[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 159 (Friday, August 18, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39446-39453]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-17534]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Indian Affairs

[178A2100DD/AAKC001030/A0A501010.999900 253G]


Pueblo of Santa Clara Liquor Ordinance; Amendments

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice publishes amendments to the Santa Clara Pueblo 
Liquor Code (Code). The Code regulates the control, possession, and 
sale of liquor on the Santa Clara Pueblo trust lands, in conformity 
with the laws of the State of New Mexico, where applicable and 
necessary.

DATES: The amended Code becomes applicable September 18, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Patricia L. Mattingly, Tribal 
Government Officer, Southwest Regional Office, Bureau of Indian 
Affairs, 1001 Indian School Road NW., Albuquerque, New Mexico 87104, 
Phone: (505) 563-3446; Fax: (602) 563-3101.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Act of August 15, 1953, 
Public Law 83-277, 67 Stat. 586, 18 U.S.C. 1161, as interpreted by the 
Supreme Court in Rice v. Rehner, 463 U.S. 713 (1983), the Secretary of 
the Interior shall certify and publish in the Federal Register notice 
of adopted liquor ordinances for the purpose of regulating liquor 
transactions in Indian country. The Santa Clara Pueblo Liquor Code, 
Resolution No. 2016-113, was duly adopted by the Tribal Council on 
September 12, 2016. The Santa Clara Pueblo, in furtherance of its 
economic and social goals, has taken positive steps to regulate retail 
sales of alcohol and use of revenues to combat alcohol abuse and its 
debilitating effects among individuals and family members within the 
reservation of Santa Clara Pueblo.
    This notice is being published in accordance with the authority 
delegated by the Secretary of the Interior to the Assistant Secretary-
Indian Affairs (Department of Interior-Departmental Manual, 209 DM 8). 
I certify that Resolution No. 2016-113, the Santa Clara Pueblo Liquor 
Code, was duly adopted by the Tribal Council on September 12, 2016. 
This Code amends the previous liquor code as published in the Federal 
Register on June 27, 2001 (66 FR 34233).

    Dated: July 13, 2017.
Michael S. Black,
Acting Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
    The Santa Clara Pueblo Liquor Code is amended to read as follows:

CHAPTER 108--LIQUOR CODE

Subchapter 1: General Provisions.

Sec. 108.1 Findings

    The Tribal Council finds as follows:
    A. The introduction, possession and sale of alcoholic beverages 
into Santa Clara Indian Lands has long been regarded as a matter of 
special concern to the Pueblo, that bears directly on the

[[Page 39447]]

health, welfare and security of the Pueblo and its members; and
    B. Under federal law and New Mexico state law, and as a matter of 
inherent Tribal sovereignty, the question of to what extent and under 
what circumstances alcoholic beverages may be introduced into and sold 
or consumed within Santa Clara Indian Lands is to be decided by the 
governing body of the Tribe; and
    C. It is desirable that the Tribal Council legislate 
comprehensively on the subject of the sale and possession of alcoholic 
beverages within Santa Clara Indian Lands, both to establish a 
consistent and reasonable Tribal policy on this important subject, as 
well as to facilitate economic development projects within Santa Clara 
Indian Lands that may involve outlets for the sale and consumption of 
alcoholic beverages; and
    D. It is the policy of the Tribal Council that the introduction, 
sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages within Santa Clara Indian 
Lands be carefully regulated so as to protect the public health, safety 
and welfare, and that licensees be made fully accountable for 
violations of conditions of their licenses and the consequences 
thereof.

Sec. 108.2 Definitions

    As used in this chapter, the following words shall have the 
following meanings:
    A. ``Pueblo'' or ``Tribe'' means the Pueblo of Santa Clara.
    B. ``Tribal Council'' or ``Council'' means the Tribal Council of 
the Pueblo of Santa Clara.
    C. ``Governor'' means the Governor of the Pueblo of Santa Clara.
    D. ``Administrator'' means the Tax Administrator of the Pueblo of 
Santa Clara.
    E. ``Person'' means any natural person, partnership, corporation, 
joint venture, association, or other legal entity.
    F. ``Sale'' or ``sell'' means any exchange, barter, or other 
transfer of goods from one person to another for commercial purposes, 
whether with or without consideration.
    G. ``Liquor'' or ``Alcoholic Beverage'' includes the four varieties 
of liquor commonly referred to as alcohol, spirits, wine and beer, and 
all fermented, spirituous, vinous or malt liquors or combinations 
thereof, mixed liquor, any part of which is fermented, spirituous, 
vinous, or malt liquor, or any otherwise intoxicating liquid, including 
every liquid or solid or semi-solid or other substance, patented or 
not, containing alcohol, spirits, wine or beer and intended for oral 
consumption.
    H. ``Licensee'' means a person who has been issued a license to 
sell alcoholic beverages on the licensed premises under the provisions 
of this Liquor Code.
    I. ``Licensed Premises'' means the location within Santa Clara 
Indian Lands at which a licensee is permitted to sell and allow the 
consumption of alcoholic beverages, and may, if requested by the 
applicant and approved by the Tribal Council, include any related or 
associated areas or facilities under the control of the licensee, or 
within which the licensee is otherwise authorized to conduct business 
(but subject to any conditions or limitations as to sales within such 
area that may be imposed by the Governor in issuance of the license).
    J. ``Santa Clara Indian Lands'' means all lands within the exterior 
boundaries of the Santa Clara Indian Reservation, all lands within the 
exterior boundaries of the Santa Clara Pueblo Grant, and all other 
lands owned by the Pueblo subject to federal law restrictions on 
alienation or held by the United States for the use and benefit of the 
Pueblo.
    K. ``Special Event'' means a bona fide special occasion such as a 
fair, fiesta, show, tournament, contest, meeting, picnic or similar 
event held on Santa Clara Indian Lands that is sponsored by an 
established business or non-governmental organization, lasting no more 
than three days. A special event may be open to the public or to a 
designated group, and it may be a one-time event or periodic, provided, 
however, that such events held more than four times a year by the same 
business or organization shall not be deemed special events for 
purposes of this Liquor Code.
    L. ``Server'' means an individual who sells, serves or dispenses 
alcoholic beverages for consumption on or off licensed premises, and 
including persons who manage, direct or control the sale or service of 
such beverages.
    M. ``Liquor Code'' means the Santa Clara Pueblo Liquor Code, this 
chapter.

