The Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah passed Ordinance No. 2026-05 to establish Title III regarding the Tribal Court and Tribal Jurisdiction. The ordinance was passed by the Tribal Council on Nov. 2, 2026, according to a document published Nov. 9, 2026.
The Tribal Council approved the ordinance with a vote of 5 in favor and 0 opposed, 0 abstaining, and 0 absent. The measure was certified by Chairperson Laurel Yellowhorse on Nov. 6, 2026, and by Tribal Council Secretary Latanya Joe on Nov. 9, 2026.
Under the ordinance, the Tribe's Court is granted authority to establish Courts Rules of Procedure. The Tribe's Constitution, specifically Article VI, provides authority to establish a Court with powers including general jurisdiction, personal jurisdiction, appointing judges, and determining judicial qualifications.
The Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah is a federally recognized Indian tribe under Public Law 96-227. The Tribe's status was restored on April 3, 1980, and its Constitution was ratified by the Tribe on June 11, 1991, and approved by the Secretary of the Interior on July 15, 1991. The Constitution was later amended by the Tribe on Aug. 12, 1997, and approved by the Secretary of the Interior on Sept. 30, 1997.
The ordinance explicitly states that the Tribe does not waive, alter, or diminish its sovereign immunity, whether expressed or implied, through this resolution. Additionally, the resolution does not waive or diminish rights, privileges, remedies, or services guaranteed by law.
