PROTECT Act of 2025
Congress moves to let Tribal courts get warrants for digital records and prosecute more drug and gun crimes
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
↔Companion bill: Sen. Daines and Sen. Smith Introduce PROTECT Act to Give Tribal Courts Power Over Drug and Gun CrimesLegislative Progress
Key Points
- Treats Tribal courts like other courts for getting search warrants for stored emails, texts, and other electronic records.
- Lets Tribal governments use their criminal courts to handle more drug-related crimes (like trafficking and illegal possession) committed in Indian Country.
- Adds Tribal authority to prosecute certain gun-related crimes, including gun use tied to other serious crimes and gun possession by people convicted of domestic violence.
- Expands who can qualify for a federal prison program that houses certain people convicted in Tribal court under special Tribal criminal authority.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
How this policy affects specific groups of people
Milestones
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
3 articles
U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Steve Daines Re-Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Combat Drug, Gun Crimes on Tribal Lands
Announces the PROTECT Act to expand Tribal authority to prosecute certain drug and gun crimes in Indian Country and allow Tribal courts to execute warrants for electronic communications.
Daines, Smith, Larsen, Zinke Introduce Bill to Combat Drug Trafficking in Montana’s Tribal Communities
Release describing the PROTECT Act’s expansion of Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction to cover drug trafficking and related gun crimes, plus Tribal court warrant authority for electronic material.
Zinke, Daines, Smith, Larsen Introduce Bill to Combat Drug Trafficking in Montana’s Tribal Communities
House-side announcement of the PROTECT Act, emphasizing expanded Tribal prosecution authority for drug trafficking and recognition of Tribal court warrants for electronic evidence.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
PROTECT Act of 2025
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(17)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.