Sec. 108.3 Sovereign Immunity

    Nothing in the Liquor Code shall be construed as a waiver or 
limitation of the sovereign immunity of the Pueblo.

Sec. 108.4 Initial Compliance

    No person shall be disqualified from being issued a license under 
the provisions of this Liquor Code, or shall be found to have violated 
any provision of this Liquor Code, solely because such person, having 
been duly authorized to engage in the sale of alcoholic beverages 
within Santa Clara Indian Lands under the law as it existed prior to 
enactment of this Liquor Code, continues to engage in such business 
without a license issued under the provisions of this Liquor Code after 
the effective date hereof, so long as such person complies with the 
provisions of this Section. Within 90 days after the effective date of 
this Liquor Code (or within 30 days after receiving written notice from 
the Pueblo of the enactment of the Liquor Code, whichever is later) any 
person who is licensed to sell alcoholic beverages within Santa Clara 
Pueblo Indian Lands under the law as it existed prior to the enactment 
of this Liquor Code shall submit an application for a license under the 
provisions of this Liquor Code. Upon the issuance of a license under 
the provisions of this Liquor Code to such person, or upon the 
rejection of an application for such license by such person, no license 
issued by the State of New Mexico or issued under the provisions of any 
prior law of the Pueblo that is held by such person, or that purports 
to authorize the possession, sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages 
on premises covered by a license issued (or a license application 
rejected) under the provisions of this Liquor Code, shall have any 
further validity or effect within Santa Clara Indian Lands.

Sec. 108.5 Severability

    In the event any provision of this Liquor Code is held invalid or 
unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of 
the Code shall continue in full force and effect, notwithstanding the 
invalidity or unenforceability of such provision, to the fullest extent 
practicable.

Sec. 108.6 Issuance of Regulations

    The Administrator shall have the authority to issue such 
regulations, consistent with the provisions of this Liquor Code, as may 
be helpful to the effective administration of the Liquor Code, provided 
that such regulations shall be provided to the Tribal Council no less 
than 90 days prior to their effective date. If the Council votes to 
reject the regulations, or any particular provisions thereof, within 
such 90-day time period, the regulations, or such provisions as were 
rejected, shall not take effect.

Subchapter 2: Sale, Possession and Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages.

Sec. 108.7 Prohibition

    The sale, introduction for sale, purchase, or other commercial 
dealing in alcoholic beverages, except as is specifically authorized by 
the Liquor Code, is prohibited within Santa Clara Indian Lands.

[[Page 39448]]

Sec. 108.8 Possession for Personal Use

    Possession of alcoholic beverages for personal use shall be lawful 
within Santa Clara Indian Lands only if such alcoholic beverages were 
lawfully purchased from an establishment duly licensed to sell such 
beverages, whether on or off Santa Clara Indian Lands, and are 
possessed by a person or persons 21 years of age or older. Such 
possession is otherwise prohibited.

Sec. 108.9 Transportation Through Reservation Not Affected

    Nothing herein shall pertain to the otherwise lawful transportation 
of alcoholic beverages through Santa Clara Indian Lands by persons 
remaining upon public highways (or other paved public facilities for 
motor vehicles) and where such beverages are not delivered, sold or 
offered for sale to anyone within Santa Clara Indian Lands.

Sec. 108.10 Requirement of Public License

    No person shall sell any alcoholic beverage within Santa Clara 
Indian Lands, or offer any such beverage for sale, unless such person 
holds a license issued by the Pueblo under the provisions of this 
chapter that is in effect, or unless such person holds a license 
authorizing such sales issued by the State of New Mexico that is in 
effect.

Sec. 108.11 All Sales for Personal Use

    No person licensed to sell alcoholic beverages within Santa Clara 
Indian Lands shall sell any such beverage for resale, but all such 
sales shall be for the personal use of the purchaser. Nothing herein 
shall prohibit a duly licensed wholesale dealer in alcoholic beverages 
from selling and delivering such beverages to properly licensed 
retailers within Santa Clara Indian Lands, so long as such sales and 
deliveries are otherwise in conformity with the laws of the State of 
New Mexico and this Liquor Code, and so long as such wholesale dealer 
registers with the Administrator and pays any taxes due on such sales.

