Yakama Nation hosts meeting on Public Law 280 bill in state

Monday, September 12, 2011  

The Yakama Nation of Washington is hosting a meeting on Friday to discuss HR 1448, a bill that affects criminal and civil jurisdiction.

Washington exercises jurisdiction in Indian Country under Public Law 280. The bill, introduced by State Rep. John McCoy (D), requires the state to cede its authority if a tribe requests it.

So far, seven of the 29 tribes in Washington have seen federal authority return to their reservations. Other tribes support the bill but it didn't pass during the most recent legislative session.

As a result, the Tribal Retrocession Task Force has been formed to look into the idea.

Get the Story:
Tribes work to undo state's right of authority (The Yakima Herald-Republic 9/11)