# 119-s-255: Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act

119-s-255, Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK] (R-AK); status introduced (as of 2026-09-10).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-255
- As of: 2026-09-10
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-255
- Congress: 119
- Title: Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-01-24
- Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK] (R-AK)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Policy area: Native Americans
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-09-10

## Summary

**Creates an exception so authentic Alaska Native handicrafts that include nonedible migratory bird parts can be legally possessed and traded.** It defines who counts as an Alaska Native artisan and what qualifies as an authentic handicraft. - Alaska Native artisans and communities: Would be able to possess, offer for sale, sell, barter, ship, and transport authentic handicrafts that contain nonedible migratory bird parts when the item meets material and craft criteria and is made by a verified Alaska Native. - Buyers, sellers, and markets: Would be allowed to buy and move those authentic items so long as the migratory bird parts were not taken in a wasteful or illegal manner. - Federal agencies and treaty partners: The Departments of State and Interior must set bilateral procedures with treaty countries and update MBTA regulations within 180 days to implement the change.

## Cosponsors (1)

- Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK] (R-AK), 2025-01-24T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Alaska Native artisans can sell crafts: benefit, low. If enacted, the bill would allow possession, sale, barter, purchase, shipment, and transport of authentic Alaska Native articles of handicraft that contain nonedible migratory bird parts. The item must be mostly natural materials found, foraged, or gifted and made or decorated in significant part b…
- Federal treaty and regulation updates: benefit, low. If enacted, the bill would require the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Interior to act within 180 days. They must establish bilateral procedures with treaty countries as needed and modify MBTA regulations to reflect the new treatment of authentic Alaska Native handicrafts with nonedible…

## Related bills

- 119-s-524: Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025
- 119-s-3923: Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026
- 119-s-1541: SHIPS for America Act of 2025
- 119-s-306: Fire Ready Nation Act of 2025
- 119-s-688: Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025
- 119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act

## Sources
- [119-s-255 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/255)

## Related
- [119-s-524: Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-524)
- [119-s-3923: Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3923)
- [119-s-1541: SHIPS for America Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1541)
- [119-s-306: Fire Ready Nation Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-306)
- [119-s-688: Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-688)
- [119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1748)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-255 (as of 2026-09-10).