Sec. 108.12 Package Sales and Sales of Liquor by the Drink Permitted

    Sales of alcoholic beverages on Santa Clara Indian Lands may be in 
package form or for consumption on the premises, or both, so long as 
the seller is properly licensed by the Pueblo to make sales of that 
type. No seller of alcoholic beverages shall permit any person to 
consume, on premises where liquor by the drink is authorized to be 
sold, any alcoholic beverages purchased elsewhere by the consumer, 
except that a restaurant holding a premises license may allow a 
customer who is ordering a meal, and who is legally entitled to consume 
alcoholic beverages, to bring onto the premises one or more bottles of 
wine that were legally acquired elsewhere and came from a New Mexico 
licensed wholesaler (but not to exceed one bottle per person at the 
table), for consumption with such customer's meal, provided that any 
such bottle is opened by an employee of the restaurant who is legally 
entitled to serve alcoholic beverages, and the restaurant may charge a 
corkage fee for each such bottle opened.

Sec. 108.13 No Sales to Minors

    No alcoholic beverages may be sold within Santa Clara Indian Lands 
to any person under the age of 21 years.

Sec. 108.14 Hours and Days of Sale

    Alcoholic beverages may be sold, offered for sale, delivered or 
consumed on licensed premises within Santa Clara Indian Lands every day 
during the following hours:
    A. From 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 midnight; and
    B. From 12:00 midnight of the previous day until 2:00 a.m.; 
provided, however, that any such sales made between 12:00 midnight and 
2:00 a.m. shall only be for consumption on the premises, and may only 
be made by a licensee holding a premises license.

Sec. 108.15 Sales on Election Day

    [Repealed.]

Sec. 108.16 Other Prohibitions on Sales

    The Tribal Council may, by duly enacted resolution, establish other 
days on which or times at which sales or consumption of alcoholic 
beverages are not permitted within Santa Clara Indian Lands, or 
specified portions thereof. The Council shall give notice of any such 
enactment promptly to all licensees within Santa Clara Indian Lands. In 
addition, the Governor of the Pueblo may, in the event of a bona fide 
emergency, and by written order, prohibit the sale of any alcoholic 
beverages within Santa Clara Indian Lands, or any specified portions 
thereof, for a period of time not to exceed 48 hours. The Governor 
shall give prompt notice of such emergency order to all licensees 
within Santa Clara Indian Lands. No such emergency order may extend 
beyond 48 hours, unless during that time the Tribal Council meets and 
determines by resolution that the emergency requires a further 
extension of such order.

Sec. 108.17 Location of Sales, Consumption

    No person licensed to sell alcoholic beverages within Santa Clara 
Indian Lands shall make such sales except at the licensed premises 
specifically designated in such license. No person holding only a 
premises license shall permit alcoholic beverages purchased from such 
licensee for consumption on the premises to be consumed off of the 
licensed premises; except that nothing herein shall prohibit a premises 
licensee that is a restaurant from permitting a customer who has 
purchased a bottle of wine with a meal, but only partially consumed the 
contents of such bottle, from taking the partially consumed bottle off 
of the premises, after such bottle has been recorked by the licensee 
and placed in a sealed bag, to which a receipt for the purchase of the 
bottle has been affixed.

Sec. 108.18 Sales to be Made by Adults

    No person shall take any order, make any delivery, or accept 
payment for any sale of alcoholic beverages within Santa Clara Indian 
Lands, or otherwise have any direct involvement in any such sale, who 
is less than 21 years of age.

Sec. 108.19 All Sales Cash

    No licensee shall make any sale of any alcoholic beverages within 
Santa Clara Indian Lands without receiving payment therefor by cash, 
check, credit card or cash equivalent, such as, in the case of a 
licensee that is a gaming establishment, chips, or player's club points 
in accordance with policies of the licensee applicable to the 
redemption of such points, at or about the time the sale is made; 
provided, that nothing herein shall preclude a licensee from receiving 
a delivery of alcoholic beverages from a duly authorized wholesaler 
where arrangements have been made to pay for such delivery at a 
different time; and provided further that nothing herein shall preclude 
a licensee from allowing a customer to purchase more than one alcoholic 
beverage in sequence, and to pay for all such purchases at the 
conclusion thereof, so long as payment is made in full before the 
customer has left the licensed premises; and provided further that 
nothing herein shall prevent a licensee from distributing alcoholic 
beverages to customers without charge, so long as such distribution is 
not otherwise in violation of any provision of this Liquor Code.

[[Page 39449]]

Sec. 108.20 Nuisances Prohibited

    No licensee shall knowingly conduct its business in such a 
location, or in such a manner, or at such times of day or night, as to 
amount to a nuisance, in that such activity is injurious to public 
health, safety or morals, or interferes with the exercise and enjoyment 
of public rights, including the right to use public property.

Subchapter 3: Licensing and Regulation

Sec. 108.21 Requirement of License

    [Repealed.]

Sec. 108.22 Classes of Licenses

    The following types or classes of licenses for the sale or 
distribution of alcoholic beverages within Santa Clara Indian Lands 
shall be permitted:
    A. Package license, which shall authorize the licensee to store, 
possess, sell and offer for sale alcoholic beverages in sealed 
containers, for consumption only off of the licensed premises.
    B. Premises license, which shall authorize the licensee to store, 
possess and sell alcoholic beverages in open containers, for 
consumption on the licensed premises only, and to permit such 
consumption on the licensed premises only.
    C. Special event license, which shall authorize the licensee to 
possess, distribute, sell and offer for sale alcoholic beverages for 
consumption only on the licensed premises, and to permit such 
consumption on the licensed premises only, but only for a bona fide 
special event, and only during the period or periods specified in such 
license, which period or periods shall be limited to the periods during 
which the special event is occurring and from beginning to end shall 
not exceed 72 hours.

