[April 24, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 78)] [Unified Agenda] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [frwais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID: f:ua060457.wais] [Page 23692-23695] National Indian Gaming Commission ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Part LVII ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Semiannual Regulatory Agenda [[Page 23692]] NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION (NIGC) _______________________________________________________________________ NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION 25 CFR Ch. III Semiannual Regulatory Agenda AGENCY: National Indian Gaming Commission. ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda. _______________________________________________________________________ SUMMARY: The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) today is publishing an agenda of its open and anticipated rulemaking actions. The agenda is a general announcement to the public intended to provide notice of rulemaking actions in which the public may wish to participate. In the future, the NIGC intends to issue notices of proposed rulemaking or advance notices of proposed rulemaking, or final rules for the following: rules establishing technical standards for game classifications; rules establishing technical standards for gaming machines and associated equipment; rules revising Freedom of Information Act procedures; rules revising Privacy Act procedures; rules establishing a process for the assessment, notification, and collection of debts owed the NIGC; rules revising tribal background investigation submission requirements and timing; rules concerning hearings and appeals procedures; rules concerning enforcement; rules revising the scope and review of management contracts; rules concerning net gaming revenue; rules concerning gaming facility licensing standards; rules concerning administrative fees; rules revising and updating the civil fines provisions; rules defining the statutory term ``sole proprietary ownership''; and rules concerning technical amendments to the Minimum Internal Control Standards. The NIGC invites questions and public comment on individual agenda items. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Nelson, National Indian Gaming Commission, 1441 L Street NW., Suite 9100, Washington, DC 20005; (202) 632-7003 (not a toll-free number). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with Executive Order 12866 ``Regulatory Planning and Review'' and the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 605, executive agencies are required to publish semiannual regulatory agendas in the Federal Register each year. The regulations being considered by the NIGC are not ``significant'' rules within the meaning of E.O. 12866, and no Regulatory Impact Analysis is required. The NIGC also has determined, under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, that most of the regulations under consideration will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. For these regulations, no Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is required. The NIGC has not yet determined whether the rules implementing the Privacy Act, or gaming facility licensing require a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis. The proposed rules are not covered under section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (Pub. L. 104-4), as they are not Federal mandates that may result in an expenditure of $100 million or more in any one year by State, local, or tribal governments, in the aggregate, or the private sector. Further, these proposed rules are not considered major under 5 U.S.C. 801 enacted by Public Law 104-121, and, therefore, are not subject to section 801's 60-day deferral requirement. The NIGC has not yet determined whether the technical standards for game classifications, technical standards for gaming machines and associated gaming equipment, or the Privacy Act procedures are a major rule. Philip N. Hogen, Chairman, National Indian Gaming Commission. National Indian Gaming Commission--Proposed Rule Stage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identifier Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3975 Management Contracts.................................................................. 3141-AA13 3976 Gaming Facility and Site Licensing Standards.......................................... 3141-AA23 3977 Privacy Act Procedures (Amendments)................................................... 3141-AA28 3978 Technical Standards for Gaming Machines and Gaming Systems............................ 3141-AA29 3979 Game Classification Standards......................................................... 3141-AA31 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- National Indian Gaming Commission--Final Rule Stage ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identifier Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3980 Freedom of Information Act Procedures (Amendments).................................... 3141-AA21 3981 Technical Amendments to the Minimum Internal Control Standards........................ 3141-AA27 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- National Indian Gaming Commission--Long-Term Actions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regulation Sequence Title Identifier Number Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3982 Hearings and Appeals Procedure........................................................ 3141-AA08 3983 Enforcement........................................................................... 