[HISTORY: Adopted by the Tribal Council of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi 10-18-2012 by Res. No. 10-18-12-12 (Title VIII, Ch. 4, of the Tribal Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Gaming — See Ch. 8.5.
Criminal laws — See Ch. 8.6.
Civil infractions — See Ch. 8.9.
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to prohibit the importation, manufacture, distribution and sale of liquor and alcoholic beverages on the Reservation except pursuant to a license issued by the Tribe under the provisions of this chapter and other applicable tribal laws.
B. 
Authority. The Tribal Council has authority to adopt this Liquor Control Code ("code") pursuant to the authority and powers vested in it by Article VI, Section 1(a), (h) and (l) of the Constitution and the inherent authority of the Tribe to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the Tribe. Further, the United States Supreme Court held in United States v. Mazurie, 419 U.S. 544 (1975), that Congress through 18 U.S.C. § 1161 delegated to Indian tribes authority to control the introduction, distribution and consumption of alcoholic liquor within Indian country.
The introduction, possession, transportation, and sale of intoxicating beverages shall be lawful within the Indian country under the jurisdiction of the Tribe, provided that such introduction, possession, transportation, and sale are in conformity with the laws of the State of Michigan and with the provisions of this chapter.
As used in this chapter, the following definitions apply:
ALCOHOL
That substance known as ethyl alcohol, hydrated oxide of ethyl, or spirit of wine, which is commonly produced by the fermentation or distillation of grain, starch, molasses, or sugar, or other substances, including all dilutions and mixtures of this substance.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE
A compound for human consumption as a drink that contains more than 0.5% of alcohol by volume.
BEER
Any beverage obtained by the alcoholic fermentation of an infusion or decoction of pure hops, or pure extract of hops and pure barley malt or other wholesome grain or cereal in pure water containing not more than 4% of alcohol by weight and not less than 1/2 of 1% of alcohol by volume. For the purposes of this chapter, any such beverage, including ale, stout and porter, containing more than 4% of alcohol by weight shall be referred to as "strong beer."
CODE
This code (chapter), which provides for the authorization and regulation of alcoholic beverages adopted pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1161.
HOTEL
A building or group of buildings located on the same or adjoining pieces of real property, which provide lodging to travelers or tourists and which may also provide food service and other goods and services to registered guests and to the public.
IMMEDIATE FAMILY
Spouse, brother, sister, child or parent.
INTOXICATED PERSON
A person whose mental or physical functioning is substantially impaired as a result of the use of alcohol.
LICENSEE
Includes the licensee's employees and agents and means one who holds a valid license from the Tribe to sell alcoholic beverages at retail on the Reservation.
LIQUOR
The four varieties of liquor herein defined (alcohol, spirits, wine and beer), and all fermented, spirituous, vinous or malt liquor, or combinations thereof and mixed liquor, a part of which is fermented, spirituous, vinous or malt liquor, or otherwise intoxicating. Every liquid or solid or semi-solid or other substance, patented or not, containing alcohol, spirits, wine or beer and all drinks or drinkable liquids and all preparations or mixtures capable of human consumption and any liquid, semi-solid, solid or other substance which contains more than 1% of alcohol by weight shall be conclusively deemed to be liquor within the meaning of this chapter.
MINOR
A person under 21 years of age.
ON-PREMISES RESORT LICENSE
A license issued to a business where alcoholic beverages are served and consumed on the licensed premises and the licensee meets the following conditions:
A. 
The business has a hotel which provides for the rental of, and maintains the availability for rental of, not less than 100 bedrooms;
B. 
The business has dining facilities serving full-course meals, which seat not less than 100 persons; and
C. 
The business must offer at least one of the following:
(1) 
Some type of public recreational or entertainment activity on the premises or in close proximity; and/or
(2) 
Meeting or conference rooms, or convention facilities.
PERSON
Any applicant for a liquor license.
RESERVATION
All lands, the title to which is held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi; and all lands proclaimed by the Secretary of the Interior to be part of the Tribe's Reservation. The term "Reservation" includes any rights-of-way running through the Reservation.
SPIRITS
Any beverage which contains alcohol by distillation, including wines exceeding 17% of alcohol by weight.
TRIBAL COUNCIL
The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Tribal Council, the governing body of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi.
TRIBE
Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi.
WINE
Any alcoholic beverage obtained by fermentation of fruits (grapes, berries, apples, etc.) or other agricultural products containing sugar, to which any saccharine substances may have been added before, during or after fermentation and containing not more than 17% of alcohol by weight, including sweet wines fortified with wine spirits, such as port, sherry, muscatel and angelica, not exceeding 17% of alcohol by weight.
No person shall engage in the sale of intoxicating beverages within the Reservation or Indian country under the jurisdiction of the Tribe, unless duly licensed, permitted or authorized to do so by the Tribe in accordance with the terms of this chapter and the State of Michigan, including Section 10 of the Tribal-State Class III Gaming Compact.
No tribal license shall issue under this chapter except upon a sworn application filed with the Tribal Council containing the following:
A. 
Agreement by the applicant to accept and abide by all conditions of the tribal license and federal law.
B. 
Sworn statement that the applicant has not been convicted of a felony.
C. 
In the case of the tribally operated casino, the application shall be in the name of the FireKeepers Hotel & Casino and shall be filed by the chief executive officer or general manager of the Casino.
D. 
