Three Republican leaders in the Florida Senate say their trip to Las Vegas during Super Bowl weekend with the chairman of the Miccosukee Tribe was personal.

But some legislative business was discussed while on a private plane paid by some non-Indian business owners. Miccosukee chairman Billy Cypress and one lawmaker briefly talked about a bill to strip the state of civil and criminal jurisdiction on Miccosukee tribal lands.

The bill garnered some controversy as it was pushed through the Legislature last year. Law enforcement groups said they oppose giving up exclusive jurisdiction to the tribe and the federal government.

The state has authority as a result of termination-era federal laws. Most other states do not have civil or criminal jurisdiction on Indian lands.

Get the Story:
Senators defend trip to Vegas as personal (The St. Petersburg Times 2/4)

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