Sec. 108.23 Prohibited Zone

    Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, no license 
shall be issued under the provisions of this Liquor Code for any 
location as the proposed licensed premises that is within the 
geographical area encompassed by Sections 9, 10, 15 and 16, Township 20 
North, Range 8 East, New Mexico Principal Meridian, and the area 
located south of said Sections 15 and 16, bounded on the east by the 
Rio Grande and on the west by the right-of-way line for NM Rte. 30, to 
the south boundary of the Santa Clara Pueblo Grant. The area described 
herein from which licenses are excluded is hereinafter referred to as 
the ``Prohibited Zone.''

Sec. 108.24 Qualifications for License

    A. No person shall be entitled to be issued a license under the 
provisions of this Liquor Code who has previously been the subject of 
any proceeding resulting in the revocation of any license for the sale 
of alcoholic beverages issued by the Pueblo or by any state or other 
jurisdiction, or who has been convicted of any felony in any 
jurisdiction involving theft, dishonesty, corruption, embezzlement or 
violation of laws regulating the sale, possession and use of alcoholic 
beverages, or who (if a natural person) has not at the time the 
application for license is submitted attained the age of 25 years, or 
who is otherwise determined by the Pueblo to be unfit to be licensed to 
sell alcoholic beverages, or (if a natural person) whose spouse is a 
person not qualified to hold a license under the provisions of this 
section.
    B. No partnership, corporation or other legal entity shall be 
entitled to be issued a license under the provisions of this Liquor 
Code if any individual occupying any management or supervisory position 
within such entity, or who sits on the management committee or board of 
directors or trustees thereof, or who holds or controls a financial 
interest of ten percent or more in such entity, is a person who would 
not be entitled to be issued a license under the provisions of this 
section.
    C. No person shall be entitled to be issued a package or premises 
license hereunder unless such person owns, or has an approved lease or 
other valid interest in, land within Santa Clara Indian Lands, is 
lawfully entitled to engage in a business on such land with which such 
license would be compatible, and can demonstrate that such person is 
otherwise capable of complying with all of the requirements imposed on 
licensees by this Liquor Code.
    D. An applicant for a package or premises license hereunder, 
including, if the applicant is not a natural person, each principal in 
the applicant entity who will have any direct involvement in the 
proposed business, must have successfully completed within the three 
years preceding the date of the application an alcohol server education 
program and examination that is approved by the director of the New 
Mexico Alcohol and Gaming Division.
    E. Notwithstanding anything in this section to the contrary, the 
Pueblo and its wholly owned commercial entities shall be entitled to be 
issued licenses hereunder upon application therefor to the 
Administrator, provided that all other provisions of this Liquor Code 
are complied with.

Sec. 108.25 Package and Premises License Application; Procedure; Fees

    A. Every person seeking a package or premises license under the 
provisions of this Liquor Code (other than the Pueblo or any of its 
wholly owned commercial entities) shall submit to the Administrator a 
written application, under oath, in the form prescribed by and 
containing the information required by this section.
    B. If the applicant is a natural person, the application shall 
contain, at a minimum, all of the following information:
    1. The full legal name of the applicant, plus any other names under 
which the applicant has been known or done business during the previous 
20 years, and the applicant's date and place of birth, as shown by a 
certified copy of the applicant's birth certificate.
    2. The applicant's current legal residence address and business 
address, if any, and every residence address that the applicant has 
maintained during the previous ten years, with the dates during which 
each such address was current.
    3. The trade name, business address and description of every 
business in which the applicant has engaged or had any interest (other 
than stock ownership or partnership interest amounting to less than 
five percent of total capital) during the previous ten years, and the 
dates during which the applicant engaged in or held an interest in any 
such business.
    4. A listing of every other jurisdiction in which the applicant has 
ever applied for a license to sell or distribute alcoholic beverages, 
the date on which each such application was filed, the name of the 
regulatory agency with which the application was filed, the action 
taken on each such application, and if any such license was issued, the 
dates during which it remained in effect, and as to each such license a 
statement whether any action was ever taken by the regulatory body to 
suspend or revoke such license, with full dates and details of any such 
incident.
    5. A listing of every crime with which the applicant has ever been 
charged, other than routine traffic offenses (but including any charge 
of driving while intoxicated or the like), giving as to each the date 
on which the charge was made, the location, the jurisdiction, the court 
in which the matter was heard, and the outcome or ultimate disposition 
thereof.
    6. The name and address of every person or entity holding any 
security

