Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SJR58 Latest Draft

Bill / Introduced Version Filed 02/25/2025

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                            89R11878 BEE-F
 By: Gutierrez S.J.R. No. 58




 A JOINT RESOLUTION
 proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the Kickapoo
 Traditional Tribe of Texas to conduct gaming by executing a gaming
 compact with this state; providing for occupational licensing
 under the compact; limiting certain taxes and fees.
 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 SECTION 1.  Section 47(a), Article III, Texas Constitution,
 is amended to read as follows:
 (a)  The Legislature shall pass laws prohibiting lotteries
 and gift enterprises in this State other than those authorized by
 Subsections (b), (d), (d-1), and (e) of this section and Section 47a
 of this article.
 SECTION 2.  Article III, Texas Constitution, is amended by
 adding Section 47a to read as follows:
 Sec. 47a.  (a) The chairman of the federally recognized
 Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas may execute a gaming compact
 containing the terms set forth in Subsection (c) of this section on
 receipt of a duly enacted resolution of the tribe's governing body
 authorizing the chairman to execute the compact and on provision of
 a copy of the resolution to the governor of this state. The
 governor is not required to take any further action before the
 gaming compact becomes effective.  The executed gaming compact
 constitutes a gaming compact between this state and the Kickapoo
 Traditional Tribe of Texas for purposes of the federal Indian
 Gaming Regulatory Act (Pub. L. No. 100-497). The tribe is
 responsible for:
 (1)  providing a copy of the executed compact to the
 governor; and
 (2)  submitting a copy of the executed compact to the
 United States Secretary of the Interior for approval and
 publication in the Federal Register.
 (b)  If, after January 1, 2025, video lottery terminals, slot
 machines, or other forms of gaming not otherwise authorized before
 that date are authorized under state law within 200 miles of the
 boundary of the reservation of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of
 Texas near Eagle Pass, Texas, the tribe is authorized to offer the
 same types of games or devices, including any form of mobile gaming,
 as authorized under state law at a location the tribe designates.
 The number of games or devices authorized at the location is equal
 to any maximum number of games or devices authorized under state law
 for other gaming locations. The location must be on land in this
 state owned or leased by the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas.
 The gaming authorized under this subsection shall be regulated by
 the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas and the Secretary of State.
 A rule on gaming conducted by the tribe that this state adopts may
 not be more restrictive than a rule applicable to other comparable
 types of gaming licensed by this state. A tax rate or fee may not be
 imposed on the tribe's gaming operations in an amount that exceeds
 the amount of a tax rate or fee imposed on the operators of other
 gaming locations or facilities in this state.
 (c)  A gaming compact executed under Subsection (a) of this
 section must be in the form and contain the provisions as follows:
 THE KICKAPOO TRADITIONAL TRIBE OF TEXAS AND THE STATE OF TEXAS
 GAMING COMPACT
 This compact is entered into between the Kickapoo Traditional
 Tribe of Texas, a federally recognized Indian Tribe ("Tribe"), and
 the State of Texas ("State"), with respect to the operation of
 covered games (as defined herein) on the Tribe's Indian lands as
 defined by Section 4(4), Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C.
 Section 2703(4)).
 PART I. TITLE
 This document shall be referred to as "The Kickapoo
 Traditional Tribe of Texas and State of Texas Gaming Compact."
 PART II. RECITALS
 1.  The Tribe is a federally recognized tribal government
 with sovereign powers and rights of self-government. The Tribe has
 special gaming rights under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory
 Act (Pub. L. No. 100-497).
 2.  The State is a state of the United States possessing the
 sovereign powers and rights of a state.
 3.  The State and the Tribe maintain a
 government-to-government relationship, and this compact will
 foster mutual respect and understanding between Indians and
 non-Indians.
 4.  The Tribe and the State jointly intend to protect the
 integrity of gaming regulated under this compact.
 5.  The gaming under this compact will further the purposes
 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (Pub. L. No. 100-497) to
 promote tribal economic development, self-sufficiency, and strong
 tribal government, and will assist the Tribe in funding tribal
 programs that provide needed services to the Tribe's members.
