Bill Overview
Title: Kansas Indian Country Law Enforcement Improvement Act of 2022
Description: This bill revises Kansas's criminal jurisdiction over offenses committed on the reservation of a covered Indian tribe. Covered Indian tribe means the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, the Kickapoo Tribe of Indians of the Kickapoo Reservation in Kansas, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, and the Sac & Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska. Specifically, the bill requires affirmative consent from the governing body of a covered tribe for Kansas to have criminal jurisdiction over offenses committed on the tribe's reservation. The bill authorizes federal agencies and state and local governments in Kansas to enter into cooperative agreements or compacts with the governing bodies of covered Indian tribes for specified purposes, such as reducing crime in Indian country and nearby communities. Each cooperative agreement or compact entered into under the bill must (1) authorize law enforcement officers to be deputized, (2) include requirements for reporting crimes, and (3) describe the geographic limits within the reservation and categories of criminal offenses over which Kansas may exercise its jurisdiction. The Department of Justice must, upon request from the governing body of a covered Indian tribe, provide technical assistance in developing cooperative agreements or compacts.
Sponsors: Rep. LaTurner, Jake [R-KS-2]
Target Audience
Population: Members of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, Kickapoo Tribe of Indians of the Kickapoo Reservation in Kansas, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, and Sac & Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska
Estimated Size: 3500
- The primary population affected is the members of the four identified tribes: the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, the Kickapoo Tribe of Indians of the Kickapoo Reservation in Kansas, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, and the Sac & Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska.
- These tribes reside in specific reservations located in Kansas (for the most part) and parts of Nebraska.
- Brookings Institution estimates there are over 77,000 Native Americans living in Kansas, but this includes all tribes.
- Since this legislation is specific to four tribes, a narrower population is impacted.
- For global context, the populations of these indigenous groups might also be found elsewhere (for instance, being federally recognized implies they might have members in other states); nevertheless, the immediate legal impact is on those residing in the covered Kansas and Nebraska areas.
Reasoning
- This policy primarily impacts the members of four specific tribes in Kansas and Nebraska. These tribes have clear legal boundaries and this bill affects legal jurisdiction, which is critical to the well-being of these communities.
- The primary budget consideration will be related to the costs of implementing and maintaining cooperative agreements and compacts as well as possible law enforcement training and deputization. Efficiency in these processes is key to optimizing the budget.
- Considering a population of around 3,500 for the primary effect, the budget per capita is approximately $286 per person over 10 years, which implies careful prioritization of impactful measures.
- The interviews include a mix of tribal members and people from nearby communities to capture spillover effects.
- The policy can improve trust and order on reservations by emphasizing tribal sovereignty and cooperation, directly influencing the Cantril wellbeing scores of those within the affected jurisdictions.
Simulated Interviews
Tribal council member (Iowa Tribe Reservation, Kansas)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is a necessary shift towards acknowledging our sovereignty and improving safety for community members.
- Having a say in law enforcement practices will ensure that culturally sensitive methods are employed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Police officer (Kickapoo Reservation, Kansas)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy helps in jurisdictional clarity which has been a major issue hindering effective law enforcement on reservations.
- Cooperation agreements could enhance response times to incidents.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Social Worker (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Kansas)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Empowering tribal leadership over law enforcement is critical to addressing specific issues facing our youth and preventing crime.
- Better trained officers can engage more positively with troubled youth.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Elder of the community (Sac & Fox Nation, Kansas)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act supports the longstanding push for autonomy and respect for our traditions in law enforcement.
- Federal and state collaborations should prioritize understanding our cultural context.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
State law enforcement official (Topeka, Kansas)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Coordinated efforts and clear agreements with tribal communities can streamline crime-fighting efforts.
- There's potential for significant impact, but it will require commitment from all sides.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
College student (Iowa Tribe Reservation, Kansas)
Age: 26 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy can provide learning opportunities for students pursuing careers in tribal law enforcement.
- Focusing on cooperation can enhance educational programs related to justice.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Health care provider (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Kansas)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improved law enforcement could lead to better health outcomes by reducing crime-related stress and improving access to services.
- This is a positive step towards safer environments, allowing healthcare services to operate more effectively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Local business owner (Nearby town, Kansas)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Cross-jurisdictional agreements might enhance community safety and potentially benefit local businesses through improved environments.
- Successful implementation may promote more customers feeling safe to visit different areas.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Legal advocate (Kickapoo Reservation, Kansas)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act reinforces tribal authority, which can lead to stronger assertions of rights over time.
- Empowering tribes in legal matters translates to empowerment in other areas, culturally and socially.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Cultural preservationist (Sac & Fox Nation, Kansas)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy represents a step forward in self-governance, which is critical for the preservation of our culture and heritage.
- Law enforcement that understands our cultural nuances can address issues more effectively and respectfully.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1000000 (Low: $800000, High: $1500000)
Year 2: $1000000 (Low: $800000, High: $1500000)
Year 3: $1050000 (Low: $840000, High: $1575000)
Year 5: $1100000 (Low: $880000, High: $1650000)
Year 10: $1200000 (Low: $960000, High: $1800000)
Year 100: $2000000 (Low: $1600000, High: $3000000)
Key Considerations
- Concerns about adequate funding and resource allocation across state, federal, and tribal law enforcement agencies could affect implementation.
- Tribal sovereignty implications may impact relationships between state and federal entities.
- Potential operational challenges in establishing a uniform operational framework for agreements across differing tribal jurisdictions.