[[Page 39450]]

interest in any of the assets of the business to be conducted by the 
applicant, or in any of the proceeds of such business.
    7. A detailed plat of the applicant's business premises within 
Santa Clara Indian Lands including the floor plans of any structure and 
the details of any exterior areas intended to be part of the licensed 
premises, together with evidence of the applicant's right to conduct 
business on such premises.
    8. A detailed description of the business conducted or intended to 
be conducted on the licensed premises, and including (but not limited 
to) hours of operation and number of employees.
    9. The type(s) of license(s) requested.
    C. If the applicant is a corporation, the corporation, each officer 
of the corporation and every person holding 10% or more of the 
outstanding stock in the corporation shall submit an application 
complying with the provisions of paragraph B of this section, and in 
addition, the applicant shall also submit the following:
    1. A certified copy of its Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.
    2. The names and addresses of all officers and directors and those 
stockholders owning 5% or more of the voting stock of the corporation, 
and the amount of stock held by each such stockholder.
    3. The name of the resident agent of the corporation who would be 
authorized to accept service of process, including orders and notices 
issued by the Pueblo, and who will have principal supervisory 
responsibility for the business to be conducted on the licensed 
premises.
    4. Such additional information regarding the corporation as the 
Administrator may require to assure a full disclosure of the 
corporation's structure and financial responsibility.
    D. If the applicant is a partnership, or a limited liability 
corporation (``LLC''), the partnership or LLC, the managing partner or 
manager and every person or entity having an interest amounting to 10% 
or more of the total equity interest in the partnership or LLC shall 
submit an application complying with the provisions of paragraph B of 
this section, and in addition, the applicant shall submit the 
following:
    1. A certified copy of the Partnership Agreement or, in the case of 
an LLC, the Articles of Organization and Operating Agreement.
    2. The names and addresses of all general partners and of all 
limited partners contributing 10% or more of the total value of 
contributions made to the limited partnership or who are entitled to 
10% or more of any distributions of the limited partnership; and in the 
case of an LLC, the names and addresses of every person or entity 
holding an ownership interest of 10% or more.
    3. The name and address of the partner, manager or other agent of 
the partnership or LLC who or which is authorized to accept service of 
process, including orders and notices issued by the Pueblo, and who 
will have principal supervisory responsibility for the business to be 
conducted in the licensed premises.
    4. Such additional information regarding the partnership or LLC as 
the Administrator may require to assure a full disclosure of the 
partnership's or LLC's structure and financial responsibility.
    E. Every applicant who is a natural person, and every person 
required by paragraphs C or D of this section to comply with the 
provisions of paragraph B, shall also submit with the application a 
complete set of fingerprints, taken under the supervision of and 
certified to by an officer of an authorized law enforcement agency 
located within the State of New Mexico.
    F. The applicant shall also submit proof that applicant, if a 
natural person, and every person who will be directly involved in the 
sale or service of alcoholic beverages as part of the applicant's 
business, has successfully completed, within the three years next 
preceding the date of the application, an alcohol server education 
program and examination approved by the director of the New Mexico 
Alcohol and Gaming Division.
    G. Every applicant for either a package license or a premises 
license shall submit with the completed license application a non-
refundable license processing fee, in the amount set forth below:

Package license--$5,000.00
Premises license--$1,000.00

In addition, each such applicant shall pay a fee to cover the cost of a 
background investigation, in an amount to be set by the Administrator 
from time to time, but which shall not exceed the sum of $1000.00.
    H. Upon receiving a completed license application together with the 
required fees, the Administrator shall cause a background investigation 
to be performed of the applicant, to determine whether the applicant is 
qualified to be licensed under the provisions of this Liquor Code. Upon 
the written recommendation of the Administrator (if requested by the 
applicant), the Tribal Council may, in its discretion, approve the 
issuance of a preliminary license to the applicant effective for a 
period of no more than 90 days, but which shall be renewable for one 
additional period of 90 days in the event the background investigation 
cannot be completed within the first 90-day period; provided, however, 
that in no event shall the issuance of a preliminary license, or the 
renewal of such license for an additional 90-day period, entitle the 
applicant to favorable consideration with respect to the application 
for a package or premises license.
    I. The Pueblo or any of its wholly owned commercial entities may 
apply for a package or premises license by submitting an application to 
the Administrator identifying the applicant, describing in detail the 
purpose of the license, including a detailed description of the 
proposed licensed premises, and including the appropriate fee as set 
forth in Paragraph G of this section.

Sec. 108.26 Action on Application

    A. Upon making a determination that an applicant for a package or 
premises license satisfies the requirements of this chapter, the 
Administrator shall prepare a written recommendation for the issuance 
of such license, setting forth sufficient information about the 
applicant, the proposed business, and any other matters deemed relevant 
by the Administrator, to enable the Tribal Council to evaluate the 
merits of the license, together with any and all supporting data deemed 
suitable by the Administrator. The recommendation shall include a 
detailed description of the proposed leased premises, and any 
limitations or conditions the Administrator recommends be included in 
the license. The Administrator shall deliver the recommendation to the 
Governor, who shall place the matter on the agenda for the Tribal 
Council's next regular meeting that is at least fifteen days after the 
recommendation was received by the Governor, and shall give written 
notice thereof to the Administrator and the applicant, and to the 
public. The Governor shall provide a complete copy of the 
Administrator's recommendation, with all supporting documentation, to 
each member of the Tribal Council, by no later than ten days before the 
meeting at which the matter is to be heard.
    B. The Tribal Council shall take up the Administrator's 
recommendation at its next regular meeting. The Administrator shall 
explain the application and the basis for his or her recommendation, 
and the applicant shall be permitted to speak in favor of the 
application. Any interested member of the public may also be heard on 
the

