98-10500. Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska Liquor and Beer Ordinance  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 76 (Tuesday, April 21, 1998)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 19741-19744]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-10500]
    
    
    
    [[Page 19741]]
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
    
    Bureau of Indian Affairs
    
    
    Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska Liquor and Beer Ordinance
    
    AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.
    
    ACTION: Notice.
    
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    SUMMARY: This Notice is published in accordance with authority 
    delegated by the Secretary of the Interior to the Assistant Secretary--
    Indian Affairs by 209 DM 8, and in accordance with the Act of August 
    15, 1953, 67 Stat. 586, 18 U.S.C. 1161. I certify that Resolution 
    numbered 97-R-08, Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska Liquor and Beer 
    Ordinance, was duly adopted by the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska 
    Executive Committee May 28, 1997. The Ordinance provides for the 
    regulation of the activities of the manufacture, distribution, sale, 
    and consumption of liquor on reservation lands subject to the 
    jurisdiction of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska; the provisions 
    for criminal jurisdiction are to be exercised in accordance with 
    applicable Federal case law, statutes, and regulations.
    
    DATES: This Ordinance is effective April 21, 1998.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bettie Rushing, Office of Tribal 
    Services, 1849 C Street NW, MS 4603-MIB, Washington, DC 20240-4001; 
    telephone (202) 208-4400.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska 
    Executive Committee resolution numbered 97-R-08 which reads as follows:
    
    Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska Liquor and Beer Ordinance
    
    Section 1. Title and Purpose
    
        This Title shall be known as the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska 
    Liquor and Beer Ordinance (``Ordinance''). This law is enacted to 
    regulate the sale and distribution of liquor and beer products on all 
    properties under the jurisdiction of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and 
    Nebraska, and to generate revenue to fund needed tribal programs and 
    services.
    
    Section 2. Authority
    
        This Ordinance is enacted pursuant to the Constitution and By-Laws 
    of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska (as amended August 27, 1980) 
    and the Act of August 15, 1953 (Pub. L. 83-277, 67 Stat. 588, 18 U.S.C. 
    1161).
    
    Section 3. Definitions
    
        Unless otherwise required by the context, the following words and 
    phrases shall have the designated meanings:
        (a) Nation or Tribe shall mean the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and 
    Nebraska.
        (b) Executive Committee shall mean the Executive Committee of the 
    Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska as constituted by Article IV, Sec. 2 
    of the Constitution of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska.
        (c) Commission shall mean the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska 
    Liquor and Beer Control Commission established pursuant to Section 201 
    of this Ordinance.
        (d) Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska Indian Country shall mean 
    Indian Country as defined by 18 U.S.C. 1151 subject to the jurisdiction 
    of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, including but not limited to, 
    any lands and waters held in trust by the Federal Government within the 
    jurisdiction of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska.
        (e) Sale shall mean the transfer, exchange or barter, in any or by 
    any means whatsoever, for a consideration, by any person, association, 
    partnership, or corporation, of liquor or beer products.
        (f) Wholesale Price shall mean the established price for which 
    liquor and beer products are sold to the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and 
    Nebraska or any Operator by the manufacturer or distributor, exclusive 
    of any discount or other reduction.
        (g) Alcohol is that substance known as ethyl alcohol, hydrated 
    oxide of ethyl, or spirit of wine, which is produced by the 
    fermentation or distillation of grain, starch, molasses or sugar, or 
    other substances including all dilutions and mixtures of this 
    substance.
        (h) Liquor shall mean the four varieties of liquor, commonly 
    referred to as alcohol, spirits, wine, and beer in excess of 5 percent 
    of alcohol, and all fermented, spirituous, vinous or malt liquor or any 
    other intoxicating liquid, solid, semi-solid or other substance 
    patented or not, containing alcohol, spirits, wine, or beer in excess 
    of 5 percent of alcohol, and intended for oral consumption.
        (i) Beer shall mean any beverage obtained by the alcohol 
    fermentation of an infusion or decoction of pure hops, or pure extract 
    of hops, and malt and sugar in pure water containing not more than 5 
    percent of alcohol by weight.
        (j) Liquor Outlet shall mean a tribally licensed retail sale 
    business selling liquor within the Iowa Indian Country, including all 
    related and associated facilities under the control of the Licensee. 
    Moreover, where a Licensee's business is carried on as part of the 
    operation of an entertainment or recreation facility, the ``Liquor 
    Outlet'' shall be deemed to include the entire entertainment or 
    recreation facility and associated areas.
        (k) Beer Outlet shall mean a tribally licensed retail sale business 
    selling beer within the Iowa Indian Country, including all related and 
    associated facilities under the control of the Licensee. Moreover, 
    where a Licensee's business is carried on as part of the operation of 
    an entertainment or recreation facility, the ``Beer Outlet'' shall be 
    deemed to include the entire entertainment or recreation facility and 
    associated areas.
        (l) Operator or Licensee shall mean any person twenty-one (21) 
    years of age or older, properly licensed by the Tribe to operate a 
    liquor and/or beer outlet.
    