 PART III. DEFINITIONS
 In this compact:
 A.  "Class III gaming" means the forms of Class III
 gaming defined in Section 4(8), Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (25
 U.S.C. Section 2703(8)) and by the regulations of the National
 Indian Gaming Commission.
 B.  "Commission" means the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe
 of Texas Tribal Gaming Commission, which is the tribal governmental
 agency assigned the authority to carry out the Tribe's regulatory
 and oversight responsibilities under this compact.
 C.  "Compact" means this gaming compact between the
 Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas and the State of Texas.
 D.  "Covered game" or "covered gaming activity" means
 Class III gaming activities determined available to the Tribe by
 the United States Department of the Interior, video lottery
 terminals, and any other Class III game of chance or skill
 authorized by State law for any person, organization, or entity for
 any purpose.
 E.  "Covered game employee" means an individual
 employed and licensed by the Tribe whose responsibilities include
 providing services related to the operation, maintenance, or
 management of covered games. The term:
 (1)  includes:
 a.  managers and assistant managers;
 b.  accounting personnel;
 c.  commission officers;
 d.  surveillance and security personnel;
 e.  cashiers, supervisors, and floor
 personnel;
 f.  cage personnel; and
 g.  any other employee whose employment
 duties require or authorize access to areas of a facility related to
 the conduct of a covered game or the technical support or storage of
 a covered game component; and
 (2)  does not include an elected official of the
 Tribe who is not directly involved in the operation, maintenance,
 or management of a covered game or covered game component.
 F.  "Document" means a book, a record, an electronic,
 magnetic, or computer media document, or another writing or
 material. The term includes a copy of any of those documents and
 information contained in the document.
 G.  "Effective date" means the date on which the
 compact becomes effective under Part XV.A of this compact.
 H.  "Facility" or "facilities" means a building or
 buildings of the Tribe in which a covered game authorized by this
 compact is conducted on the Tribe's Indian lands as defined by the
 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (Pub. L. No. 100-497). Subject to the
 terms of this compact, the Tribe has the ultimate responsibility
 for ensuring that the operation of each facility conforms to the
 requirements of this compact.
 I.  "IGRA" means the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (Pub.
 L. No. 100-497).
 J.  "Net win" means the total receipts, not including
 free or promotional credits issued by the Tribe, from the play of
 all covered games less all prize payouts and participation fees.
 K.  "Participation fee" means a payment by the Tribe to
 a supplier on a periodic basis for the right to lease or otherwise
 offer for play a gaming device the Tribe does not own for a covered
 gaming activity. A participation fee may be a royalty payment or
 lease payment.
 L.  "Patron" means a person who is on the premises of a
 facility or who is entering the Tribe's Indian lands for the purpose
 of playing a covered game authorized by this compact.
 M.  "Rules" means rules adopted by the commission to
 implement this compact.
 N.  "State" means the State of Texas.
 O.  "State compliance agency" ("SCA") means the office
 of the Secretary of State or another agency authorized by the
 legislature to carry out the State's oversight responsibilities
 under this compact.
 P.  "Tribe" means the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of
 Texas.
 Q.  "Video lottery terminal" means an electronic game
 of chance connected to a centralized computer system.
 PART IV. AUTHORIZATION AND LOCATION OF COVERED GAMES; LIMITATION
 ON PARTICIPATION FEE DEDUCTION
 A.  The Tribe and State agree that the Tribe is authorized to
 operate covered games on the Tribe's Indian lands, as defined in the
 IGRA, in accordance with the provisions of this compact.
 Notwithstanding any other provision of this compact, a wager made
 through a mobile or other electronic device by a player physically
 located in Texas but not on the Tribe's Indian lands shall be
 considered for regulatory purposes to occur exclusively where
 received at the location of the servers or other devices used to
 conduct that wagering at a facility located on the Tribe's Indian
 lands.  The placement of such wagers is permitted as a matter of
 State law.
