HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1362

                    As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to retrocession of criminal jurisdiction.

Brief Description:  Providing for retrocession of criminal jurisdiction by the Muckleshoot Tribe.

Sponsors:  Representatives Robertson, L. Thomas and Sheldon.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Law & Justice:  1/31/95, 2/10/95 [DP].

  Floor Activity:

     Passed House:  2/22/95, 97-0.

Passed Legislature.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 17 members:  Representatives Padden, Chairman; Delvin, Vice Chairman; Hickel, Vice Chairman; Appelwick, Ranking Minority Member; Costa, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Campbell; Carrell; Chappell; Cody; Lambert; McMahan; Morris; Robertson; Sheahan; Smith; Thibaudeau and Veloria.

Staff:  Bill Perry (786-7123).

Background:  Under authorization of federal law, Washington State in 1963 assumed criminal and civil jurisdiction over Indians and Indian lands within the state.  The federal law also permits a state to retrocede jurisdiction back to an Indian tribe and the federal government.

Under retrocession, the federal government rather than the tribe has jurisdiction over so-called major crimes committed by Indians on Indian lands.  Major crimes under the federal law include homicide, assault, rape, kidnapping, arson, burglary, and robbery, among other felonies. 

Retrocession requires agreement among the state, the tribe, and the federal government.  Once the Legislature authorizes retrocession, the affected tribe must send the Governor a resolution requesting retrocession.  If the Governor decides to authorize retrocession, he or she must do so by issuing a proclamation within 90 days of receipt of the tribal resolution.  Once the federal government accepts the proclamation, retrocession is effective.

Over the past nine years, five tribes in Washington have sought and received retrocession of state jurisdiction over criminal acts by Indians committed on tribal lands.  These tribes are the Quileute, Chehalis, Skokomish, and Swinomish Tribes, and the Colville Confederated Tribes of Washington.

Tribes that remain subject to state jurisdiction may enter into arrangements with local law enforcement agencies for providing law enforcement on tribal lands.  However, tribes subject to full state criminal jurisdiction are not eligible for federal money for law enforcement.  Some local agencies have experienced financial difficulty in continuing to participate in law enforcement on tribal lands.  Those tribes that have sought and received retrocession of state jurisdiction have become eligible for federal funding for law enforcement.

Summary of Bill:  Under the provisions of federal law, the state retrocedes criminal jurisdiction to the Muckleshoot Tribe.  The retrocession applies only to crimes committed by Indians on tribal lands.

The Muckleshoot Tribe is authorized to pass a resolution asking the Governor to issue a proclamation retroceding criminal jurisdiction.  Retrocession becomes effective if accepted by the federal government.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The bill will allow better law enforcement coverage of tribal lands and will save both local government and tribal resources.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Robertson, prime sponsor (pro); Leo LaClair, Muckleshoot Tribe (pro); Leslie Donovan, Muckleshoot Tribe (pro); Richard Rykard, citizen (pro); and Mary Murphy, League of Women Voters (pro).