The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs approved S.2159, Spirit Lake Indian Reservation Criminal Jurisdiction Retrocession Act, at a business meeting on July 24, 2019.

The bill repeals a termination-era law that subjects American Indians on the Spirit Lake Nation to prosecution by the state of North Dakota for certain crimes. It enjoys support from the Spirit Lake Nation, the entire Congressional delegation and the governor of North Dakota.

The bill can now be considered by the full U.S. Senate.

Committee Notice:

https://www.indian.senate.gov/hearing/business-meeting-consider-s-2159