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Bill would fund Lake County during transition off Public Law 280
Summary
Rep. Tracy Sharp introduced HB 366 to provide $2.5 million a year to Lake County until the Flathead Reservation (CSKT) completes a retrocession and stands up its own judicial system; tribal representatives say they want more consultation and some opposition urges greater tribal input.
Representative Tracy Sharp, sponsor of House Bill 366, told the House Judiciary Committee the appropriation is designed to ease Lake County's financial burden while the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) and local authorities build a tribal judicial system. "Lake County and Lake County's taxpayers, tribal and non tribal simply cannot afford to bear the financial burden of Public Law 280 any longer," Sharp said during her opening remarks.
Why it matters: Public Law 280 transferred certain federal criminal and civil jurisdiction to states in the 1950s. Sharp said Montana's implementation on the Flathead Reservation…
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