Indian Reservation Special Magistrate and Law Enforcement Act of 1980
Latest action. Referred to Senate select committeeA committee created for a specific purpose or period, usually to investigate something, rather than to hold permanent jurisdiction over a subject.Read the full definition (opens a new tab) on Indian Affairs.
Indian Reservation Special Magistrate and Law Enforcement Act of 1980 - Directs the President to appoint special magistrates as necessary to serve each Indian reservation over which the United States exercises criminal jurisdiction under existing law. Provides that preferential consideration be given U.S. magistrates who are already available. Applies generally to such special magistrates the jurisdiction and powers provided magistrates under existing law. Permits any defendant appearing before a special magistrate to be assisted by a lay spokesman of his or her choice. Requires that the special magistrate, in consultation with tribal authorities and county and municipal officials, develop a list of persons residing within the reservation for purposes of jury selection. Authorizes tribal police officers, Bureau of Indian Affairs police officers, and Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers to execute any arrest or search warrants or other orders which the special magistrate is authorized to issue in criminal cases. Authorizes necessary appropriations beginning in fiscal year 1982 to carry out this Act.
Written by analysts at the Congressional Research Service and published on Congress.gov, not by Civibrief. Summarized at the "Introduced in Senate" stage on June 16, 1980. It describes the bill, it is not the legal text.
Where is it in the process, and what happens next?
4 steps remain before this bill could become law.
The record's latest action, on June 16, 1980: Referred to Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs.
- Clearing the committees it was referred to, and being scheduled for a floor vote
- Passage by the Senate
- Passage by the House
- The President's signature. If the President vetoes it, two-thirds of both chambers must vote to override.
How likely is it to become law?
Civibrief does not forecast outcomes and this page has no opinion about this one. What the record supports is a base rate, which is a fact about the whole pile, not a prediction about this measure.
In the 96th Congress (1979-80), 613 of the 12,581 bills and joint resolutions introduced became law, about 4.9 percent. That count covers every measure at every stage, including the many that never left committee.
This one is not there yet: 4 steps are still outstanding, listed above.
Has anyone actually voted on it?
No. No roll call in this Congress cites this measure. That is the ordinary outcome: most measures never reach a recorded floor vote, and a committee ends most of them simply by not acting.
A vote is not the only thing that happens to a measure. Hearings, markups, and referrals are all recorded actions, and none of them is a vote of the full chamber.
Who is behind it?
JOHN MELCHER (D-MT) introduced it on June 16, 1980. No cosponsors are recorded.
Cosponsoring is a formal signature on the text. It is not a commitment to vote for the measure, it does not bind anyone's party, and a long list of cosponsors is a measure of attention rather than of prospects.
How long has it been in play?
It was introduced on June 16, 1980, 16887 days ago. The most recent recorded action was 16887 days ago, on June 16, 1980.
Measures do not carry over. Anything the 96th Congress has not finished by January 3, 1981 dies when the term ends, and has to be introduced again from the start in the next Congress.
Every answer above is assembled from this measure's own record on Congress.gov and from published counts of what Congress has passed before. Civibrief does not predict outcomes and takes no position on any measure.
Vote history
- SenateIn committee, no floor vote yet
- HouseAwaits Senate passage
- PresidentAwaits both chambers