    Chapter One--Prohibition
    
    Section 101. General Prohibition
    
        It shall be unlawful to buy, sell, give away, consume, furnish, or 
    possess any liquor or beer or product containing alcohol for ingestion 
    by human beings, or to appear or be found in a place where liquor or 
    beer are sold and/or consumed except as allowed by the Iowa Tribe of 
    Kansas and Nebraska Liquor and Beer Ordinance and regulations 
    promulgated thereunder.
    
    Section 102. Possession for Personal Use
    
        Possession of liquor or beer for personal use by persons over the 
    age of 21 years shall, unless otherwise prohibited by Federal or tribal 
    law or regulation, be lawful within the Iowa Indian Country, so long as 
    such liquor or beer was lawfully purchased from an establishment duly 
    licensed to sell such beverages, whether on or off the Iowa Indian 
    Country and consumed within a private residence or location, or at a 
    location or facility specifically licensed for the public consumption 
    of liquor or beer.
    
    Chapter Two--Licensing
    
    Section 201. Licensing of Liquor and Beer Outlets
    
        The Executive Committee shall be the Liquor and Beer Control 
    Commission. The Commission is empowered to:
        (a) Administer this Ordinance by exercising general control, 
    management, and supervision of all liquor and beer sales, places of 
    sale and sales outlets as well as exercising all powers necessary to 
    accomplish the purposes of this Ordinance.
        (b) Adopt and enforce rules and regulations in furtherance of the 
    purpose of this Ordinance and in the performance of its administrative 
    functions.
    
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    Section 202. Application for Liquor and Beer Outlet Licenses
    
        (a) Application. Any person twenty-one (21) years of age and older, 
    may apply to the Commission for a liquor and/or beer outlet license.
        (b) Licensing Requirements. The person applying for such permit 
    must make a showing once a year, and must satisfy the Commission that:
        (1) he/she is a person of good moral character;
        (2) he/she has never been convicted of violating any of the laws 
    prohibiting the traffic in any spirituous, vinous, fermented or malt 
    liquors, or of any of the gambling laws of the Tribe, state, any other 
    tribe or state of the United States or of the United States of America, 
    within three (3) years immediately preceding the date of his/her 
    petition;
        (3) he/she has not violated the laws commonly called ``prohibition 
    laws'';
        (4) he/she has not had any permit or license to sell 
    nonintoxicating liquors revoked by any governmental authority within 
    the previous twelve (12) months.
        (c) Processing of Application. The Commission's Secretary shall 
    receive and process applications and be the official representative of 
    the Tribe and Commission in matters relating to receipt of 
    applications, liquor and beer excise tax collections and related 
    matters. If the Commission or its authorized representative is 
    satisfied that the applicant is suitable and a responsible person, the 
    Commission or its authorized representative may issue a license for the 
    sale of liquor and/or beer products.
        (d) Application Fee. Each application shall be accompanied by an 
    application fee to be set by regulation of the Commission.
        (a) Discretionary Licensing. Nothing herein shall be deemed to 
    create a duty or requirement to issue a license. Issuance of licenses 
    is discretionary upon the Commission's determination of the best 
    interests of the Tribe, and the license grants a privilege, but not a 
    property right, to sell liquor and/or beer within the jurisdiction of 
    the Tribe at the licensed outlet(s).
    
