Tribes in Washington are supporting HR 1448, a bill that affects criminal and civil jurisdiction in Indian Country.

The state exercises jurisdiction in Indian Country under Public Law 280. This affects not just criminal matters but also civil matters like adoption, juvenile delinquency and disputes between tribal members.

HR 1448 creates a process for tribes, and the federal government, to resume exclusive jurisdiction on reservations. It received a favorable first reading before a House committee last week.

"Tribes have co-jurisdiction now, and it's not your decision on whether tribes get retrocession," Rep. John McCoy (D), who introduced the bill, told the Associated Press . "It's like we're the child, and the non-Indian government is the parent."

Gov. Chris Gregoire (D) supports the bill.

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Legislature considers wider authority for tribal courts (AP 2/20)

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Yakama Nation hosts meeting on Public Law 280 bill in state (09/12)