PROTECT Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2]
Introduced
Summary
Expands Tribal court authority over electronic data and strengthens Tribal criminal jurisdiction for drug and firearm offenses. This bill would add Tribal courts to the Stored Communications Act so they could seek warrants for electronic communications. It would broaden the Indian Civil Rights Act to cover controlled substance related offenses and certain firearms offenses. It would also let more tribal convictions participate in the Bureau of Prisons Tribal Prisoner Program.
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- Tribal courts and Tribes: Would treat Tribal courts as governmental entities with warrant power under the Stored Communications Act. They could issue warrants for electronic content stored up to 180 days and follow ordinary warrant rules for older data. The bill also inserts Tribal status in delayed notice actions and related civil procedures.
- Tribal public safety and justice personnel: Would add assault of Tribal justice personnel, controlled substance related offenses, and firearms offenses to the list of enumerated offenses under 25 U.S.C. 1304. Definitions in the bill cover trafficking, unlawful possession, paraphernalia, and use or possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime.
- People convicted and prison programs: Would expand the Bureau of Prisons Tribal Prisoner Program to include offenders convicted under tribal criminal jurisdiction authorized by the Indian Civil Rights Act. This broadens eligibility for tribal prisoner programming.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More tribal authority over drug and gun crimes
If enacted, tribes would have clearer power to charge drug trafficking, drug possession, and paraphernalia crimes in Indian country. It would also add firearms offenses, like using or having a gun during a covered crime, or by someone with a prior domestic-violence conviction. Assaults on tribal justice staff would be listed as covered crimes. People convicted under this special tribal jurisdiction could be included in the Bureau of Prisons Tribal Prisoner Program, which could change where they are housed or transferred. These changes would take effect upon enactment.
Tribal courts could issue digital data warrants
The bill would treat tribal governments like other governments under the Stored Communications Act. Tribal courts could issue warrants for emails and messages stored 180 days or less, using standard SCA warrant rules. Tribal authorities could also use delayed notice where allowed and rely on SCA civil and privacy protections. These changes would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2]
WA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Zinke, Ryan K. [R-MT-1]
MT • R
Sponsored 6/5/2025
Rep. Perez, Marie Gluesenkamp [D-WA-3]
WA • D
Sponsored 6/5/2025
Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4]
WA • R
Sponsored 6/5/2025
Cole
OK • R
Sponsored 6/5/2025
Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3]
CO • R
Sponsored 6/5/2025
Simpson
ID • R
Sponsored 6/5/2025
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
PA • R
Sponsored 6/10/2025
DelBene
WA • D
Sponsored 7/2/2025
Rep. Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5]
WA • R
Sponsored 7/2/2025
Smith (WA)
WA • D
Sponsored 7/10/2025
Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]
KS • D
Sponsored 7/15/2025
Rep. Issa, Darrell [R-CA-48]
CA • R
Sponsored 8/5/2025
LaMalfa
CA • R
Sponsored 9/15/2025
Ellzey
TX • R
Sponsored 9/18/2025
Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41]
CA • R
Sponsored 10/24/2025
Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]
CO • D
Sponsored 1/13/2026
Randall
WA • D
Sponsored 2/11/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov