Craig Powell 

Chairman 

Chicken Ranch Band of 

Me-Wuk 1ndians 

16929 Chicken Ranch Road 

Post office Box 1159 

Jarnestown, CA 95327 

NOV - 7 & 

Dear chairman Powell: 

This letter responds to your request to review and approve 

the Band's gaming ordinance, Resolution No. 007, adopted on 

September 11, 1993, by the Chicken Ranch Band (Band). This 

letter constitutes such approval under the Indian Gaming 

Regulatory Act (IGRA) . 

Under the IGRA and the regulations of the National Indian 

~aming Commission (NIGC), the chairman is directed to review 

ordinances with respect to the requirements of the IGRA and the 

implementing regulations. Thus, the scope of the Chairman's 

review and approval is limited to the requirements of the IGRA 

and the NIGC regulations. Provisions other than those required 

under the IGRA or the NIGC regulations that may be included in a 

tribal ordinance are not subject to review and approval. Also, 

such approval does not constitute approval of specific games. It 

is important to note that the gaming ordinance is approved for 

gaming only on Indian lands as defined in the IGRA. 

With the Chairman's approval of the Bands's gaming 

ordinance, the Band is now required to conduct background 

investigations on its key employees and primary management 

officials. The NIGC expects to receive a completed application 

for each key employee and primary management official pursuant to 

25 C.F.R. § 556.5(a) and an investigative report on each 

background investigation before issuing a license to a key 

employee or primary management official pursuant to 25 C.F.R. 

§ 556.5 (b) . 

Thank you for submitting the ordinance of the Chicken Ranch 

Band for review and approval. The NIGC staff and I look forward 

to working with you and the Band in implementing the IGRA. 

Sincerely yours, 

Chairman 

1441 L STREET, ,N.W. ~TH~R WASHINGT~N:D.C. 20005 , TEL.: 202-632-7003 FAX: 202-632-7066 
CHlCKEN RANCH TRIBAL COUNCIL RESOLUTION NUHBER 007 

Ue, the Tribal members of the Chicken Ranch Rancheria, 

on this date held an election to 

enact the New Gaming Ordinance, which include parts of 

Class 11 gaming as set forth in the guide lines of the 

National Indian Gaming Commission. 

It was voted by 100% of the attending members to adopt 

the New Gaming 0rdinance.as a new resolution. 

The votes were caste and recorded in writing herein: 

)YES t NO t SIGNATURE: 

Chairman, 

Lloyd R. Hathiesen 

Vice Chairman, 

Loren U. Mathiesen 

Secretary, 

Clois Erwin........ 

Treasure, 

Craig Powell.,,.... 

Sergeant at Arms, 

Cindy Smith........ 

tlembers: 

Donna Dunne........ - Jun

Brian Hathiesen.. .. ,. 

Melissa Powell....., . d 

Tony Erwin.. ........I. 

1; 

I 
CHICKEN RANCH BAND OF ME-WUK INDIANS ' TRIBAL GAMING ORDINANCE 

CLASS n GAMING AE lorn 

The Tribal Council of the Chicken Ranch Band of Me-Wuk Indians 

(hereinafter "Tribe"), by virtue of the customs and traditions of 

the Tribe empowering said Council with, among other powers, 

legislative authority, hereby enacts this ordinance in order to 

permit and regulate gaming operations on tribal lands. 

11. Sco~e of Gamins Defined 

Only Class I1 gaming as defined in the Indian Gaming 

Regulatory Act, P.L. 100-447, at 25 U.S.C. 5 2703(7) (A) 

(hereinafter I1IGRAW), and in the regulations promulgated by the 

National Indian Gaming Commission (I1NIGCl1), are hereby authorized. 

However, should the Tribe ever deem that Class I11 gaming, as 

defined by IGRA, be permitted on tribal lands, the Council shall be 

authorized to amend this provision, and all other appropriate 

provisions within this ordinance, and submit the revised ordinance 

to the NIGC for approval. 

111. Ownershiw of Gaminq -- Penaltv for Unauthorized Gaminq 

The Tribe shall have sole ownership of any gaming operation on 

tribal lands. All other gaming operations shall be deemed 

unauthorized by the Tribe. The penalty for unauthorized gaming on 

tribal lands is the imposition of the full civil penalty allowed by 

applicable federal law for each unauthorized game conducted. 

IV. Use of Gamins Revenue 

a. Net revenues from Class I1 gaming shall be used only for 

the following purposes: to fund tribal government operations and 

programs; provide for the general welfare of the Tribe and its 

members; promote tribal economic development; donate to charitable 

organizations; or help fund operations of local government 

agencies. 

b. If the Tribe elects to make per capita payments to tribal 

members, it shall authorize such payments only through a plan 

submitted to and approved by the Secretary of Interior pursuant to 

25 U.S.C. § 27108(b) (3). 
V. Audit a 

a. The Tribe shall cause to be conducted annually an 

independent audit of all tribal gaming operations and shall submit 

the resulting audit reports to the NIGC. 

b. All related contracts that result in the purchase 

of supplies, services, or concessions in excess of $25,000.00 

annually, except contracts for professional legal and accounting 

services, shall be specifically included within the scope of said 

audit . 

VI. Environmental, Public Health. and Safety Protection 

All tribal gaming facilities shall be constructed, maintained, 

and operated in a manner which adequately protects the environment 

and the public health and safety. 

VII. Licenses 

Licenses to conduct gaming operations on tribal lands are - required for all key employees and bingo managers. 

1. Kev em~lovee defined. For purposes of this 

ordinance, "key employeen means a person who performs one of more 

of the following duties: 

A. bingo caller; 

B. counting room supervisor; 

C. chief of security; 

D. custodian of gaming supplies or cash (this does 

not include floor personnel unless otherwise 

specifically listed in these definitions); 

E. floor manager; 

F. pit boss; 

G. dealer; 

H. croupier; 

I. approver of credit; 

J. custodian of gambling devices including persons 

with access to cash and accounting records within 

such devices; 

K. if not otherwise included, any person whose 

annual cash compensation exceeds $50,000.00; or 

L. if not otherwise incluaed, the four most highly 

compensated persons in the gaming operation. 

Tribal Gaming Ordinance 

2 
2. Binqo manaser defined. For purposes of this 

ordinance, "bingo managerM means: , 

A. Any person having management responsibility 

pursuant to a management contract; 

B. Any person having the authority to hire and 

discharge employees or to set general policies, 

such as employment policies, for the gaming 

operation; or 

C. The chief financial officer or other person 

charged with financial management responsibility. 

b. License Avvlication Process 

1. A~~lication Form. Persons required to obtain a 

gaming license pursuant to this ordinance shall initiate the 

application process by completing and submitting a Gaming License 

Application Form obtained from the Tribal Council or its 

representative authorized to supenrise the gaming license 

application process. 

2. Contents of Form. 

A. Privacy Act Notice. Said Gaming License 

Application Form shall include the following notice: 

In compliance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the following 

information is provided: Solicitation of the information 

on this form is authorized by 25 U.S.C. S§ 2701, et seq. 

The purpose of the requested information is to determine 

the eligibility of individuals to be employed in a gaming 

operation. The information will be used by National 

Indian Gaming Commission members and staff who have need 

of the information in the performance of their official 

duties. The information may be disclosed to appropriate 

Federal, Tribal, State, local, or foreign law enforcement 

and regulatory agencies when relevant to civil, criminal 

or regulatory investigations or prosecutions or when 

pursuant to a requirement by a tribe or the National 

Indian Gaming Commission in connection with the hiring or 

firing of an employee, the issuance or revocation of a 

gaming license, or investigations of activities while 

associated with a tribe or gaming operation. Failure to 

consent to the disclosures indicated in this notice will 

result in a tribe's being unable to hire you in a bingo 

manager or key employee position. 

The disclosure of your Social Security Number (SSN) is 

voluntary. However, failure to supply an SSN may result 

Tribal Gaming Ordinance 

3 
in errors in processing your application. # 

B. Penalty for False Statements Notice. The Gaming 

License ~pplica'tion Form shall also include the following notice: 

A false statement on any part of your application may be 

grounds for not hiring you, or for firing you after you 

begin work. Also, you may be punished by fine or 

imprisonment, or both. 18 U.S.C. § 1001. 

C. Recruested Information. The Gaming License 

Application Form shall request all of the following information: 

i. Full name, other names used (including 

nicknames), social security number (s) 

(optional), birth date, place of birth, 

citizenship, gender, a list of all languages 

the applicant can speak or write; 

ii. All business and employment positions, 

ownership interests in businesses, business 

and residence addresses, and drivers license 

numbers currently held or held within the past 

five years; 

iii. The names and current addresses of at 

least three personal references, including one 

personal reference who was acquainted with the 

applicant during each period of residence ' 

listed in ii) above; 

iv. Current business and residential 

telephone numbers; 

v. A description of any existing and previous 

business relationships with Indian tribes, 

including ownership interests in those 

businesses; 

vi . A description of any existing and 

previous business relationships with any 

gaming industry generally, including ownership 

interests in those businesses; 

vii. The name and address of any licensing or 

regulatory agency with which the person has 

ever filed an application for a license or 

permit related to gaming, whether or not such 

license or permit was granted, and if not, the 

Tribal Gaming Ordinance 

4 
reason, if known, why the application was 

rejected; a 

viii. Whether the applicant has ever been 

convicted of a felony or is currently charged 

with a felony, and if so, the charge, the name 

and address of the court which conducted or is 

conducting the proceedings, and the 

disposition of the proceedings, if any; 

