Coeur d'Alene law enforcement bill wins vote after long hearing

Thursday, February 10, 2011  

The Idaho House Judiciary Committee approved a law enforcement bill for the Coeur d'Alene Tribe after a six-hour hearing on Wednesday.

The bill allows the tribe to enforce state laws on the reservation. Non-Indian offenders will be processed in state court, not in tribal court.

The tribe already had a cross-deputization agreement with Kootenai County. The Benewah County sheriff revoked a similar agreement and the county has expressed opposition to the bill, by raising constitutionality and other issues.

“I think they’re trying to move all the other stuff onto it to muddy the water. All we’re talking about is public safety for all," Chief Allan, the chairman of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, told The Spokesman Review.

The committee passed the bill on a 8-6 vote. It will go to the full House for a vote.

Get the Story:
CdA Tribe wins policing bill vote after 6-hour hearing (The Spokesman Review 2/10)
After nearly six hours, House committee clears tribal policing bill (The Idaho Reporter 2/10)

Related Stories:
Editorial: Resolve dispute for Coeur d'Alene law enforcement bill (1/24)
Coeur d'Alene Tribe once again lobbying for law enforcement bill (1/21)
Human Rights Panel: County mistreatment of Coeur d'Alene Tribe (7/15)
County battles BIA ruling on Coeur d'Alene Tribe land-into-trust (7/9)
Chief Allan reappointed as chairman of Coeur d'Alene Tribe (5/4)
Editorial: Public suffers in Coeur d'Alene policing dispute (4/26)
Coeur d'Alene Tribe blasts county on policing agreement (4/22)
Coeur d'Alene Tribe, county agree on law enforcement (3/18)
Counties opposing Coeur d'Alene law enforcement bill (3/5)
Coeur d'Alene Tribe at odds with county over police (02/11)
Coeur d'Alene Tribe law enforcement bill introduced (2/10)
Editorial: Sheriff wrong about Coeur d'Alene policing (2/8)
Coeur d'Alene law enforcement bill stirs controversy (02/05)
Editorial: Back tribal arrest authority over non-Indians (2/3)