 B.  The Tribe acknowledges the Tribe did not hold an interest
 in a company that supplies a gaming device on the date this compact
 was executed. If the Tribe acquires an interest in a company that
 supplies gaming devices, the Tribe may not deduct from the net win a
 participation fee for the supplier in which the Tribe has acquired
 an interest.
 PART V. RULES; MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
 A.  During the term of this compact, the Tribe is responsible
 for all duties assigned to the Tribe and the commission under this
 compact. The Tribe shall adopt any rules necessary to implement
 this compact. Nothing in this compact may be construed to affect
 the Tribe's right to amend the Tribe's rules, provided the amendment
 is in conformity with this compact. The SCA may propose to the
 commission additional rules consistent with the implementation of
 this compact, and the commission shall in good faith consider the
 proposal and notify the SCA of the Tribe's response or action in
 regard to the proposal.
 B.  All facilities shall comply with and all covered games
 shall be operated in accordance with this compact. All facilities
 must be operated in strict compliance with tribal internal control
 standards that provide a level of control equal to or exceeding the
 minimum internal control standards for Class III gaming recommended
 by the National Indian Gaming Commission in the bulletin issued on
 August 14, 2018, and any update to those standards.
 C.  The Tribe agrees to maintain the following safeguards
 against problem gambling:
 1.  The Tribe will provide a comprehensive training
 program to all gaming employees.
 2.  The Tribe will make available to patrons printed
 materials with contact information for organizations dedicated to
 assisting problem gamblers.
 3.  The commission shall establish a list of the
 patrons voluntarily excluded from the Tribe's facilities under Part
 V.C.5 of this compact.
 4.  The Tribe shall employ its best efforts to exclude
 patrons on the list maintained under Part V.C.3 of this compact.
 This compact does not create a cause of action against the State,
 the Tribe, the commission, or any other person, entity, or agency
 for failing to exclude a patron on the list established under Part
 V.C.3 of this compact.
 5.  A patron who believes the patron may be playing a
 covered game on a compulsive basis may request the patron's name to
 be placed on the list of patrons voluntarily excluded from the
 Tribe's facilities.
 6.  All covered game employees who interact with
 patrons shall receive training to identify a patron who may have a
 problem with compulsive gambling and instruct the patron to leave.
 Signs bearing a toll-free help line number and educational and
 informational materials must be made available at conspicuous
 locations and ATMs in each facility. The signs must be designed in
 a manner aimed at preventing problem gambling and specifying where
 patrons may receive counseling or assistance for gambling problems.
 Nothing in this part of this compact creates a cause of action or
 claim against the State, the Tribe, the commission, or any other
 person, entity, or agency for failing to identify a patron or person
 who is a compulsive gambler or asking that person to leave.
 7.  The Tribe shall make diligent efforts to prevent an
 underage individual from loitering in the area of each facility
 where a covered game is conducted.
 8.  The Tribe shall assure that advertising and
 marketing of the covered games at the facilities contain a
 responsible gambling message and a toll-free help line number for
 problem gamblers where practical and that the advertising and
 marketing messages do not make any false or misleading claims.
 D.  The State may secure an annual independent financial
 audit of the conduct of covered games subject to this compact. The
 audit must examine revenues from the conduct of a covered game and
 must verify the determination of net win and the basis of, and right
 to, the payments to the State pursuant to Part XI of this compact
 and as defined by this compact. A copy of the audit report for the
 conduct of a covered game must be submitted to the commission not
 later than the 30th day after the date an audit is completed. A
 representative of the SCA may, on request, meet with the Tribe and
 the Tribe's auditors to discuss an audit or matter in connection
 with the audit, provided the discussions are limited to covered
 games information. The annual independent financial audit must be
 performed by an independent accounting firm with experience in
 auditing casino operations, selected by the State and subject to
 the Tribe's consent, which may not be unreasonably withheld. The
 Tribe shall pay the accounting firm for the costs of the annual
 independent financial audit if the Tribe is found not to be in
 compliance with this compact.
