PRIA Logo™
119-hr-5694119th Congress

ARTIST Act

Sponsored By: Representative Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large]

In Committee

Summary

Creates an Alaska Native exemption that would let coastal Alaska Native artisans use and sell marine mammal ivory and bone in authentic handicrafts while keeping conservation checks in place.

Show full summary
  • Alaska Native artisans and coastal communities would be able to take marine mammals for subsistence or to make and sell "authentic Alaska Native" handicrafts and clothing, subject to rules that bar mass production and require natural materials and traditional techniques.
  • Buyers and retailers across state lines would be protected to buy, sell, or possess Alaska Native pieces that meet the authenticity rules, because the bill would block states from banning interstate commerce of covered ivory or bone in qualifying items.
  • The Secretary of the Interior would face procedural and evidence requirements before restricting takes or declaring a species depleted. Any regulations would need notice and hearing, written findings supported by substantial evidence that consider Indigenous knowledge, and removal once the restriction is no longer needed.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New rules for Alaska Native ivory

This bill would let Alaska Natives who live on Alaska's North Pacific or Arctic coast take marine mammals for subsistence or to make and sell authentic Alaska Native handicrafts, if the taking is not wasteful. It would define "authentic" items as mostly natural materials made by a qualifying Alaska Native without mass-copying devices. States would be barred from blocking interstate trade, sale, transfer, or possession of qualifying items. Any edible parts taken to make these items could be sold only for native consumption or inside a native village or town in Alaska. The Secretary would be able to limit takings for depleted species after notice and hearing and must publish written, evidence-based findings, including consideration of Indigenous knowledge.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large]

AK • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation