Wednesday, March 2, 2005 | 9:24 a.m.
PIERRE, S.D. -- An attempt to give the legislature oversight of gambling compacts between American Indian tribes and the governor failed after spirited debate Tuesday in the House.
Senate Bill 210 would have given lawmakers the final say on tribal gambling compacts if they resulted in increased slot machines or card tables, or if Indian casinos would be put in new places.
Eight of the state's nine tribes have gambling compacts with the state, said Rep. Chuck Turbiville, R-Deadwood. Most of those agreements are for either two or four years, he said, adding that the bill would not affect existing compacts.
"It is not to make changes in the day-to-day operations," Turbiville said.
"We don't want to disrupt current compacts," he said.
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