ix. Whether the applicant has ever been 

convicted of a misdemeanor or is currently 

being prosecuted for a misdemeanor offense 

other than a minor traffic violation within 

ten years of the date of the application, and 

if so, the charge, the name and address of the 

court which conducted or is conducting the 

proceedings, and the disposition of the 

proceedings, if any; 

x. The name and address of any licensing or 

regulatory agency with which the person has 

filed an application for an occupational 

license or permit, and whether or not such 

license or permit was granted; 

xi. A current photograph; 

xii. Other requests for information the Tribe 

deems relevant; and 

xiii. Fingerprints consistent with procedures 

adopted by the Tribe according to NIGC 

regulations, 25 C.F.R. § 522.2(h). 

3. A~Dlication Procedure For Existina Kev Em~lovees 

And Binso Manaaers. 

Existing key employees and bingo managers shall be notified in 

writing that they shall either: 

A. Complete a new application form which contains 

Privacy Act and False Statement notices as set forth in VII.b.2.A&B 

above; or 

B. Sign a statement which,contains the Privacy Act 

notice and consents to the routine uses described in that notice, 

and also contains the False Statement notice. 

Tribal Gaming Ordinance 

5 
4. pw~lication Review. 6 

A. Confidentialitv. The Tribe shall keep 

confidential the identity of the applicant during the course of the 

application review. 

B. Investisation. The Tribe shall verify all 

information contained in the application form either by written or 

oral means and investigate all references, criminal record, habits, 

reputation, and/or associations which may impact on the applicant's 

eligibility for a gaming license. If the Tribe determines that 

employment of the person may pose a threat to the public interest 

or to the effective regulation of gaming, or creates or enhances 

the possibility of unsuitable, unfair, or illegal practices, 

methods, and activities in the conduct of gaming, the Tribe shall 

reject that person's application for a gaming license. 

5. A~~lication Forwardina to the NIGC. When a key 

employee or bingo manager commences work at a gaming operation 

authorized by this ordinance, the Tribe shall forward to the NIGC 

a completed application form for that person. 

6. ReD0rt on Aw~lication to the NIGC. Within 60 days 

after a key emp1,oyee or bingo manager commences work, or within 60 

days after the approval of this ordinance by the Chairman of the 

NIGC, the Tribe shall forward a report to the NIGC concerning its 

investigation of the applicant. The contents of said report shall 

include all of the following: 

a. Methods used to conduct the background 

investigation; 

b. Results obtained; 

c. Conclusions reached; and 

d. The bases for those conclusions. 

If during its investigation the Tribe determines that an 

applicant must be rejected, the Tribe shall notify the NIGC and may 

forward copies of its investigation for inclusion in the Indian 

Gaming Individuals Records System. 

7. Retention of A~~lications and Re~orts. The Tribe 

shall retain all license applications and investigative reports (if 

any) for inspection by the Chairman of the NIGC or duly authorized 

representative for no less than three years from the date of the 

applicant's rejection or termination of employment. 

c. Issuance of Gamins License 

1. Within 30 days after the NIGC receives a report on an 

Tribal Gaming Ordinance 

6 
applicant, the) NIGC will inform the Tribe if the NIGC has an 

objection to the issuance of a gaming license to the applicant. If , the Tribe receives no objection, the Tribe may issue a gaming 

license to the applicant. 

2. Should the NIGC request from the Tribe information 

not contained in the report on the applicant, the 30 day period 

will not commence until the NIGC has received the additional 

information from the Tribe. 

3. Should the NIGC inform the Tribe of any objections it 

has to the issuance of a gaming license to the applicant within the 

initial 30 day period, the Tribe shall reconsider the application, 

taking into account the objections made by the NIGC, and may issue 

a gaming license to the applicant despite the NIGC objections. 

d. Sus~ension and Revocation of Gamina License 

1. After the Tribe has issued a gaming license, said 

license may be suspended by the Tribe if the Tribe receives 

information from the NIGC or other reliable source that continued 

employment of the person may pose a threat to the public interest 

or to the effective regulation of gaming, or creates or enhances 

the possibility of unsuitable, unfair, or illegal practices, 

methods, and activities in the conduct of gaming. Notice of such 

suspension shall be made to the license holder in writing. 

2. The notice shall include the basis for suspension, 

and set forth a time and place for a hearing, no longer than 60 

days following the date of suspension, to be conducted by the 

Tribal Council or its authorized representative. 

3. The hearing shall be conducted according to the 

traditions and customs of the Tribe, and shall allow the suspended 

license holder an opportunity to present all relevant evidence to 

rebut the allegations which formed the basis of the suspension. 