 E.  A summary of the rules for playing covered games must be
 displayed in a facility. A complete set of rules must be available
 at a facility and provided to a patron on request. A copy of the
 rules must be provided to the SCA not later than the 30th day after
 the date the rules are issued or amended.
 F.  The Tribe shall provide the commission and SCA with a
 chart of the supervisory authority of persons directly responsible
 for the conduct of covered games, and shall promptly notify the
 commission and the SCA of any material change to the supervisory
 authority.
 G.  The Tribe shall continue to maintain a proactive approach
 to prevent improper alcohol sales, drunk driving, underage
 drinking, and underage gambling that involves extensive staff
 training and certification, patron education, and the use of
 security personnel and surveillance equipment to enhance patrons'
 enjoyment of the facilities and provide for patron safety. Staff
 training must include specialized employee training in nonviolent
 crisis intervention, driver's license verification, and the
 detection of intoxication. Patron education may be accomplished by
 printing a notice on a valet parking stub, posting a sign in the
 facilities, and publishing brochures. The facilities must have
 roving and fixed security officers, along with surveillance
 cameras, to assist in the detection of intoxicated patrons,
 investigate problems, and engage patrons to de-escalate volatile
 situations. This part of this compact does not create a cause of
 action or claim against the State, the Tribe, the commission, or any
 other person, entity, or agency for failing to fulfill a
 requirement of this part.
 H.  A person under 21 years of age may not play a covered game
 unless state law authorizes the play of the same or similar games by
 persons under 21 years of age at locations under the State's
 jurisdiction.
 I.  The Tribe and the commission on request shall make
 available a copy of the following documents to any member of the
 public:
 1.  the tribal gaming ordinance;
 2.  this compact;
 3.  the rules of each covered game operated by the
 Tribe; and
 4.  the administrative procedures for addressing
 patron tort claims under Part VI of this compact.
 PART VI. PATRON DISPUTES; TORT CLAIMS; PRIZE CLAIMS
 A.  All Patron disputes shall be resolved under the
 procedures established by the Tribe's Gaming Ordinance and such
 remedies must be exhausted.
 B.  The Tribe shall ensure that a patron of a facility is
 afforded due process in seeking and receiving just and reasonable
 compensation for a tort claim for personal injury or property
 damage against a facility arising out of an incident occurring at a
 facility.  During the term of this compact, the Tribe shall maintain
 public liability insurance for the express purposes of providing
 coverage for a tort claim.  The insurance must provide coverage for
 damage amounts equal to the liability limits described by Section
 101.023(a), Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code.  The liability
 for a tort claim, including a claim for compensatory damages,
 punitive damages, costs, prejudgment interest, and attorney fees if
 otherwise allowed under Texas law, arising out of any tort claim
 brought or asserted against the Tribe, the Tribe's subordinate
 governmental or economic units, any Tribal officials, employees,
 servants, or agents in their official capacities, or any entity
 which is owned directly or indirectly by the Tribe, may not exceed
 or be paid in an amount exceeding the maximum amount of insurance
 coverage required by this part.
 C.  All Patron tort claims brought under this part of the
 compact shall be brought solely against the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle
 Casino, an economic entity owned by a federally recognized Indian
 tribe, as the sole party in interest.
 D.  The Tribe shall ensure that patrons of a facility are
 afforded due process in seeking and receiving just and reasonable
 compensation arising from a patron's dispute, in connection with
 the patron's play of a covered game, the amount of a prize awarded,
 the failure to award a prize, or the right to receive a refund. Such
 patron disputes shall be resolved under the procedures established
 by the Tribe's Gaming Ordinance.
 PART VII. ENFORCEMENT OF COMPACT PROVISIONS
 A.  The Tribe and the commission are responsible for
 regulating activities under this compact. The Tribe shall adopt or
 issue standards designed to ensure the facilities are constructed,
 operated, and maintained to adequately protect the environment and
 public health and safety.