    Section 203. Liquor and Beer Outlet Licenses
    
        (a) Upon approval of an application, the Commission shall issue the 
    applicant a liquor and/or beer outlet license, valid for one year from 
    the date of issuance, which shall entitle the Operator to establish and 
    maintain only the type of outlet being permitted. This license shall 
    not be transferrable. The Licensee must properly and publicly display 
    the license in the place of business. It shall be renewable at the 
    discretion of the Commission by the submission of the Licensee of a 
    subsequent application form and payment of an application fee as 
    provided in Section 202(d).
    
    Section 204. Other Business by Operator
    
        An Operator may conduct another business simultaneously with 
    managing a liquor and/or beer outlet; PROVIDED, if such other business 
    is in any manner affiliated or related to the liquor and/or beer outlet 
    it must be approved by majority vote of the Commission prior to 
    initiation. Said other business may be conducted on the same premise as 
    a liquor and/or beer outlet, but the Operator shall be required to 
    maintain separate books of account for the other business.
    
    Section 205. Revocation of Operator's License
    
        (a) Failure of an Operator to abide by the requirements of this 
    Ordinance and any additional regulations or requirements imposed by the 
    Commission will constitute grounds for revocation of the Operator's 
    license as well as enforcement of the penalties provided in Section 601 
    of this Ordinance.
        (b) Upon determining that any person licensed by the Tribe to sell 
    liquor or beer is, for any reason, no longer qualified to hold such 
    license or reasonably appears to have violated any terms of the license 
    or tribal regulations, including failure to pay taxes when due and 
    owing, or have been found by any forum of competent jurisdiction, 
    including the Commission, to have violated the terms of a tribal or 
    state license or of any provision of this Ordinance, the Chairperson of 
    the Commission shall immediately serve written notice upon the Licensee 
    directing that he/she show cause within ten days why his or her license 
    should not be revoked or restricted. The notice shall state the grounds 
    relied upon for the proposed revocation or restriction.
        (c) If the Licensee fails to respond to the notice within ten (10) 
    days of service, the Chairperson may issue an order revoking the 
    license or placing such restrictions on the license as the Chairperson 
    deems appropriate, effective immediately. The Licensee may, within the 
    10 day period, file with the Office of the Chairperson a written 
    response and request for hearing before the Commission.
        (d) At the hearing, the Licensee may present evidence and argument 
    directed at the issue of whether or not the asserted grounds for the 
    proposed revocation or restriction are in fact true, and whether such 
    grounds justify the revocation or modifications of the license. The 
    Tribe may present other evidence as it deems appropriate.
        (e) The Commission after considering all of the evidence and 
    arguments, shall issue a written decision either upholding the license, 
    revoking the license or imposing some lessor penalty (such as a 
    temporary suspension or a fine), and such decision shall be final and 
    conclusive.
        (f) The Commission's final decision, upon posting a bond with the 
    Court sufficient to cover the Commission's final hearing assessment or 
    ruling, may be appealed by Licensee to the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and 
    Nebraska Court. Any findings of fact of the Commission are conclusive 
    upon the Court unless clearly unsupported by the evidence in the 
    record. The purposes of Court review are not to substitute the Court's 
    finding of facts or opinion for the Commission's, but to guarantee due 
    process of law. If the Court should rule for the appealing party, the 
    Court may order a new hearing before the Commission giving such 
    guidance for the conduct of such as it deems necessary for a fair 
    hearing. No damage or monies may be awarded against the Commission, its 
    members, nor the Tribe and its agents and employees in such an action.
    