3141-AA09 [[Page 23693]] 3984 Net Gaming Revenue.................................................................... 3141-AA14 3985 Tribal Background Investigation Submission Requirements and Timing.................... 3141-AA15 3986 Administrative Fees................................................................... 3141-AA16 3987 Debt Collection....................................................................... 3141-AA25 3988 Civil Fines Revision and Update....................................................... 3141-AA30 3989 Definition of Sole Proprietary Interest............................................... 3141-AA32 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _______________________________________________________________________ National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) Proposed Rule Stage _______________________________________________________________________ 3975. MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 25 USC 2711(b) CFR Citation: 25 CFR 531; 25 CFR 533; 25 CFR 536 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule would amend the current regulations regarding NIGC approval of management contracts. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 08/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: Tribal Agency Contact: Penny J. Coleman, Acting General Counsel, National Indian Gaming Commission, Suite 9100, 1441 L Street NW., Washington, DC 20005 Phone: 202 632-7003 Fax: 202 632-7066 RIN: 3141-AA13 _______________________________________________________________________ 3976. GAMING FACILITY AND SITE LICENSING STANDARDS Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant Legal Authority: 25 USC 2706(b)(10); 25 USC 2710(b); 25 USC 2710(d) CFR Citation: 25 CFR 522.4(b)(6); 25 CFR 522.6(b) Legal Deadline: None Abstract: This rule will establish minimum standards that a tribe must adopt when it licenses gaming facilities within its jurisdiction pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 2710(b) and its tribal gaming ordinance. The new regulations are likely to require the tribe to demonstrate that the gaming facility is located on ``Indian lands'', as well as identify and apply sufficient environment, public health and safety (EPHS) standards to the gaming facility. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 08/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined Government Levels Affected: Tribal Agency Contact: Penny J. Coleman, Acting General Counsel, National Indian Gaming Commission, Suite 9100, 1441 L Street NW., Washington, DC 20005 Phone: 202 632-7003 Fax: 202 632-7066 RIN: 3141-AA23 _______________________________________________________________________ 3977. PRIVACY ACT PROCEDURES (AMENDMENTS) Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 5 USC 552a CFR Citation: 25 CFR 515 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: These rules will revise current regulations to update addresses and list systems of records. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 05/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: Federal, Tribal Agency Contact: John R. Hay, Staff Attorney, National Indian Gaming Commission, 1441 L Street NW., Washington, DC 20005 Phone: 202 632-7003 Fax: 202 632-7066 RIN: 3141-AA28 _______________________________________________________________________ 3978. TECHNICAL STANDARDS FOR GAMING MACHINES AND GAMING SYSTEMS Priority: Other Significant. Major status under 5 USC 801 is undetermined. Unfunded Mandates: Undetermined Legal Authority: 25 USC 2706 CFR Citation: 25 CFR 547 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: It is necessary for the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) to promulgate regulations establishing technical standards in order to assure the integrity of electronic equipment used with the play of class II games. Technical standards will address actual operation of gaming machines and systems and the equipment related to their operation. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 05/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: Tribal Federalism: Undetermined Agency Contact: Michael Gross, Senior Attorney, National Indian Gaming Commission, 1441 L St NW, Suite 9100, Washington, DC 20005 Phone: 202 632-7003 [[Page 23694]] Fax: 202 632-7066 RIN: 3141-AA29 _______________________________________________________________________ 3979. GAME CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS Priority: Other Significant. Major status under 5 USC 801 is undetermined. Unfunded Mandates: Undetermined Legal Authority: 25 USC 2706 CFR Citation: 25 CFR 546 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: It is necessary for the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) to promulgate regulations establishing game classification standards because of the distinction between class II and class III gaming set forth in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). Technical changes make it difficult for regulators to keep up with the gaming industry. By establishing classification standards, tribal gaming commissions, the primary regulators of tribal gaming, will more easily be able to distinguish between class II and class III machines. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 05/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: Tribal Federalism: Undetermined Agency Contact: John Hay, Staff Attorney, National Indian Gaming Commission, Suite 9100, 1441 L Street NW., Washington, DC 20005 Phone: 202 632-7003 Fax: 202 632-7066 Email: john--hay@nigc.gov RIN: 3141-AA31 _______________________________________________________________________ National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) Final Rule Stage _______________________________________________________________________ 3980. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT PROCEDURES (AMENDMENTS) Priority: Other Significant Legal Authority: 5 USC 552 CFR Citation: 25 CFR 517.3; 25 CFR 517.6; 25 CFR 517.8 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: These rules will revise the current regulations to make them consistent with the amended Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The rules will also update information such as addresses and copying fees. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM 10/18/05 70 FR 60470 Final Action 05/00/06 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: None Agency Contact: Jeanie McCoy, FOIA/PA Officer, National Indian Gaming Commission, Suite 9100, 1441 L Street NW., Washington, DC 20005 Phone: 202 632-7003 Fax: 202 632-7066 RIN: 3141-AA21 _______________________________________________________________________ 3981. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO THE MINIMUM INTERNAL CONTROL STANDARDS Priority: Other Significant. Major status under 5 USC 801 is undetermined. Legal Authority: 25 USC 2702; 25 USC 2706(b)(10) CFR Citation: 25 CFR 542 Legal Deadline: None Abstract: The National Indian Gaming Commission is making technical changes to the Minimum Internal Control Standards (MICS) in response to changes in technology and the gaming industry. The Commission will routinely revise the MICS in response to these changes. Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ First NPRM 12/01/04 69 FR 69847 Second NPRM 03/10/05 70 FR 11893 Final Action on First Rule 05/04/05 70 FR 23011 Final Action on Second Rule 08/12/05 70 FR 47097 Third NPRM 11/15/05 70 FR 69293 Final Action on Third Rule 04/00/06 Fourth NPRM To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: Tribal Agency Contact: Penny J. Coleman, Acting General Counsel, National Indian Gaming Commission, Suite 9100, 1441 L Street NW., Washington, DC 20005 Phone: 202 632-7003 Fax: 202 632-7066 RIN: 3141-AA27 _______________________________________________________________________ National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) Long-Term Actions _______________________________________________________________________ 3982. HEARINGS AND APPEALS PROCEDURE Priority: Other Significant CFR Citation: 25 CFR 522 to 524; 25 CFR 533; 25 CFR 535; 25 CFR 539; 25 CFR 573; 25 CFR 575; 25 CFR 577 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: Tribal Agency Contact: Penny J. Coleman Phone: 202 632-7003 Fax: 202 632-7066 Penny J. Coleman Phone: 202 632-7003 Fax: 202 632-7066 RIN: 3141-AA08 [[Page 23695]] _______________________________________________________________________ 3983. ENFORCEMENT Priority: Other Significant CFR Citation: 25 CFR 573 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: Tribal Agency Contact: Penny J. Coleman Phone: 202 632-7003 Fax: 202 632-7066 RIN: 3141-AA09 _______________________________________________________________________ 3984. NET GAMING REVENUE Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant CFR Citation: 25 CFR 571; 25 CFR 573 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: Tribal Agency Contact: Penny J. Coleman Phone: 202 632-7003 Fax: 202 632-7066 RIN: 3141-AA14 _______________________________________________________________________ 3985. TRIBAL BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND TIMING Priority: Other Significant CFR Citation: 25 CFR 556; 25 CFR 558 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: Tribal Agency Contact: Penny J. Coleman Phone: 202 632-7003 Fax: 202 632-7066 RIN: 3141-AA15 _______________________________________________________________________ 3986. ADMINISTRATIVE FEES Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant CFR Citation: 25 CFR 514 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: Tribal Agency Contact: Penny J. Coleman Phone: 202 632-7003 Fax: 202 632-7066 RIN: 3141-AA16 _______________________________________________________________________ 3987. DEBT COLLECTION Priority: Other Significant CFR Citation: 25 CFR 580 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ Interim Final Rule 11/20/01 66 FR 58056 Interim Final Rule Comment Period End 01/04/02 Interim Final Rule Comment Period Reopened 01/09/02 67 FR 1273 Interim Final Rule Comment Period Reopened End 01/14/02 Second Interim Final Rule To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: Tribal Agency Contact: Penny J. Coleman Phone: 202 632-7003 Fax: 202 632-7066 RIN: 3141-AA25 _______________________________________________________________________ 3988. CIVIL FINES REVISION AND UPDATE Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant. Major status under 5 USC 801 is undetermined. CFR Citation: Not Yet Determined Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Small Entities Affected: No Government Levels Affected: Tribal Agency Contact: Penny J. Coleman Phone: 202 632-7003 Fax: 202 632-7066 RIN: 3141-AA30 _______________________________________________________________________ 3989. DEFINITION OF SOLE PROPRIETARY INTEREST Priority: Other Significant CFR Citation: 25 CFR 502 Timetable: ________________________________________________________________________ Action Date FR Cite ________________________________________________________________________ NPRM To Be Determined Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No Government Levels Affected: Tribal Agency Contact: Penny J. Coleman Phone: 202 632-7003 Fax: 202 632-7066 RIN: 3141-AA32 [FR Doc. 06-2051 Filed 04-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7565-01-S