WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 4712 · 119th Congress

Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act

IntroducedNative Americans
IntroducedJul 23, 2025
Passed HouseNot yet
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Introduced. Latest step, Jul 23, 2025: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Natural Resources. It would change 1 section of existing law and would add 1 new provisions of its own.

How this bill changes the law

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H.R. 4712 would change 1 section of existing law, and would create 1 new provision of its own. Read from the bill text as introduced in the House (Jul 23, 2025).

25 U.S.C. 2803 Law enforcement authority

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 3 Oversight, coordination, and accountability
What the words would change: every change, in place (1)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 25 U.S.C. 2803added 4Aby H.R. 4712 Sec. 2

    4A. Tribal law enforcement officers.—(a) In general.— Notwithstanding any other provision of Federal law, law enforcement officers of an Indian tribe that have contracted or compacted any or all Federal law enforcement functions through a contract or compact entered into pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.) (referred to in this section as Tribal officers) shall have the authority to enforce Federal law within the area under the jurisdiction of the Indian tribe if—(1) the applicable Tribal officers have—(A) completed training that is comparable to that of an employee of the Office of Justice Services of the Bureau who is providing the same services in Indian country, as determined by the Deputy Bureau Director of the Office of Justice Services of the Bureau (or a designee);(B) passed an adjudicated background investigation equivalent to that of an employee of the Office of Justice Services of the Bureau who is providing the same services in Indian country; and(C) received a certification from the Office of Justice Services of the Bureau, as described in subsection (c); and(2) the Indian tribe has adopted policies and procedures that meet or exceed those of the Office of Justice Services of the Bureau for the same program, service, function, or activity.(b) Deemed To be Federal law enforcement officers.— Subject to the guidance issued by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (c)(1)(B) and notwithstanding any other provision of law, while acting under the authority granted by the Secretary through a contract or compact entered into pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.), a Tribal officer shall be deemed to be—(1) a Federal law enforcement officer for the purposes of—(A) sections 111 and 1114 of title 18, United States Code;(B) chapters 83 and 84 of title 5, United States Code; and(C) chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code (commonly known as the "Federal Tort Claims Act"); and(2) an eligible officer under subchapter III of chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code.(c) Certification.—(1) In general.— Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act, the Secretary shall—(A) notwithstanding section 5, develop procedures for the credentialing of Tribal officers under this section to provide confirmation that Tribal officers meet minimum certification standards and training requirements for Indian country peace officers, as prescribed by the Secretary; and(B) notwithstanding any other provision of law, issue guidance, in consultation with Indian tribes, to otherwise implement this section, ensuring that, in implementing subsection (b)(1)(B), the guidance—(i) provides for the voluntary participation by Tribal officers, on a position-by-position basis;(ii) allows Tribal officers to purchase service credit for prior years of service consistent with the guidance issued by the Secretary under this subparagraph;(iii) allows for the participation of Tribal officers, the salaries of which are funded in whole or in part by grants from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services of the Department of Justice or any other agency in the Department of Justice; and(iv) recognizes that Tribal officers may participate if the Indian tribes of those Tribal officers have a mandatory retirement age that exceeds the applicable Federal mandatory retirement age for Federal law enforcement officers.(2) IPA Bridge Program.— Tribal officers who choose to attend a State or other equivalent training program approved by the Deputy Bureau Director of the Office of Justice Services of the Bureau (or a designee) rather than attend the Indian Police Academy shall be required to attend the Bridge Program of the Indian Police Academy, or an equivalent program, prior to receiving a certification under this subsection.

    The bill says: The Indian Law Enforcement Reform Act is amended by inserting after section 4 (25 U.S.C. 2803) the following:

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

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Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

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  1. Jul 23, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show all 4 recorded actions

Cosponsors

  • Michael Baumgartner R-WA-5
  • Jack Bergman R-MI-1
  • Tom Cole R-OK-4
  • Angie Craig D-MN-2
  • Sharice Davids D-KS-3
  • Suzan K. DelBene D-WA-1
  • Jake Ellzey R-TX-6
  • Julie Fedorchak R-ND-At Large
  • Marie Gluesenkamp Perez D-WA-3
  • Jeff Hurd R-CO-3
  • David P. Joyce R-OH-14
  • Rick Larsen D-WA-2
Show 10 more cosponsors
  • Teresa Leger Fernandez D-NM-3
  • John R. Moolenaar R-MI-2
  • Mike Quigley D-IL-5
  • Emily Randall D-WA-6
  • Michael K. Simpson R-ID-2
  • Marilyn Strickland D-WA-10
  • Gabe Vasquez D-NM-2
  • Eugene Simon Vindman D-VA-7
  • Tim Walberg R-MI-5
  • Ryan K. Zinke R-MT-1