    Chapter Three--Liquor and Beer Sales and Transportation
    
    Section 301. Sales by Liquor and Beer Wholesalers and Transport of 
    Liquors and Beers Upon Iowa Indian Country
    
        (a) Right of Commission to scrutinize Suppliers. The Operator of 
    any licensed outlet shall keep the commission informed, in writing, of 
    the identity of the suppliers and/or wholesalers who supply or are 
    expected to supply liquor and/or beer stocks to the outlet(s). The 
    Commission may, at its discretion, limit or prohibit the purchases of 
    said stock from a supplier or wholesaler for the following reasons: 
    Non-payment of Tribal taxes; bad business practices; or sale of 
    unhealthy supplies. A ten day notice of stopping purchases (Stop 
    Purchase Order) will be given by the Commission whenever purchases from 
    a supplier are to be discontinued unless there is a health emergency, 
    in which case the Stop Purchase Order may take effect immediately.
        (b) Freedom of Information from Suppliers. Operators shall in their 
    purchase of stock and in their business relations with suppliers 
    cooperate with and assist the free flow of information and data to the 
    Commission from
    
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    suppliers relating to the sales and business arrangements between the 
    suppliers and Operators. The Commission may, at its discretion, require 
    the receipts from the suppliers of all invoices, bills of lading, 
    billings or other documentary receipts of sales to the Operators. All 
    records shall be kept according to Section 302(g) of this ordinance.
    
    Section 302. Sales by Retail Operators
    
        (a) Commission Regulations. The Commission shall adopt regulations 
    which shall supplement this Ordinance and facilitate their enforcement. 
    These regulations shall include prohibitions on sales to minors, where 
    liquor and/or beer may be consumed, persons not allowed to purchase 
    liquor and/or beer, hours and days when outlets may be open for 
    business, and other appropriate matters and controls.
        (b) Sales to Minors. No person shall give, sell, or otherwise 
    supply liquor and/or beer to any person under twenty-one (21) years of 
    age either for his or her own use or for the use of his or her parents 
    or for the use of any other person.
        (c) Consumption of Liquor and/or Beer upon Licensed Premises. No 
    Operator shall permit any person to open or consume liquor or beer on 
    his or her premises or any premises adjacent thereto and in his or her 
    control until the Commission allows the consumption of liquor and/or 
    beer and identifies where liquor and/or beer may be consumed on Iowa 
    Indian Country.
        (d) Conduct on Licensed Premises.
        (1) No operator shall be disorderly, boisterous, or intoxicated on 
    the licensed premises or on any public premises adjacent thereto which 
    are under his or her control, nor shall he or she permit any 
    disorderly, boisterous, or intoxicated person to be thereon; nor shall 
    he or she use or allow the use of profane or vulgar language thereon.
        (2) No Operator shall permit suggestive, lewd, or obscene conduct 
    or acts on his or her premises. For the purpose of this section, 
    suggestive, lewd or obscene acts or conduct shall be those acts or 
    conduct identified as such by the laws of the Tribe and/or of the State 
    of Kansas.
        (e) Employment of Minors. No person under the age of twenty-one 
    (21) years of age shall be employed in any service in connection with 
    the sale or handling of liquor, either on a paid or voluntary basis.
        (f) Operator's Premises Open to Commission Inspection. The premises 
    of all Operators, including vehicles used in connection with liquor 
    and/or beer sales, shall be open during business hours and at all other 
    reasonable times to inspection by the Commission or its designated 
    representatives.
        (g) Operator's Records. The originals or copies of all sales slips, 
    invoices, and other memoranda covering all purchases of liquor and/or 
    beer by Operators shall be kept on file in the retail premises of the 
    Operator purchasing the sale for at least five (5) years after each 
    purchase, and shall be filed separately and kept apart from all other 
    records, and as nearly as possible, shall be filed in consecutive order 
    and each month's records kept separate so as to render the same readily 
    available for inspection and checking. All canceled checks, bank 
    statements and books of accounting covering or involving the purchase 
    of liquor and/or beer, and all memoranda, if any, showing payment of 
    money for liquor and/or beer other than by check, shall be likewise 
    preserved for availability for inspection and checking.
        (h) Records Confidential. All records of the Commission showing the 
    purchase of liquor by any individual or group shall be confidential and 
    shall not be inspected except by members of the Commission or its 
    authorized representatives.
        (i) Conformity with State Law. Operators shall comply with the 
    State of Kansas liquor and beer laws to the extent required by 18 
    U.S.C. Sec. 1161. However, the Tribe shall have the fullest 
    jurisdiction allowed under Federal law over the sale of liquor and beer 
    products, and related products or activities, within the boundaries of 
    Iowa Indian Country.
    
