All Roll Calls
Yes: 171 • No: 27
North CarolinaSB 6552025-2026 SessionSenateWALLET
AN ACT TO EXTEND CERTAIN RIGHTS TO THE CATAWBA INDIAN NATION AS THE EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS.
Sponsored By: W. Ted Alexander (Republican), Jr. Danny Earl Britt (Republican), Brad Overcash (Republican)
Signed by Governor
ANIMALSARCHAEOLOGYBOARDSCOLLEGES & UNIVERSITIESCOMMISSIONSCOMMUNITY COLLEGESCOUNTIESCOURTSCULTURAL RESOURCESNATURAL & CULTURAL RESOURCES DEPT
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
More benefits and training for tribal responders
Service as a tribal law enforcement officer for the Eastern Band or the Catawba Nation counts under state criminal justice and Article 12E rules. For Article 12E, the tribe is treated as the employer. The State Board of Community Colleges may waive tuition and registration fees for approved specialized courses requested by tribal law enforcement, fire, EMS, rescue, or lifesaving programs. The Board sets the approved course list and uniform rules.
North Carolina honors tribal orders and driving
North Carolina courts honor judgments signed and filed in the Eastern Band or Catawba tribal courts, and tribal courts honor State court judgments. Limited driving privileges issued and filed by those tribal courts are valid statewide. The court system must run information‑sharing for civil and criminal cases with both tribes. On request, the State sends three copies of appellate division reports to each tribal court at State expense.
Tribal probation and parole with state records
The Eastern Band’s Supreme Court and the Catawba Nation may run probation and parole agencies, such as the Cherokee Marshals Service. Marshals must meet the standards in G.S. 1E‑12 and have the same powers and immunities set there. Marshals may access North Carolina DPS probation and parole records like state officers for people under their tribal courts’ criminal jurisdiction. DPS can use memoranda of understanding to handle information transfers.
Trespass for returning after tribal ban
If the Eastern Band Tribal Council or the Catawba Nation Executive Committee passes a resolution that excludes you, going onto those tribal lands is first‑degree trespass. Entering or staying after exclusion can be charged as a crime.
County services on tribal land need agreements
Counties do not have to provide most services on Eastern Band or Catawba trust lands. They must still provide public health or human services they traditionally provide unless the tribe has taken them over. Any other service on trust land needs a written agreement signed by the tribe’s Principal Chief and the county manager or a delegated department head.
Clear rules for tribal police powers
Municipal police rules now apply to the Eastern Band and the Catawba Nation, except G.S. 160A‑283, ‑286, ‑287, and ‑289.1. The law maps municipal terms to tribal roles and police agencies. Tribal officers must meet state certification rules before using police powers. Their authority covers tribe‑owned or leased property within trust lands and cases in immediate, continuous flight. They have no authority on the other tribe’s land unless the tribes sign a separate agreement.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
W. Ted Alexander
Republican • Senate
Jr. Danny Earl Britt
Republican • Senate
Brad Overcash
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Woodson Bradley
Democratic • Senate
Jr. David W. Craven
Republican • Senate
Amy S. Galey
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 6/26/2025
SB 655: Extend Certain Rights to Catawba Nation.
Yes: 37 • No: 5 • Other: 8
House vote • 6/18/2025
SB 655: Extend Certain Rights to Catawba Nation.
Yes: 105 • No: 4 • Other: 10
Senate vote • 5/7/2025
SB 655: Extend Certain Rights to Catawba Nation.
Yes: 29 • No: 18 • Other: 3
Actions Timeline
Ch. SL 2025-57
7/3/2025SenateSigned by Gov. 7/3/2025
7/3/2025SenatePres. To Gov. 6/30/2025
6/30/2025SenateRatified
6/30/2025SenateOrdered Enrolled
6/26/2025SenateConcurred In H Com Sub
6/26/2025SenatePlaced on Today's Calendar
6/26/2025SenateWithdrawn From Com
6/26/2025SenateRef To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
6/18/2025SenateSpecial Message Received For Concurrence in H Com Sub
6/18/2025SenateSpecial Message Sent To Senate
6/18/2025HousePassed 3rd Reading
6/18/2025HousePassed 2nd Reading
6/18/2025HouseAdded to Calendar
6/18/2025HouseCal Pursuant Rule 36(b)
6/18/2025HouseReptd Fav
6/18/2025HouseRe-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
6/17/2025HouseReptd Fav Com Substitute
6/17/2025HouseRe-ref to the Com on Judiciary 1, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
6/5/2025HouseWithdrawn From Com
6/5/2025HouseRef To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
5/8/2025HousePassed 1st Reading
5/8/2025HouseSpecial Message Received From Senate
5/7/2025HouseSpecial Message Sent To House
5/7/2025SenatePassed 3rd Reading
5/7/2025Senate
Bill Text
Edition 1
Edition 2
Edition 3
Edition 4
Filed
Latest Edition
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