News from NIGC

For Immediate Release    
Contact: NIGC
(202) 632-7003

NIGC Announces Formation of a Technical Standards/MICS Tribal Advisory Committee and Calls for Nominations of Committee Members

Washington, DC, August 10, 2011 — The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC/Commission) announced today that it is forming a Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC) to assist in the review of Minimum Internal Control Standards and Technical Standards. A thorough examination of the MICS and Technical Standards is an essential element of the regulatory review initiative that the Commission began in November, 2010. The Commission believes a TAC  would provide valuable input and practical insight to the regulatory review initiative. "During    the 11 consultations held since April, Tribes have expressed their concern with how the Commission will review the MICS. We want to ensure that our review of this very technical area is comprehensive and results in well-informed decision-making." Chairwoman Stevens explained. “Technical regulations such as the MICS and Technical Standards should draw from the expertise of tribal regulators so that the Commission may arrive at fully considered and informed rules.”

Tribes are asked to nominate tribal representatives for membership on the TAC by September 16, 2011. TAC members will serve for one year but the NIGC anticipates the TAC’s work to be completed by March 31, 2012 in order for a final rule to be issued in late summer 2012.

Representatives must be available for the TAC Inaugural Meeting scheduled for October 18-20, 2011 as well as five additional monthly meetings as follows:

October 18-20, 2011    Inaugural Meeting, Wind Creek Casino & Hotel, Atmore, AL November 15-17, 2011    Location to be determined
December 6-8, 2011    Location to be determined
January 10-12, 2012    Location to be determined
February 7-9, 2012    Location to be determined
March 6-8, 2012    Location to be determined

The TAC nomination letter and nomination form are available on the National Indian Gaming Commission website: http://www.nigc.gov.  Written nominations may be submitted by e-mail to reg.review@nigc.gov, or by US Mail to the National Indian Gaming Commission, Attn: Regulatory Review, 1441 L Street, NW, Suite 9100, Washington, DC 20005.

For additional information or questions regarding the TAC nomination process, please contact Lael Echo-Hawk at (202) 632-7003 or Lael_Echo-Hawk@nigc.gov.

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The NIGC is an independent regulatory agency established within the Department of the Interior pursuant to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988.

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