    Section 303. Transportation through the Reservation not Affected
    
        Nothing herein shall pertain to the otherwise lawful transportation 
    of liquor or beer through the Iowa Indian Country by persons remaining 
    upon public highways and where such beverages are not delivered or sold 
    or offered for sale to anyone within the Iowa Indian Country.
    
    Chapter Four--Taxation and Audits
    
    Section 401. Excise Tax Imposed Upon Distribution of Liquor
    
        (a) General Taxing Authority. The Executive Committee shall have 
    authority, as provided by Tribal law, to assess and collect tax on 
    sales of liquor and beer products to the consumer or purchaser. The tax 
    shall be collected and paid to the Tribe upon all liquor and beer 
    products sold within the jurisdiction of the Tribe. The Executive 
    Committee may establish differing tax rates for any given class of 
    merchandise, which shall be paid prior to the time of retail sale and 
    delivery thereof. Provided, however, the total amount of the state 
    local and tribal tax shall not exceed one hundred twenty-five percent 
    (125%) of the applicable state and local taxes which apply off-
    reservation in Brown County, Kansas.
        (b) Excise Tax. An excise tax, to be set by the Executive 
    Committee, on the wholesale price shall be added to the retail selling 
    price of liquor and beer products sold to the ultimate consumer or 
    purchaser. All taxes paid pursuant to this Ordinance shall be 
    conclusively presumed to be direct taxes on the retail consumer 
    precollected for the purposes of convenience and facility only.
        (c) Tribal Tax Stamp. Within 72 hours after receipt of any liquor 
    or beer by any wholesaler or retailer subject to this Ordinance, a 
    tribal tax stamp shall be securely affixed thereto denoting the tribal 
    tax thereon. Retailers or sellers of liquor and/or beer within the 
    Tribe's jurisdiction may buy and sell or have in their possession only 
    liquor and/or beer which have the tribal tax stamp affixed to each 
    package.
    
    Section 402. Audits and Inspection
    
        (a) Inspection and Audit. All of the books and other business 
    records of the outlet shall be available for inspection and audit by 
    the Commission or its authorized representative during business hours 
    and at all other reasonable times.
        (b) Bond for Excise Tax. The excise tax, together with reports on 
    forms to be supplied by the Commission, shall be remitted to the 
    Commission on a monthly basis unless otherwise specified in writing by 
    the Commission. The Operator shall furnish a satisfactory bond to the 
    Commission in an amount to be specified by the Commission guaranteeing 
    his or her payment of excise taxes.
    
    Chapter Five--Liability Insurance and Sovereign Immunity
    
    Section 501. Liability for Bills
    
        The Tribe and the Commission shall have no legal responsibility for 
    any unpaid bills owed by a liquor and/or beer outlet to a wholesale 
    supplier or any other person.
    
    Section 502. Tribal Liability and Credit
    
        (a) Unless explicitly authorized by tribal statute, Operators are 
    forbidden to represent or give the impression to any supplier or person 
    with whom he or she does business that he or she is an official 
    representative of the Tribe or the Commission authorized to pledge 
    tribal credit or financial responsibility for any of the expenses of 
    his or her business
    
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    operation. The Operator shall hold the Tribe and the Commission 
    harmless from all claims and liability of whatever nature. The 
    Commission shall revoke an Operator's outlet license(s) if said 
    outlet(s) is not operated in a businesslike manner or if it does not 
    remain financially solvent or does not pay its operating expenses and 
    bills before they become delinquent.
        (b) Insurance. The Operator shall maintain at his or her expense 
    adequate insurance covering liability, fire, theft, vandalism, and 
    other insurable risks. The Commission may establish as a condition of 
    any license, the required insurance limits and any additional coverage 
    deemed advisable, proof of which shall be filed with the Commission.
    
    Section 503. Sovereign Immunity Preserved
    
        Nothing in this statute shall be construed as a waiver or 
    limitation of the sovereign immunity of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and 
    Nebraska or its agencies, nor their officers or employees.
    
    Chapter Six--Violations-Penalties
    
    Section 601. Violations-Penalties
    
        (a) Any person who violates this ordinance or elicits, encourages, 
    directs or causes to be violated these laws shall be guilty of an 
    offense and subject to a fine. Failure to have a current, valid or 
    proper license shall not constitute a defense to an alleged violation 
    of the licensing laws or regulations. The Tribe's Court system will 
    have jurisdiction over the proceeding.
        (1) Any person convicted of committing any violation of this 
    Ordinance shall be subject to punishment of up to one year imprisonment 
    and/or a fine not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00).
        (2) Additionally, any person upon committing any violation of any 
    provision of this Ordinance may be subject to a civil action for 
    trespass, and upon having been determined by the Court to have 
    committed the violation, shall be found to have trespassed upon the 
    lands of the Iowa Tribe, and shall be assessed such damages as the 
    Court deems appropriate in the circumstances.
        (3) Any person suspected of having violated any provision of this 
    Ordinance shall, in addition to any other penalty imposed hereunder, be 
    required to surrender any liquor or beer in such person's possession to 
    the officer making the arrest or complaint. The surrendered beverages, 
    if previously unopened, shall only be returned upon a finding by the 
    Court after trial that the individual committed no violation of this 
    Ordinance.
        (4) Any Operator who violates the provisions set forth herein shall 
    forfeit all of the remaining stock in the outlet(s). The commission 
    shall be empowered to seize forfeited products.
        (5) Any stock, goods or other items subject to this Ordinance that 
    have not been registered, licensed, or taxes paid shall be contraband 
    and subject to immediate confiscation by the Commission or its 
    employees or agents, PROVIDED, that within fifteen (15) days of the 
    seizure the Commission shall cause to be filed an action against such 
    property alleging the reason for the seizure or confiscation, and upon 
    proof, the Court shall order the property forfeited and vested in the 
    Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska.
    
    Chapter Seven--Miscellaneous Provisions
    
    Section 701. Severability
    
        If any provision of this Ordinance in its application to any person 
    or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the Ordinance and its 
    application to other persons or circumstances is not affected.
    
    Section 702. Effective Date
    
        This Ordinance shall become effective upon publication of the 
    Secretary of the Interior's certification notice in the Federal 
    Register.
    
    Section 703. Repeal of Existing Liquor Ordinance
    
        On the Effective Date, Tribal Resolution 95-R-30 shall be repealed 
    and of no further force or effect whatsoever, having been replaced and 
    superseded by this ordinance.
    
        Dated: April 6, 1998.
    Kevin Gover,
    Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
    [FR Doc. 98-10500 Filed 4-20-98; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4310-02-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
4/21/1998
Published:
04/21/1998
Department:
Indian Affairs Bureau
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice.
Document Number:
98-10500
Dates:
This Ordinance is effective April 21, 1998.
Pages:
19741-19744 (4 pages)
PDF File:
98-10500.pdf