Tribal police power bill delayed

BOISE (AP) - Idaho lawmakers are delaying a vote on a bill that would give Indian tribal police the authority to arrest non-tribal members on the reservation without permission from the local sheriff.

The House Judiciary Committee postponed its vote on the measure to give the Coeur d'Alene Tribe and the Benewah County Sheriff more time to resolve their dispute. that has worsened since a cross-deputization pact fell apart three years ago.

Idaho Falls Republican Rep. Janice McGeachin says it shouldn't be the state's role to fix what she called a local dispute.

The tribe is pushing the bill, arguing that tribal police need arrest powers because county deputies don't respond to calls for help with non-tribal members on the reservation.

Benewah County Sheriff Bob Kirts has questioned the legality of the bill.