S. 1967: Protection for Reservation Occupants against Trafficking and Evasive Communications Today Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Protection for Reservation Occupants against Trafficking and Evasive Communications Today Act of 2025 or the PROTECT Act of 2025, seeks to make significant amendments regarding tribal jurisdiction and law enforcement in the United States, particularly concerning the authorities of tribal courts and their ability to handle specific criminal matters.

Amendments to the Stored Communications Act

The bill amends the Stored Communications Act to recognize tribal courts as legitimate courts with jurisdiction. This means:

• Tribal courts will be permitted to issue warrants for the disclosure of electronic communications.
• Law enforcement agencies in tribal jurisdictions will have greater authority to require communications service providers to comply with investigations.

Specifically, it sets forth warrant requirements for accessing stored communication data, distinguishing between data held for less than and more than 180 days.

Tribal Jurisdiction over Controlled Substances

The bill expands tribal jurisdiction under the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 to include:

• Controlled substances and related offenses, such as drug trafficking and unlawful possession.
• Firearms offenses, defined as violations related to the use or possession of firearms in the context of covered crimes or by individuals with prior domestic violence convictions.

This change allows tribal authorities to enforce their laws on drug-related crimes and firearms violations on tribal lands, thus enhancing their law enforcement capabilities.

Clarifications and Definitions

The bill provides clear definitions for terms such as:

• Controlled substance-related offense: Includes drug trafficking, unlawful possession of drugs, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Firearms offense: Covers violations of tribal laws involving firearms.

Bureau of Prisons Tribal Prisoner Program

Additionally, the bill modifies provisions related to the Bureau of Prisons Tribal Prisoner Program, allowing it to include offenders convicted under tribal law for specific crimes under special tribal jurisdiction.

Implementation and Reporting

The bill establishes that these amendments aim to strengthen tribal sovereignty and enhance the ability of tribal nations to enforce laws and maintain order within their communities.

Relevant Companies

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