[[Page 39451]]

matter. The Tribal Council shall vote either to approve or deny the 
application, and if it votes to approve the license, it shall specify 
whether the Administrator's recommendations as to the description of 
the licensed premises and any limitations or conditions on the license 
are accepted, rejected, or modified, and may add any additional 
limitations or conditions it deems appropriate.
    C. If the Administrator concludes that the applicant is not 
qualified for a license under the provisions of Section 108.24 of this 
chapter, or that the application is otherwise not allowable under the 
provisions of this chapter, he or she shall give written notice to the 
applicant that the license is rejected, by certified mail, return 
receipt requested. The applicant may appeal that decision to the Tribal 
Council, by delivering written notice of such appeal to the office of 
the Governor, with a copy to the Administrator, within thirty days of 
the date the notice of rejection was received. Upon receipt of the 
notice of appeal, the Governor shall set the matter for hearing before 
the Tribal Council at a regular meeting that is no less than thirty 
days, but no more than forty-five days, from the date of receipt of the 
notice. The Governor shall send written notice to the applicant and the 
Administrator of the date and time the appeal is to be heard, and shall 
give such notice to the public.
    D. By no less than fifteen days before the hearing, the 
Administrator shall prepare and submit to the Governor a report 
explaining in detail the basis for his or her decision to reject the 
application, to which shall be attached the complete application 
submitted by the applicant and any additional information concerning 
the application obtained by the Administrator. By the same deadline, 
the applicant may submit to the Governor its argument in support of the 
application, together with such documents as the applicant deems 
relevant. The Governor shall provide each member of the Council with 
complete copies of both submissions by no less than ten days before the 
date of the hearing.
    E. At the hearing on the applicant's appeal, the applicant or its 
representative shall present argument in favor of the application, and 
the Administrator or his or her representative shall present argument 
in favor of the Administrator's decision. The Council may permit 
members of the public to speak. The Council shall vote either to uphold 
or reverse the Administrator's decision on the application. If the 
Council votes to reverse the decision, and to approve the application, 
it shall further determine whether any limitations or conditions should 
be attached to the license.
    F. In the event the Council approves the issuance of a license, the 
Administrator shall issue the license forthwith, incorporating therein 
any limitations or conditions thereon approved by the Tribal Council.

Sec. 108.27 Term; Renewal; Fee

    A. Each package or premises license issued hereunder shall have a 
term of one (1) year from the date of issuance, provided that such 
license shall be renewable for additional periods of one year each by 
any licensee who has complied fully with the terms and provisions of 
the license and of this Liquor Code during the term of the license, and 
who remains fully qualified to be licensed under the provisions of 
Section 108.24 of this Chapter. A licensee who is eligible for renewal 
of his or her license shall submit to the Administrator an application 
for renewal on a form specified by the Administrator, together with 
proof that the licensee and each person employed by the licensee as a 
server has successfully completed, within the past five years, an 
alcohol server education program and examination approved by the 
director of the New Mexico Alcohol and Gaming Division, and a license 
renewal fee in the amount of $500.00, no less than thirty (30) days 
prior to the expiration date of the license.
    B. The failure to submit a timely renewal application, with the 
required fee, may subject the licensee to a late charge of $500.00. If 
the renewal application is not submitted prior to expiration of the 
license, the Administrator may treat the license as having expired, and 
may require the licensee to file a new application in compliance with 
Section 108.25 of this chapter.
    C. The Administrator may, in his or her discretion, conduct an 
update on the applicant's background investigation prior to acting on 
any renewal application, and the Administrator shall update such 
investigation prior to issuing a third renewal of a license since the 
last such investigation was performed, or if the Administrator has 
acquired information indicating that the applicant is not qualified for 
a license under the provisions of Section 108.24 of this chapter. 
Whenever any such investigation is performed, the Administrator shall 
require the applicant to pay an additional fee to cover the costs of 
such investigation, in an amount to be determined by the Administrator 
but in no event in excess of the sum of $1000.00.
    D. The Administrator may refuse to approve a renewal of a license 
in the event a background investigation reveals facts that would 
disqualify the applicant from being licensed under this Liquor Code, or 
if the Administrator determines that the licensee has operated in a 
manner violative of the provisions of this chapter. In that event, the 
applicant shall have the right to appeal the Administrator's decision 
to the Tribal Council, which appeal shall be governed by and conducted 
in accordance with the same requirements and procedures that apply an 
appeal of a denial of an original application, as set forth in Section 
108.26 (C), (D), and (E) of this chapter.

Sec. 108.28 Conditions of License

    No licensee shall have any property interest in any license issued 
under the provisions of this Liquor Code, and every such license shall 
be deemed to confer a non-transferable privilege, revocable by the 
Pueblo in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter. The continued 
validity of every package and premises license issued hereunder shall 
be dependent upon the following conditions:
    A. Every representation made by the licensee and any of its 
officers, directors, shareholders, partners or other persons required 
to submit information in support of the application, shall have been 
true at the time such information was submitted, and shall continue to 
be true, except to the extent the licensee advises the Administrator in 
writing of any change in any such information, and notwithstanding any 
such change, the licensee shall continue to be qualified to be licensed 
under the provisions of this Liquor Code.
    B. The licensee shall at all times conduct its business on Santa 
Clara Indian Lands in full compliance with the provisions of this 
Liquor Code and with the other laws of the Pueblo.
    C. The licensee shall maintain in force, public liability insurance 
covering the licensed premises, insuring the licensee and the Pueblo 
against any claims, losses or liability whatsoever for any acts or 
omissions of the licensee or of any business invitee on the licensed 
premises resulting in injury, loss or damage to any other party, with 
coverage limits of at least $1 million per injured person, and the 
Administrator shall at all times have written evidence of the continued 
existence of such policy of insurance.
    D. The licensee shall be lawfully entitled to engage in business 
within Santa Clara Indian Lands, and shall have paid all required 
rentals,

