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119-s-1574119th Congress

Tribal Access to Electronic Evidence Act

Sponsored By: Senator Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]

Passed Senate

Summary

This bill brings _Tribal courts into the Stored Communications Act_, letting tribal judges issue warrants and use notice and civil-remedy tools for electronic communications. It also defines who counts as an "Indian Tribe" and what a "Tribal court" is for those rules.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Tribal court warrants for online data

If enacted, providers would need a court warrant to give out emails or messages stored 180 days or less. Warrants could come from federal, state, military, or Tribal courts. Tribal warrants would need procedures that comply with 25 U.S.C. 1302(a)(2). The bill would also define which Tribes count using the Interior Department’s most recent list and what qualifies as a Tribal court.

Tribal delayed notice and video records

If enacted, Tribal authorities would be able to seek delayed‑notice orders, so people would be told later about a data request. The bill would also let Tribal courts issue warrants for video rental or sale records if the warrant follows 25 U.S.C. 1302(a)(2). Providers and governments would treat Tribal requests like State requests under these rules.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]

NV • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD]

    SD • R

    Sponsored 5/1/2025

  • Rep. Mullin, Markwayne [R-OK-2]

    OK • R

    Sponsored 2/24/2026

  • Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 3/2/2026

  • Sen. Armstrong, Alan [R-OK]

    OK • R

    Sponsored 6/8/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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