Representative Tyson Running Wolf introduced House Joint Resolution 1 to the House Energy, Technology and Federal Relations Committee, urging the United States Congress and federal agencies to “support fully funding public safety and law enforcement agencies, programs, services and activities within Montana's Indian reservations.”

The resolution asks the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior to develop cooperative plans to administer Indian country public safety programs and to consult government-to-government with tribal nations; it also invites Montana tribes to submit companion resolutions to be forwarded to Congress and calls on the governor to send a supporting letter to Washington.

Why it matters: Tribal leaders and state officials told the committee that underfunding of federal public-safety programs on reservations has contributed to serious public-safety gaps, including drug trafficking and elevated numbers of missing Indigenous people. Supporters said the resolution is a non‑binding state call to action that would mobilize Montana’s congressional delegation and tribal governments to press for increased federal appropriations.

Tribal and state testimony. Lance Fourstar presented a written letter from the Montana American Indian Caucus urging a “do pass” recommendation. Patrick Yawake, representing the Blackfeet Tribe, cited federal hearings and state reports to describe resource shortfalls: “tribal nations in Montana have a long history of not receiving the resources they need to uphold proper law enforcement within the borders of their reservation lands,” and he noted Montana Native people were about 6.5% of the state but made up roughly 30.6% of reported missing people in 2023, with 44 missing as of May 2024 and 23 missing over a year.

Allen Doane of the Montana Department of Justice — who said he chairs the state Missing Indigenous Person Task Force — told the committee that because of the Enabling Act of 1889 and Article 1 of the Montana Constitution, the state lacks law‑enforcement jurisdiction on reservations and that federal funding is the appropriate federal responsibility. Dan Stusick, representing the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, said the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Department of Justice funding formulas cover only a fraction of tribal needs. Mark Lambrecht of the Montana Electric Cooperative Association and Jade Bahr of the Montana Budget and Policy Center also voiced support; Bahr added that law enforcement funding should be part of a broader set of federal supports that include health, education and economic opportunity.

Questions from legislators. Representative Sharp asked what “fully funded” would mean in practice; Representative Tyson Running Wolf replied that funding needs vary by reservation depending on land base and population, and said current federal formulas and historic allocations have not kept pace with tribal needs. Representative Millett asked whether tribes have already passed companion resolutions; Running Wolf said many tribes pass annual funding resolutions and could attach or prepare resolutions to accompany HJ1.

Formal action and next steps. The committee held a public hearing and took testimony; no committee vote on HJ1 was recorded in the hearing transcript. The resolution’s text states no appropriation is required: it is a request that federal authorities and members of Congress act. The hearing on HJ1 concluded with the chair noting the record and closing testimony.