Republican leaders have introduced legislation to require Native American tribes in Arizona to resolve longstanding water disputes with the state before negotiating new gambling pacts. Cosponsors of the legislation, House Bill 2447, include House Speaker Rusty Bowers and Senate President Karen Fann. The bill’s chief sponsor, Representative Steve Pierce, told the Arizona Republic that it would help speed up the state’s complex and lengthy negotiations with tribes over water rights because tribes want to retain the economic benefits of gambling casinos. Many tribes’ current gambling pacts expire in 2023.
