PROTECT Act would expand tribal jurisdiction in drug cases

| June 12, 2025 12:00 AM

U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Rep. Ryan Zinke have joined other legislators in introducing the bipartisan “Protection for Reservation Occupants Against Trafficking and Evasive Communications Today (PROTECT) Act” to combat drug trafficking in tribal communities.

In a press release from Sen. Daines, he said the act would help Congress "further deliver on our promise to curb the spread of deadly drugs like fentanyl and crack down on crime."

The “PROTECT Act” would expand Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction (STCJ) to allow tribal nations to prosecute non-Native offenders for drug trafficking. It would also allow tribal courts to execute warrants for electronic material to better combat drug traffickers and other criminals.

“I’ve sat down with tribal leaders across Western Montana, and the devastation of the opioid crisis is both heartbreaking and unacceptable,” said Zinke . “The PROTECT Act gives Tribal Nations the tools and authority they need to take on the opioid crisis. It’s time we empower tribal courts and law enforcement to protect their communities and save lives.”

The act has won support from several Montana tribal leaders, including Michael Dolson, Tribal Council Chair of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

“Protecting our community remains a top priority for our Tribal Council,” he said. “We’ve already began a comprehensive strategic planning effort to expand the capacity of our courts. The PROTECT Act would support the vision we hold for our courts, to protect and serve while helping families climb out of the addiction cycle.”

Lake County Attorney James Lapotka also voiced his support.

“I think, unlike other reservations in the state, we have an incredibly good working relationship with tribal police, and the tribes here have dedicated an awful lot of resources to their drug task force,” he said. “I don’t expect the expanded jurisdiction to change anything in the short term, but I welcome all the new tools added to our tool kit to help combat this crisis.”