Satisfactory proof that notice of the application has been posted in a prominent, noticeable place on the premises where intoxicating beverages are to be sold for at least ten (10) days prior to consideration by the Tribal Council and has been published at least once in such local newspaper serving the community that may be affected by the license as the Tribal Council Chairman or Secretary may authorize. The notice shall state the date, time and place when the application shall be considered by the Tribal Council pursuant to § 8.4-6 of this chapter.
All applications for a tribal liquor license shall be considered by the Tribal Council in open session at which the applicant, his attorney and any person protesting the application shall have the right to be present, and to offer sworn oral or documentary evidence relevant to the application. After the hearing, the Tribal Council shall determine whether to grant or deny the application, based on:
A. 
Whether the requirements of § 8.4-5 have been met; and
B. 
Whether the Tribal Council, in its discretion, determines that granting the license is in the best interests of the Tribe.
Any tribal license issued under this chapter shall be subject to such reasonable conditions as the Tribal Council shall fix, including, but not limited to, the following:
A. 
The license shall be for a term of one (1) year.
B. 
The licensee shall at all times maintain an orderly, clean, and neat establishment, both inside and outside the licensed premises.
C. 
The licensed premises shall be subject to patrol by the Tribal Police Department, and such other law enforcement officials as may be authorized under federal or tribal law.
D. 
The licensed premises shall be open to inspection by duly authorized tribal officials at all times during the regular business hours.
E. 
Subject to the provisions of Subsection F of this section, no intoxicating beverages shall be sold, served, disposed of, delivered or given to any person or consumed on the licensed premises except in conformity with the hours and days prescribed by the laws of the State of Michigan, and in accordance with the hours fixed by the Tribal Council, provided that the licensed premises shall not operate or open earlier or operate or close later than is permitted by the laws of the State of Michigan.
F. 
No liquor shall be sold within 200 feet of a polling place on tribal election days, or when a referendum is held of the people of the Tribe, or on special days of observance as designated by the Tribal Council.
G. 
Any spirits resold for consumption at a Class III gaming establishment shall be purchased from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, and beer and wine from distributors licensed by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.
H. 
All acts and transactions under authority of the tribal liquor license shall be in conformity with the laws of the State of Michigan, and shall be in accordance with this chapter and any tribal license issued pursuant to this chapter.
I. 
No person under the age permitted under the law of the State of Michigan shall be sold, served, delivered, given or allowed to consume alcoholic beverages in the licensed establishment and/or area.
J. 
Alcoholic beverages shall not be given away in any facility licensed under this chapter; provided that this restriction shall not prohibit the holder of an on-premises resort license from giving away alcoholic beverages to an invitee or guest in connection with a business event or as part of a room special or promotion for overnight accommodations.
K. 
No person licensed under this chapter shall sell, deliver, give away, or cause to be sold, delivered, or given away any alcoholic beverage to any intoxicated person, or any person who appears to be intoxicated.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a tribal liquor license is a mere permit for a fixed duration of time. A tribal liquor license shall not be deemed a property right or vested right of any kind, and the granting of a tribal liquor license shall not give rise to a presumption or legal entitlement to the granting of such license for a subsequent time period.
No tribal license issued under this chapter shall be assigned or transferred without the written approval of the Tribal Council expressed by formal resolution.
Any license issued hereunder may be suspended or canceled by the Tribal Council for the breach of any of the provisions of this chapter, or of the tribal license, upon hearing before the Tribal Council after ten (10) days' notice to the licensee. The decision of the Tribal Council shall be final.
A. 
In accordance with 18 U.S.C. § 1161, the Tribe hereby adopts and applies as tribal law those Michigan laws, as amended, relating to the sale and regulation of alcoholic beverages encompassing the following areas: sale to a minor; sale to a visibly intoxicated individual; sale of adulterated or misbranded liquor; hours of operation; and similar substantive provisions. The tribal laws that are defined by reference to the substantive areas of Michigan laws referred to in this section shall apply in the same manner and to the same extent as such laws apply elsewhere in Michigan to off-Reservation transactions unless otherwise agreed by the Tribe and state. Whenever such Michigan laws are incorporated by reference, amendments to those laws shall also be deemed to be incorporated upon their effective date in the State of Michigan, without further action by the Tribal Council.
B. 
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as a consent by the Tribe to the jurisdiction of the State of Michigan or any of its courts or subordinate political subdivisions or municipalities within the Reservation over any activity arising under or related to the subject of this chapter, nor shall anything in this chapter constitute an express or implied waiver of the sovereign immunity of the Tribe.
Any person adjudged to be in violation of this chapter, including any lawful regulation under this chapter, shall be subject to a civil fine of not more than $500 for each such violation. The Tribal Council may adopt by resolution a separate schedule for fines for each type of violation, taking into account the seriousness and threat the violation may pose to the general health and welfare. Such schedule may also provide, in the case of repeated violations, for imposition of monetary penalties greater than the $500 limitation set forth above. The penalties provided for in this section shall be in addition to any criminal penalties that may be imposed under applicable law.
Any violation of this chapter shall constitute a public nuisance. The Tribe may initiate and maintain an action in Tribal Court to abate and permanently enjoin any nuisance declared under this chapter. Any action taken under this section shall be in addition to any other penalties provided for in this chapter or elsewhere under tribal or federal law. The Tribe shall not be required to give bond in an action under this section.
The Tribal Council is authorized to adopt such regulations as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this chapter.