Controversial Assembly Bill 653 Now a Two-Year Bill

Assembly Bill 653 (Ridley-Thomas) was not heard this week in the Senate Governance and Finance Committee (Committee), thereby making it a two-year bill.  AB 653, which RCRC strongly opposes, would exempt from taxation property owned in fee by a federally-recognized Native American tribe that is pursuing a federal fee-to-trust application.  

By holding the bill for several additional months, the Committee affords the author and sponsors time to hold in-depth discussions about tribal lands and their property tax status.  RCRC will engage with AB 653’s sponsors over the fall recess on this topic in the hopes of reaching an agreement so that RCRC’s opposition can be removed.  RCRC’s letter of opposition for AB 653 can be accessed here.