 B.  A commission compliance officer shall be available to a
 facility during operation on reasonable notice and shall have
 immediate and complete access to a facility to ensure compliance
 with this compact. The commission shall investigate a suspected or
 reported violation of this part of this compact and shall timely
 file an official written report of the investigation and action
 taken on the violation, and shall send a copy of the investigative
 report to the SCA not later than the 30th day after the date the
 commission files the report. The scope of the report must be
 determined by a memorandum of understanding between the commission
 and the SCA as soon as practicable after the effective date of this
 compact. A violation must be reported immediately to the
 commission, and the commission shall immediately forward the
 violation to the SCA. In addition, the commission shall promptly
 report to the SCA a violation which the commission independently
 discovers.
 C.  Representatives of the commission and the SCA shall meet
 at least once each year to review past practices and examine methods
 to improve the regulatory scheme created by this compact. The
 meetings shall take place at a location agreed to by the commission
 and the SCA. The SCA, before or during a meeting, shall disclose to
 the commission any concerns, suspected activities, or pending
 matters reasonably believed to constitute a violation of this
 compact by any person, organization, or entity, if the disclosure
 will not compromise the interest sought to be protected.
 PART VIII. STATE MONITORING OF COMPACT
 A.  The SCA may, under this compact, monitor the conduct of a
 covered game to ensure a covered game is conducted in compliance
 with this compact. In order to properly monitor the conduct of a
 covered game, an agent of the SCA may have, without prior notice,
 reasonable access to all public areas of a facility where a covered
 game is conducted under this compact. An SCA agent must report to a
 commission officer immediately on arrival at the facility. An SCA
 agent may not enter a nonpublic area of a facility without giving
 the commission notice of the agent's arrival 24 hours before the
 hour of the agent's arrival and, on arrival, providing proper
 photographic identification. A commission officer shall accompany
 an SCA agent in a nonpublic area of a facility.
 B.  Subject to this compact, an SCA agent has the right to
 review and request a copy of a facility document related to the
 conduct of a covered game. The review and copying of the document
 must be during normal business hours unless otherwise allowed by
 the Tribe at the Tribe's discretion. The Tribe may not refuse an
 inspection or request to copy a document, provided that an agent
 cannot require copies of documents in a volume that unreasonably
 interferes with the normal functioning of the facility or a covered
 game.
 C.  After an SCA inspection or investigation, the SCA shall
 send to the commission a written report of the inspection or
 investigation that contains all pertinent, nonconfidential,
 nonproprietary information about a violation of an applicable law
 or this compact discovered during an inspection or investigation
 unless disclosure of the information would adversely affect an
 investigation of suspected criminal activity. This compact does
 not prevent the SCA from contacting a tribal or federal law
 enforcement authority about suspected criminal wrongdoing
 involving the commission.
 D.  This compact does not authorize the State to regulate the
 Tribe's government or the commission or to interfere with the
 Tribe's selection of the Tribe's governmental officers or members
 of the commission.
 PART IX. JURISDICTION
 The obligations and rights of the State and the Tribe under
 this compact are contractual in nature, and, except regarding
 mobile gaming regulation, this compact does not alter tribal,
 federal, or state civil or criminal jurisdiction.
 PART X. LICENSING
 The Tribe and the commission shall comply with the licensing
 and hearing requirements in 25 C.F.R. Part 556 and Part 558 and
 applicable licensing requirements in the Tribe's Gaming Ordinance.
 PART XI. PAYMENTS TO STATE
 A.  The parties acknowledge and recognize this compact
 provides the Tribe with substantial exclusivity and, consistent
 with the goals of the IGRA, special opportunities for tribal
 economic opportunity through covered gaming activity in the State.
 In consideration of the substantial exclusivity, only while the
 State does not, after January 1, 2025, authorize or allow the
 operation of any additional form of gaming, including slot
 machines, video lottery terminals, video pull-tab games,
 electronic bingo, sports betting, banked and banking card games, or
 another type of table gaming game, not otherwise authorized and
 operated under state law on that date within 200 miles of the
 boundary of the Tribe's reservation, the Tribe agrees to pay the
 State a percentage of the revenue derived from covered game
 revenues in an amount equal to three percent of the net win received
 by the Tribe in a calendar year from the play of Class III covered
 games. The amount is due and payable not later than the 20th day
 after the last date of the preceding quarter for the revenue
 received by the Tribe in the preceding quarter.
