SB 25-009 Colorado Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Recognition of Tribal Court Orders

Summary
Current law does not expressly allow for the state to recognize an arrest warrant issued by a Tribal court of a federally recognized Tribe (Tribal court). The act clarifies that a state court shall give full faith and credit to an arrest warrant issued by a Tribal court. Upon issuance of a Tribal court arrest warrant, a peace officer in the state may apprehend the person identified in the Tribal warrant if the peace officer verifies the validity of the warrant and confirms that the warrant permits extradition. The act outlines the court process for extradition cases arising from a Tribal court arrest warrant. Current law does not expressly allow for the recognition of a Tribal court behavioral health commitment order (commitment order). The act clarifies that a commitment order entered by a Tribal court that concerns a person under the Tribal court's jurisdiction is recognized to the same extent as a commitment order entered by a state court. A health-care provider may communicate with the officers of the Tribal court regarding a patient placed under the health-care provider's care pursuant to a commitment order to the same extent that the health-care provider may communicate with officers of the court pursuant to a commitment order entered by a state court. If a Tribal court issues an order rescinding the Tribal court's original commitment order, the state, county, or municipal law enforcement agencies; state courts; hospitals; behavioral health facilities; health-care providers; and others within the state responsible for providing services to the person subject to the commitment order shall recognize the order rescinding the Tribal court's original commitment order and release the person subject to the commitment order. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 8, 2025 Signed May 5, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 7 comparisons

What changed between versions

Revised (04/11/2025) PA1 (03/18/2025) · 6 edits
MODERATE
This bill was amended to clarify that district courts (not all courts) must handle Tribal court arrest warrant cases, and to add specific procedures for handling these warrants. The changes include requiring the arrested person to be brought before a judge the next day, appointment of court-appointed counsel if eligible, and new rights for the person including the right to counsel, remain silent, contest the extradition request, and waive extradition. A waiver process was added allowing the person to consent to return to Tribal jurisdiction, and a hearing timeline was established if the person contests the request.
Scope change
The bill's scope was narrowed from general courts to specifically district courts for handling Tribal court arrest warrant cases.
REQUIREMENT

Changed from 'courts' to 'district courts' as the specific court authority for handling Tribal court arrest warrant cases.

Added requirement for informing the person of their rights including right to counsel, right to remain silent, right to contest extradition, and right to waive extradition.

Added new waiver process allowing the arrested person to sign a waiver of extradition consenting to return to Tribal jurisdiction.

TIMELINE

Added requirement that the arrested person must be brought before a judge in the nearest district court the next day the court is in session.

Added requirement for holding a hearing within seven days if the person requests to test the legality of the extradition request.

ELIGIBILITY

Added provision for district courts to appoint court-appointed counsel if the person is eligible.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 25, 2025 · House Apr 14, 2025

How they voted

350
Passed
Total votes 35
Mar 25, 2025
D Democratic23
23 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican12
12 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
16
Key actions
5
Committee
2
May 5, 2025
Signed into law
Governor Signed
executive
Apr 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
lower
Apr 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Committee on Judiciary Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Introduced
Introduced In House - Assigned to Judiciary
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee on Judiciary Refer Amended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole
upper
Jan 8, 2025
Introduced
Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Judiciary
upper
4 primary · 37 co-sponsors

Sponsors