[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 13, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52500-52501]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-24617]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of the Secretary


Proposed Appointment to the National Indian Gaming Commission

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act provides for a three-person 
National Indian Gaming Commission. One member, the chairman, is 
appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. 
Two associate members are appointed by the Secretary of the Interior. 
Before appointing members, the Secretary is required to provide public 
notice of a proposed appointment and allow a comment period. Notice is 
hereby given of the proposed appointment of Steffani A. Cochran as an 
associate member of the National Indian Gaming Commission for a term of 
3 years.

DATES: Comments must be received before November 12, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted to the Director, Office of 
Executive Secretariat, United States Department of the Interior, 1849 C 
Street, NW., Mail Stop 7229, Washington, DC 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John A. Strylowski, Executive 
Secretariat, United States Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, 
NW., Mail Stop 7229, Washington, DC 20240; telephone 202-208-3071.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, 25 U.S.C. 
2701 et seq., established the National Indian Gaming Commission 
(Commission), composed of three full-time members. 25 U.S.C. 2704(b). 
Commission members serve for a term of 3 years. 25 U.S.C. 
2705(b)(2)(4)(A). The Chairman is appointed by the President with the 
advice and consent of the Senate. 25 U.S.C. 2704(b)(1)(B). The two 
associate members are appointed by the Secretary of the Interior. 25 
U.S.C. 2704(b)(1)(B). Before appointing an associate member to the 
Commission, the Secretary is required to ``publish in the Federal 
Register the name and other information the Secretary deems pertinent 
regarding a nominee for membership on the commission and * * * allow a 
period of not less than thirty days for receipt of public comments.'' 
25 U.S.C. 2704(b)(2)(B).
    The Secretary proposes to appoint Steffani A. Cochran as an 
associate member of the Commission for a term of 3 years. Ms. Cochran 
is well qualified to serve as a member of the Commission, by virtue of 
her broad background in the law and her work for both State and tribal 
governments on issues affecting Indian tribes. Her extensive legal 
experience includes service in New Mexico State government as a Special 
Counsel for Indian Affairs and as an Administrative Law Judge for the 
State of Oregon. She has also served tribal governments as General 
Counsel for the Pueblo of Pojoaque and as an Associate Judge for the 
Isleta Tribal Court and judge pro tem on the Southwest Intertribal 
Court of Appeals. Working at different times for tribal and State 
governments, Ms. Cochran has participated in negotiations and addressed 
issues of critical importance to both constituencies. She is a member 
of the Chickasaw Nation. Ms. Cochran does not have any financial 
interests that would make her ineligible to serve on the Commission 
under 25 U.S.C. 2704(b)(5)(B) or (C).
    Any person wishing to submit comments on this proposed appointment 
of Steffani Cochran may submit written comments to the address

[[Page 52501]]

listed above. Comments must be received by November 12, 2009.

David Hayes,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9-24617 Filed 10-9-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-17-P