 B.  Payment of revenue due under Part XI.A of this compact
 must be made to the comptroller of public accounts of the State.
 Nothing in this compact allocates the revenue to a particular State
 purpose, including regulatory responsibilities under this compact.
 C.  This compact does not authorize the State to impose any
 tax, fee, charge, or assessment on the Tribe or an enterprise of the
 Tribe.
 PART XII. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
 A dispute under this compact, including a dispute over
 compliance with or the interpretation of the terms of this compact,
 must be resolved amicably and voluntarily when possible. In
 pursuit of this goal, the following procedures shall be invoked:
 A.  A party asserting noncompliance or seeking an
 interpretation of this compact first shall serve written notice on
 the other party. The notice must identify the provision alleged to
 have been violated or in dispute and must specify in detail the
 factual basis for the claim. Representatives of the Tribe and State
 shall meet in an effort to resolve the dispute not later than the
 30th day after the date notice is received unless the parties agree
 to extend the time.
 B.  A party asserting noncompliance or seeking an
 interpretation of this compact is considered to have certified that
 to the best of the party's knowledge, information, and belief,
 formed after reasonable inquiry, the claim of noncompliance or the
 request for interpretation of this compact is warranted and made in
 good faith and not for any improper purpose, such as to harass or to
 cause unnecessary delay or expense to resolve the dispute.
 C.  If the parties are unable to resolve a dispute
 through the process specified in Part XII.A of this compact, either
 party can call for mediation under the Commercial Arbitration Rules
 and Mediation Procedures of the American Arbitration Association
 (AAA) or any such successor procedures, provided the mediation does
 not last more than 60 calendar days unless the parties agree to
 extend the time. Mediation is only available for resolving
 disputes over matters arising under this compact.
 D.  If the parties are unable to resolve a dispute
 through the process under Parts XII.A and XII.C of this compact,
 notwithstanding any other provision of law, the State or Tribe may
 bring an action in federal district court ("federal court")
 regarding any dispute arising under this compact in a district in
 which the federal court has venue. If the federal court declines to
 exercise jurisdiction, or federal precedent exists that rules the
 federal court does not have jurisdiction over the dispute, the
 State or the Tribe may bring the action in state court. The State
 and the Tribe are entitled to all rights of appeal permitted by law
 in the court system in which the action is brought.
 E.  For purposes of an action based solely on a dispute
 between the State and the Tribe that arises under this compact and
 the enforcement of any judgment resulting from the action, the
 State and the Tribe expressly waive the right to assert sovereign
 immunity from suit and from enforcement of any judgment, and
 consent to be sued in all levels of federal or state court, provided
 that:
 1.  the dispute is limited solely to issues
 arising under this compact;
 2.  the action does not include a claim for
 monetary damages, other than payment of any money required by the
 terms of this compact, and injunctive relief or specific
 performance enforcing a provision of this compact requiring the
 payment of money to the State may be sought; and
 3.  nothing in this compact may be construed to
 constitute a waiver of the sovereign immunity of the State or the
 Tribe with respect to a third party that is made a party or
 intervenes as a party in an action.
 F.  In the event that intervention, joinder, or other
 participation by a third party in any action between the State and
 the Tribe would result in the waiver of the State's or the Tribe's
 sovereign immunity to the third party's claim, the waiver of the
 State or the Tribe under this compact may be revoked.
 G.  The State may not pursue any mediation or judicial
 remedy against the Tribe if the State failed to exhaust Tribal
 administrative remedies.
 H.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
 part of this compact, the Tribe's failure to remit a payment under
 this compact entitles the State to seek injunctive relief in
 federal or state court, at the State's sole discretion, to compel
 the payments after exhausting the dispute resolution process in
 this part of this compact.
