Lake County officials have long said taxpayers can no longer afford the $4 million price tag of providing law enforcement on tribal lands. Under a deal known as Public Law 280, the county is responsible for jailing and prosecuting tribal members accused of felony crimes.
The county sued the state, arguing that because the state is also part of the deal with the federal government, it bears some fiscal responsibility.
A lower court ruled that it’s up to state lawmakers whether they want to fund the county’s law enforcement on tribal lands. State lawmakers did pass funding, but Gov. Greg Gianforte vetoed the legislation.
The Supreme Court agreed with the lower court, and said the county can also opt out of providing law enforcement for tribal members altogether.
The county did try to do that, but Gianforte refused to sign off, claiming it didn’t file the proper paperwork.
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A long-standing argument over funding for law enforcement on the Flathead Reservation is over, for now. Gov. Greg Gianforte has signed off on funding to help Lake County and tribal officials transition to a long-term plan. -
Amid a long battle over who pays for law enforcement on the Flathead Reservation, a new bill proposes temporary state funding so local officials can hash out a long-term plan. -
Montana’s share of the $26 billion national opioid settlement with Johnson & Johnson and its distributors is starting to flow to communities. The first two grants approved will serve Lake County. -
Lake County commissioners may reconsider whether to pull out of an agreement to provide law enforcement services on the Flathead Reservation. -
Federal officials said they don’t have many resources to offer if they take over law enforcement on the Flathead Reservation. Those comments come as Lake County plans stop providing those services on the reservation.
