# RCW 37.12.120: RCW 37.12.120: Quileute, Chehalis, Swinomish, Skokomish, Muckleshoot, Tulalip, and Colville Indian reservations—Retrocession of criminal jurisdiction—Proclamation by governor

> Washington · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S120

## Section

- **Citation:** RCW 37.12.120
- **Heading:** RCW 37.12.120: Quileute, Chehalis, Swinomish, Skokomish, Muckleshoot, Tulalip, and Colville Indian reservations—Retrocession of criminal jurisdiction—Proclamation by governor
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 120

## Text

Whenever the governor receives from the confederated tribes of the Colville reservation or the Quileute, Chehalis, Swinomish, Skokomish, Muckleshoot, or Tulalip tribe a resolution expressing their desire for the retrocession by the state of all or any measure of the criminal jurisdiction acquired by the state pursuant to RCW 37.12.021 over lands of that tribe's reservation, the governor may, within ninety days, issue a proclamation retroceding to the United States the criminal jurisdiction previously acquired by the state over such reservation. However, the state of Washington shall retain jurisdiction as provided in RCW 37.12.010 . The proclamation of retrocession shall not become effective until it is accepted by an officer of the United States government in accordance with 25 U.S.C. Sec. 1323 (82 Stat. 78, 79) and in accordance with procedures established by the United States for acceptance of such retrocession of jurisdiction. The Colville tribes and the Quileute, Chehalis, Swinomish, Skokomish, Muckleshoot, and Tulalip tribes shall not exercise criminal or civil jurisdiction over non-Indians.

## Nearby sections

- [RCW 37.12.010 RCW 37.12.010: Assumption of criminal and civil jurisdiction by state.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S010.md)
- [RCW 37.12.021 RCW 37.12.021: Assumption of criminal and civil jurisdiction by state—Resolution of request—Proclamation by governor, 1963 act.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S021.md)
- [RCW 37.12.030 RCW 37.12.030: Effective date for assumption of jurisdiction—Criminal causes.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S030.md)
- [RCW 37.12.040 RCW 37.12.040: Effective date for assumption of jurisdiction—Civil causes.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S040.md)
- [RCW 37.12.050 RCW 37.12.050: State's jurisdiction limited by federal law.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S050.md)
- [RCW 37.12.060 RCW 37.12.060: Chapter limited in application.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S060.md)
- [RCW 37.12.070 RCW 37.12.070: Tribal ordinances, customs, not inconsistent with law applicable in civil causes.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S070.md)
- [RCW 37.12.100 RCW 37.12.100: Quileute, Chehalis, Swinomish, Skokomish, Muckleshoot, Tulalip, and Colville Indian reservations—Retrocession of criminal jurisdiction—Intent.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S100.md)
- [RCW 37.12.110 RCW 37.12.110: Quileute, Chehalis, Swinomish, Skokomish, Muckleshoot, Tulalip, and Colville Indian reservations—Retrocession of criminal jurisdiction—Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S110.md)
- [RCW 37.12.120 RCW 37.12.120: Quileute, Chehalis, Swinomish, Skokomish, Muckleshoot, Tulalip, and Colville Indian reservations—Retrocession of criminal jurisdiction—Proclamation by governor.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S120.md)
- [RCW 37.12.130 RCW 37.12.130: Quileute, Chehalis, Swinomish, and Colville Indian reservations—Retrocession of criminal jurisdiction—Savings.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S130.md)
- [RCW 37.12.140 RCW 37.12.140: Quileute, Chehalis, Swinomish, and Colville Indian reservations—Retrocession of criminal jurisdiction—Short title.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S140.md)
- [RCW 37.12.150 RCW 37.12.150: Retrocession of federal jurisdiction over lands excluded from Olympic National Park.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S150.md)
- [RCW 37.12.160 RCW 37.12.160: Retrocession of civil and/or criminal jurisdiction—Process.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S160.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S120. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.