Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Governmental Organization Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 221 Ramos Assembly Third Reading
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Assembly Governmental Organization Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Governmental Organization Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Latest Voting History

June 24, 2025
PASS
Senate Committee
Senate Governmental Organization Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
150015PASS

Contacts

Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Blanca RubioD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 21 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 5
Select All Legislators
Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca RubioD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Laurie DaviesR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Isaac BryanD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Juan CarrilloD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Esmeralda SoriaD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Avelino ValenciaD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Greg WallisR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Michelle RodriguezD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Christopher CabaldonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Laura RichardsonD
Senator
Committee Member