 PART XIII. CONSTRUCTION OF COMPACT; SEVERANCE; FEDERAL APPROVAL
 A.  Each provision, section, and subsection of this compact
 shall stand separate and independent of every other provision. If a
 federal district court in Texas or other court of competent
 jurisdiction finds a provision of this compact to be invalid, the
 remaining provisions of this compact remain in full force and
 effect, provided that severing the invalidated provision does not
 undermine the overall intent of the parties in entering into this
 compact.
 B.  This compact is intended to meet the requirements of the
 IGRA on the effective date of this compact, and where reference is
 made to the IGRA, or to an implementing regulation of the IGRA, the
 reference is considered to be incorporated into this document as if
 fully stated in this document. Changes to the IGRA after the
 effective date of this compact that diminish the rights of the State
 or Tribe may not be applied to alter the terms of this compact,
 except to the extent that federal law mandates retroactive
 application without the respective consent of the State or Tribe.
 C.  The presence or absence of language in this compact that
 is present in or absent from another compact between a state and
 another Indian tribe may not be a factor in construing the terms of
 this compact.
 D.  Each party shall defend the validity of this compact.
 E.  On execution of this compact, the Tribe shall submit the
 compact to the United States Secretary of the Interior, and the
 parties shall cooperate in seeking the Secretary's approval of this
 compact.
 F.  Nothing in this compact may be construed to limit,
 restrict, or regulate the Tribe's right to offer Class I and Class
 II gaming as authorized under the IGRA.
 PART XIV. NOTICES
 A notice required under this compact must be given by
 certified mail, return receipt requested, commercial overnight
 courier service, or personal delivery, to:
 Governor
 State of Texas
 1100 San Jacinto
 Austin, TX 78701
 Chairman - Tribal Council
 Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas
 2212 Rosita Valley Road
 Eagle Pass, TX 78852
 With copies to the general counsel for each party.
 PART XV. EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM
 A.  This compact is effective on approval either by the
 United States Secretary of the Interior as a tribal-state compact
 under the IGRA or by operation of law and on publication of the
 notice of approval in the Federal Register.
 B.  This compact has a term of 25 years beginning on the day
 the compact becomes effective under Part XV.A of this compact. This
 compact remains in full force and effect until the earlier of the
 25th anniversary of the day the compact becomes effective or until
 terminated by agreement of the parties. If either the State or the
 Tribe wishes to extend the term of this compact, the party shall
 notify the other at least 18 months before the date that this
 compact will expire. The parties shall begin negotiations at least
 12 months before the term expires.
 PART XVI. AMENDMENT OF COMPACT
 Amendment of this compact may only be made by written
 agreement of the parties, subject to approval either by the United
 States Secretary of the Interior or by operation of law and is
 effective on publication of the notice of approval in the Federal
 Register.
 PART XVII. MISCELLANEOUS
 A.  Except to the extent expressly provided in this compact,
 this compact does not create a right for a third party to bring an
 action to enforce a term of this compact.
 B.  Nothing in this compact shall alter any existing
 memoranda of understanding, contracts, or other agreements entered
 into between the Tribe and any other federal, state, or local
 governmental entity.
 PART XVIII. EXECUTION
 The chairman of the Tribal Council of the Kickapoo
 Traditional Tribe of Texas affirms that the chairman is duly
 authorized and has the authority to execute this compact on behalf
 of the Tribe. The chairman also affirms that the chairman will take
 all appropriate steps to effectuate the purposes and intent of this
 compact.
 (d)  The Secretary of State may adopt rules necessary for
 this state to carry out its responsibilities under this section
 unless the Legislature enacts laws authorizing another state agency
 to administer this section. The rules may not apply to the Tribe.
 (e)  All shipments of gaming equipment or other gaming
 devices into, out of, or within this state authorized under this
 section or a law enacted under this section are legal shipments of
 the devices and are exempt from the provisions of 15 U.S.C. Sections
 1171-1178 prohibiting the transportation of gambling devices.
 SECTION 3.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
 submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 2025.
 The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
 proposition: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the
 Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas to conduct gaming by executing
 a gaming compact with this state."