[[Page 39452]]

assessments, taxes, or other payments due the Pueblo.
    E. The business conducted on the licensed premises shall be 
conducted by the licensee or its employees directly, and shall not be 
conducted by any lessee, sublessee, assignee or other transferee, nor 
shall any license issued hereunder or any interest therein be sold, 
assigned, leased or otherwise transferred to any other person.
    F. All alcoholic beverages sold on the licensed premises shall have 
been obtained from a New Mexico licensed wholesaler.
    G. No person shall be employed by the licensee as a server who has 
not, within the past five years, successfully completed an alcohol 
server education program and examination approved by the director of 
the New Mexico Alcohol and Gaming Division.
    H. No licensee shall sell, serve or deliver any alcoholic beverage 
to a customer through a drive-up window, or otherwise to a customer who 
at the time of the transaction is in a motor vehicle.
    I. By having applied for and obtained a license hereunder, the 
licensee shall be deemed to have submitted to the jurisdiction of the 
Tribal Court of the Pueblo with respect to any action brought by the 
Pueblo or any of its agencies or offices to enforce the provisions of 
this Liquor Code or any other provision of tribal law, or by any person 
claiming to have suffered loss or damage due to any act or omission of 
the licensee in the course of the conduct of its business on Santa 
Clara Indian Lands.

Sec. 108.29 Sanctions for Violation of License

    A. Upon determining that any person licensed by the Pueblo to sell 
alcoholic beverages under the provisions of the Liquor Code is for any 
reason no longer qualified to hold such license under the provisions of 
Section 108.24 of the Liquor Code, or has violated any of the 
conditions set forth in Section 108.28, the Administrator shall 
immediately serve written notice upon such licensee directing that he 
show cause within ten calendar days why his license should not be 
suspended or revoked, or a fine imposed, or both. The notice shall 
specify the precise grounds relied upon and the action proposed.
    B. If the licensee fails to respond to such notice within ten 
calendar days of service of such notice, the Administrator shall issue 
an order suspending the license for such period as the Administrator 
deems appropriate, or revoking the license, effective immediately, or 
imposing a fine, in such amount as the Administrator deems reasonable. 
The licensee may request a hearing on such notice, by filing a written 
response and a request for hearing, within the ten-day period, with the 
Administrator and with the Clerk of the Santa Clara Tribal Court. The 
hearing shall be held before the Tribal Court, no later than 30 
calendar days after receipt of such request, unless the Court for good 
cause extends such time period.
    C. At the hearing, the Administrator shall have the burden to prove 
facts supporting the contentions set forth in the notice, and 
justifying the sanctions proposed in the notice. The licensee shall 
have the right to present its evidence in response.
    D. The Court after considering all of the evidence and arguments 
shall issue a written decision, within fifteen days after the hearing 
concludes, either upholding the proposed action of the Administrator, 
modifying such action by imposing some lesser penalty, or ruling in 
favor of the licensee, and such decision shall be final and conclusive.

Sec. 108.30 Special Event License

    A. Any established business or any non-governmental organization 
that includes any member of the Pueblo, that has authority to conduct 
any activities within Santa Clara Indian Lands and that is not a 
licensee hereunder, may apply to the Administrator for a special event 
license, which shall entitle the applicant to distribute alcoholic 
beverages, whether or not for consideration, in connection with a bona 
fide special event to be held by the applicant within Santa Clara 
Indian Lands. Any such application must be filed in writing, in a form 
prescribed by the Administrator, no later than 45 calendar days prior 
to the event, must be accompanied by a fee in the amount of $50.00, and 
must contain at least the following information:
    1. The nature and purpose of the event, the identity of the 
applicant and its relationship to the event, and a description of the 
persons who are invited to participate in the event, including their 
ages;
    2. The precise location within Santa Clara Indian Lands where the 
event will occur, and where alcoholic beverages will be distributed, no 
part of which shall be within the Prohibited Zone;
    3. The exact days and times during which the event will occur 
(provided, that in no event shall any license be in effect for a period 
exceeding 72 hours, from the beginning of the first day of the event 
until the end of the last day);
    4. The nature of any food and beverages to be distributed, and the 
manner in which such distribution shall occur;
    5. Details of all provisions made by the applicant for sanitation, 
security and other measures to protect the health and welfare of 
participants at the event;
    6. Certification that the event will be covered by a policy of 
public liability insurance as described in Section 108.28 (C) of this 
Liquor Code, that includes the Pueblo as a co-insured.
    7. Any other information required by the Administrator relative to 
the event.
    B. The Administrator shall review the application, and shall 
prepare a written recommendation as to whether the application should 
be approved or denied, and whether it should be conditioned or limited 
in any respect, by no later than ten days following receipt of the 
complete application, which recommendation, together with any 
supporting documents, shall be delivered to the office of the Governor.
    C. The Governor shall place the application on the agenda of the 
next regular Tribal Council meeting that is at least fifteen days after 
the Administrator's recommendation is received, and shall give written 
notice of the date and time of such meeting to the applicant and the 
Administrator. The Governor shall provide complete copies of the 
Administrator's recommendation to each member of the Council by no 
later than ten days before the meeting. The Tribal Council shall hear 
presentations from the applicant and the administrator on the 
application, and shall vote to approve or reject the application. If 
the Council votes to approve the application, it shall also decide 
whether the license should be conditioned or limited in any fashion. If 
the application is approved, the Administrator shall issue the license, 
including any conditions or limitations approved by the Council, and 
specifying the hours during which and the premises within which sales, 
distribution and consumption of alcoholic beverages may occur.
    D. Alcoholic beverages may be sold or distributed pursuant to a 
special event license only at the location and during the hours 
specified in such license, in connection with the special event, only 
to participants in such special event, and only for consumption on the 
premises described in the license. Such sales or distribution must 
comply with any conditions imposed by the license, and with all other 
applicable provisions of this Liquor Code. All such alcoholic beverages 
must have been obtained from a New Mexico licensed wholesaler or 
retailer.

