As questions mount, prospects dim for federal bill on Oklahoma reservations

Prospects have dimmed for federal legislation this year to clarify Oklahoma’s criminal and civil jurisdiction in the wake of a momentous U.S. Supreme Court decision that could soon mean nearly half the state is Indian reservation land.

Sen. Jim Inhofe, the most senior member of the state’s congressional delegation, said last week that it would be “very difficult” to get a bill passed this year addressing the myriad issues — including taxation and regulation — raised by the court’s ruling that the Muscogee (Creek) Nation reservation was never terminated.

Inhofe said many interested parties were “anxious to get something done” but that there was no agreement on a way forward among the major tribes that are expected to have their reservations restored because of the July 9 decision.

https://oklahoman.com/article/5669230/as-questions-mount-prospects-dim-for-federal-bill-on-oklahoma-reservations