Bipartisan Bill Aims to Combat Drug Trafficking on Montana Tribal Lands

WASHINGTON — A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced legislation Tuesday to give Montana’s tribal nations expanded authority to prosecute non-Native drug traffickers operating on reservation lands.

The Protection for Reservation Occupants Against Trafficking and Evasive Communications Today (PROTECT) Act would expand Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction to allow tribal courts to prosecute non-Native offenders for drug trafficking. The bill would also authorize tribal courts to execute warrants for electronic evidence to better investigate drug crimes.

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., led the bipartisan effort alongside Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., and Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, we’ve seen strong decisive action to secure the southern border and keep our communities safe,” Daines said. “I’m proud to work alongside my bipartisan colleagues to further deliver on our promise to curb the spread of deadly drugs like fentanyl and crack down on crime.”

The legislation addresses a jurisdictional gap that has allowed drug traffickers to exploit tribal lands. Currently, tribal courts have limited authority to prosecute non-Native offenders, creating enforcement challenges for tribal law enforcement.

“For years, Tribal leaders in Minnesota have raised the alarm that drug traffickers are exploiting complex legal jurisdiction on Tribal land, making Native communities some of the most hurt by the opioid and fentanyl epidemics,” Smith said. “I hear directly from Tribal leaders about how their sheriffs will routinely arrest the same people for selling drugs, drop them off with the county police, and have to arrest them again the next day.”

The bill has garnered support from several Montana tribal leaders. Justin Gray Hawk Sr., chairman of the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes at Fort Peck, praised the legislation’s potential impact.

“Drug dealers are devastating our communities, we need all the tools possible to stop this scourge,” Gray Hawk said. “We thank Senator Daines for his leadership on this issue.”

Gene Small, president of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, called on Congress to act swiftly on the measure.

“Congress must meet its responsibilities and pass this legislation so we can keep our people safe,” Small said.

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen endorsed the bill, citing concerns about cartel activity targeting tribal communities.

“Leaving our tribal communities without the authority to hold non-Native traffickers accountable makes them a target for the cartels that are bringing deadly drugs, like fentanyl, across the southern border,” Knudsen said.

The House companion bill includes additional co-sponsors: Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp-Perez, D-Wash., Jeff Hurd, R-Colo., Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, Tom Cole, R-Okla., and Dan Newhouse, R-Wash.

Zinke emphasized the urgency of addressing the opioid crisis in tribal communities.

“I’ve sat down with tribal leaders across Western Montana, and the devastation of the opioid crisis is both heartbreaking and unacceptable,” Zinke said. “The PROTECT Act gives Tribal Nations the tools and authority they need to take on the opioid crisis.”

Michael Dolson, tribal council chairman of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, said the legislation aligns with his tribe’s strategic planning efforts to expand court capacity and combat addiction in their community.