[[Page 39453]]

Sec. 108.31 Display of License

    Every person licensed by the Pueblo to sell alcoholic beverages 
within Santa Clara Indian Lands shall prominently display the license 
on the licensed premises during hours of operation.

Sec. 108.32 Alcoholism Treatment Tax

    There is hereby imposed a tax, that is in addition to any other 
applicable tax, in the amount of two percent of the gross receipts of 
each licensee from sales of alcoholic beverages, which shall be paid 
monthly by each licensee to the Administrator. The proceeds of this tax 
shall be maintained by the Administrator in a special fund, which shall 
be utilized solely to fund programs for the prevention and treatment of 
alcoholism and related problems, as determined from time to time by the 
Tribal Council. The Administrator may, by the issuance of appropriate 
regulations, establish procedures for the enforcement of this Section.

Subchapter 4: Offenses

Sec. 108.33 Purchase From or Sale to Unauthorized Persons

    Within Santa Clara Indian Lands, no person shall purchase any 
alcoholic beverage at retail except from a person licensed by the 
Pueblo under the provisions of this title; no person except a person 
licensed by the Pueblo under the provisions of this title shall sell 
any alcoholic beverage at retail; nor shall any person sell any 
alcoholic beverage for resale within Santa Clara Indian Lands to any 
person other than a person properly licensed by the Pueblo under the 
provisions of this chapter.

Sec. 108.34 Sale to Minors

    A. No person shall sell or provide any alcoholic beverage to any 
person under the age of 21 years.
    B. It shall be a defense to an alleged violation of this Section 
that the purchaser presented to the seller an apparently valid 
identification document showing the purchaser's age to be 21 years or 
older, and that the seller had no actual or constructive knowledge of 
the falsity of the identification document and relied in good faith on 
its apparent validity.

Sec. 108.35 Purchase by Minor

    No person under the age of 21 years shall purchase, attempt to 
purchase or possess any alcoholic beverage.

Sec. 108.36 Sale to Person Under the Influence of Alcohol

    No person shall sell any alcoholic beverage to a person who the 
seller has reason to believe is under the influence of alcohol or who 
the seller has reason to believe intends to provide such alcoholic 
beverage to a person under the influence of alcohol.

Sec. 108.37 Purchase by Person Under the Influence of Alcohol

    No person under the influence of alcohol shall purchase any 
alcoholic beverage.

Sec. 108.38 Bringing Liquor Onto Licensed Premises

    No person shall bring any alcoholic beverage for personal 
consumption onto any premises within Santa Clara Indian Lands where 
liquor is authorized to be sold by the drink, unless such beverage was 
purchased on such premises, or unless the possession or distribution of 
such beverages on such premises is otherwise licensed under the 
provisions of this Liquor Code.

Sec. 108.39 Use of False or Altered Identification

    No person shall purchase or attempt to purchase any alcoholic 
beverage by the use of any false or altered identification document 
that falsely purports to show the individual to be 21 years of age or 
older.

Sec. 108.40 Penalties

    A. Any person convicted of committing any violation of this Chapter 
shall be subject to punishment of up to one (1) year imprisonment or a 
fine not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or to both such 
imprisonment and fine.
    B. Any person not a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe, 
upon committing any violation of any provision of this Chapter, may be 
subject to a civil action for trespass, and upon having been determined 
by the court to have committed the alleged violation, shall be found to 
have trespassed upon the Lands of the Pueblo, and shall be assessed 
such damages as the court deems appropriate in the circumstances.
    C. Any person suspected of having violated any provision of this 
Chapter shall, in addition to any other penalty imposed hereunder, be 
required to surrender any alcoholic beverages in such person's 
possession to the officer making the arrest or issuing the complaint.

Sec. 108.41 Jurisdiction

    Any and all actions, whether civil or criminal, pertaining to 
alleged violations of this title, or seeking any relief against the 
Pueblo or any officer or employee of the Pueblo with respect to any 
matter addressed by this Liquor Code, shall be brought in the Tribal 
Court of the Pueblo, which court shall have exclusive jurisdiction 
thereof.

[FR Doc. 2017-17534 Filed 8-17-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4337-15-P