4. Within ten days after the hearing the Tribe shall 

decide whether to reinstate or permanently revoke the gaming 

license. In either event, the Tribe shall notify the NIGC of its 

decision, and the basis therefor. The decision of the Tribal 

Council or its authorized representative is final. 

VIII. Desisnation of Asent for NIGC Service 

For purposes of NIGC regulation 25 CF'R 5 519.1 only, the Tribe 

hereby designates its Tribal Council Chairperson as its agent for 

service of any official determination, order, or notice promulgated 

by the NIGC. Service shall be sent to: 

Tribal Gaming Ordinance 

7 
~hai~erson, Tribal Council 

Chicken Ranch Band of Me-Wuk Indians 

P.O. Box 1699 

Jamestown, CA 95327 

This designation is not intended as, nor shall it be deemed, a 

waiver of sovereign immunity on the part of the Tribe. 

IX. Dis~ute ~esolution Between Public and Tribe 

a. In the event that a dispute over gaming arises between an 

individual or group of the general public and the Tribe, the Tribal 

Council or its authorized representative shall attempt to resolve 

the dispute immediately. 

b. If the Tribal Council or its authorized representative 

deems that a dispute or grievance is too complicated to resolve 

immediately, or that a grievance appears to be unfounded, the 

Tribal Council or its authorized representative shall request from 

said aggrieved person or persons a written statement outlining 

their grievances, the underlying and/or supporting facts, and any 

requested redress. Upon receipt of the written statement, the 

Tribal Council or its authorized representative shall set a time 

and place for a hearing to be conducted within 30 days of receipt 

of said written statement. 

c. At the hearing, the aggrieved person or persons shall be 

allowed to present any additional information they may have 

obtained. In addition, the Tribal Council or its authorized 

representative shall make all reasonable efforts to resolve the 

problem. 

a d. If a resolution is not reached at the hearing, the 

aggrieved person or persons1 statement shall be forwarded to the 

NIGC with an explanation of the proceedings and determinations made 

by the Tribal official or officials conducting the hearing. 

X. Identification of Law Enforcement Auencv 

The law enforcement agency which the Tribe shall use in 

conducting its investigation of gaming license applicants, as 

outlined in sect,ion VII above, is: 

Sonora Police Department 

542 W. Stockton Road 

Sonora, CA 95370 

Said agency will take finger prints and provide a criminal history 

check of the applicant. 

Tribal Gaming Ordinance 

8 
CHICKEN RANCH RANCHERIA 

16929 Chicken Ranch Road Post Office Box 1 159 Jarnestown, California 95327 -------------_____-----------#-----------------------e-----------------------e---*-------- 

(209) 984-4806 Fax (209) 984-5606 

Resolution #11695-01 

WHEREAS, the CHICKEN RANCH RANCHERIA OF ME-WUK INDIANS 

of CALIFORNIA ("BAND") has been operating a bingo enterprise on its reservation for 

approximately ten (1 0) years to date; 

WHEREAS,' the BAND has determined that a Tribal Gaming Ordinance for Class 

I1 Gaming, approved by the Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission 

("NIGC") is required by federal law; 

WHEREAS, the BAND has been notified by the NIGC that its current CHICKEN 

RANCH BAND OF ME-WUK INDIANS TRIBAL GAMING ORDINANCE CLASS 

I1 GAMING, enacted September 1 1, 1993 ("Gaming Ordinance"), is deficient on two 

items contained in section VII of the Gaming Ordinance; 

WHEREAS, correction of said deficiencies is necessary for the chairman of the 

NIGC's approval of the Gaming Ordinance; 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, ;hat the BAND hereby amends its Gaming . Ordinance as follows: 

1) On page two of the Ordinance, section VII, which now reads "Licenses to 

conduct gaming operations on tribal lands are required for all key employee3 

and bingo managers." Shall be amended to read: 

License to conduct gaming operations on tribal lands are required for each 

place, facility, or locatiofi on the Band's lands where Class I1 gaming occurs. 

In addition, all licenses to conduct gaming operation on tribal lands are required for all key employees and bingo managers. 

2) On page two of the Ordinance, VII.a.1 .D. will be revised in order to delete the 

words in the parentheses. VII,a. 1 .D., which read "custodianof gaming supplies or cash (this does not include floor personnel unless otherwise specifically 

listed in these definitions);'! shall be amended to read: 

VI1.a. 1 .D. custodian of gaming supplies or cash; 
I Date: '\/o & 6 ,1995 

of ~e-~ukvndians of California 

CERTIFICATION 

I hereby certifL that on November, 1995, a duly noticed and convened Tribal 

Council meeting was held in which the above resolution was duly submitted, discussed, 

and adopted by a vote of 5 in favor, o opposed, and o abstaining. 

Dated: I I - ,1995 C 

Ranch Rancheria 

of ~e-~uk Indians of California