Appeal Proceedings Before the Commission

The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC or Commission) promulgates this final rule to enhance and clarify appeal proceedings before the Commission. This final rule removes three parts concerning appeals, and adds a new subchapter concerning appeal proceedings before the Commission. This final rule has six parts. First, the Rules of General Application in Appeal Proceedings Before the Commission define certain terms, set forth the burden of proof and standard of review, explain the content of a Commission decision, uniformly provide for resolution of an appeal if the Commission does not issue a majority decision, and clarify that an appeal of the Chair's decision for matters other than disapproval of a gaming ordinance does not stay the effect of that decision. Next, the regulations set forth rules for motion practice in appeals before the Commission. This part addresses: How an entity other than a tribe can request to participate on a limited basis in ordinance appeals; how parties file motions to intervene, to supplement the record, and for reconsideration; and how parties file motions before the presiding official. Following these two general parts, the regulations set forth more specific rules for the different types of appeals. Rules for appeals of ordinance disapprovals, management contract approvals and disapprovals, appeals before a presiding official, and appeals before the Commission on written submission only, each have their own unique appellate procedures.