Gillibrand Introduces Legislation To Streamline Law Enforcement And Protect Public Safety On Seneca Nation Land

Gillibrand Introduces Legislation To Streamline Law Enforcement And Protect Public Safety On Seneca Nation Land

Sep 24, 2026

Legislation Would Address A 1948 Federal Law That Granted New York State Criminal Jurisdiction Over Seneca Nation Territory, Fix Termination-Era Law Enforcement Model

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand introduced the Seneca Nation Law Enforcement Efficiency Act. The bill would establish a legal mechanism to end a 1948 federal law that granted New York State criminal jurisdiction over Seneca Nation territory, helping to resolve overlapping responsibilities between federal, state, and Tribal authorities. In order to eliminate legal confusion and strengthen public safety, the Seneca Nation Law Enforcement Efficiency Act makes clear that the Seneca Nation and the U.S. attorney general must jointly agree in writing to end New York State's criminal jurisdiction over Seneca land once the bill has been signed into law. This would give the Seneca Nation a path to more fully pursue their self-determination and self-governance on their Tribal lands.

"The Seneca Nation Law Enforcement Efficiency Act is a crucial first step in fixing a Termination-era law enforcement model that has existed for the last 78 years," said Senator Gillibrand. "The Seneca Nation has suffered as a result, and now is Congress' chance to right historic wrongs and end New York State's automatic jurisdiction over Seneca lands. This bill will enhance public safety and respect Tribal sovereignty."

"The lack of clear and effective law enforcement and criminal jurisdiction on our lands has created an environment where drug dealers, drug traffickers and other criminals have thrived at the expense of the safety of the Seneca people," said Seneca Nation President J. Conrad Seneca. "The current archaic system of New York State jurisdiction puts our people in danger. Restoring the federal government's treaty responsibility to work with the Seneca Nation to provide law enforcement represents a major step forward in protecting our people and our territories. We appreciate Senator Gillibrand's willingness to listen to our concerns and work with us to introduce this important legislation in the Senate. We will not relent in our efforts to make enhanced public safety a reality on Seneca Nation lands."

"This outdated jurisdictional framework has created real-world public safety problems," said Congressman Nick Langworthy. "Our men and women in law enforcement are doing the best they can under challenging circumstances, but when authority is fragmented and accountability is unclear, resourceful criminals exploit the gaps and that's exactly what we've seen happen. This legislation provides a targeted solution that respects tribal sovereignty, preserves federal oversight, and ensures that any change occurs only with mutual agreement. Most importantly, it will make our communities safer, and that is a goal we all share."

More than 8,500 enrolled Seneca citizens live in New York State. For generations, the Seneca people have lived in the Finger Lakes and Genesee Valley regions of New York State and now reside in large portions of Western New York on the Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Oil Spring territories, including the cities of Buffalo and Niagara Falls.

Congressman Nick Langworthy (R-NY) leads similar legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The bill can be read HERE.

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