Sen. Alexander files bill in North Carolina Senate to extend rights to Catawba Indian Nation

A new bill filed by State Sen. Alexander seeks to extend legal recognitions and jurisdictional authority to the Catawba Indian Nation similar to those granted to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 655 on March 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Extend Certain Rights to Catawba Nation.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill extends certain rights and recognitions given to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to the Catawba Indian Nation. It mandates that judgments, decrees, and orders from Catawba Nation Tribal Courts receive full faith and credit from the state, similar to other states’ courts. The bill acknowledges Catawba law enforcement officers and establishes their jurisdiction within Catawba trust lands, while prohibiting jurisdictional overlap between Cherokee and Catawba officers without specific agreements. The Catawba Nation is also authorized to establish its own probation and parole agency with similar powers and territorial jurisdiction to Cherokee law enforcement officers. Furthermore, the Catawba Nation becomes eligible for state programs and funding allocations previously directed to other counties, while taxes and certain statutory provisions applicable to tribal lands are extended to them. Effective July 1, 2025, the Catawba Indian Nation is also recognized for issuing special vehicle registration plates to its members.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Danny Earl Britt, Jr. proposed the most bills (36) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Alexander graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a BA.

Alexander, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2019 to represent the state’s 44th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Vickie Sawyer.