Critics claim CA bill to increase Native American power will slow growth

By Dave Roberts | Cal Watchdog

Assembly Bill 52, which would increase the power of California’s Native American tribes to delay or halt development in areas sensitive to Indian heritage, is raising concerns about more lawsuits and slower growth in the state.

The bill’s backers contend that current California Environmental Quality Act regulations are not adequate to preserve Indian historical, cultural and sacred sites from encroaching development. But local government officials, developers and business groups disagree.

AB52 is scheduled to be considered by the Senate Environmental Quality Committee on Wednesday. It sailed through the Assembly last year, with no votes against it either in committees or on the Assembly floor (Republicans abstained).

at Cal Watchdog.