ARTIST Act
Sponsored By: Representative Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large]
In Committee
Summary
Protects Alaska Native use and sale of marine mammal ivory in traditional handicrafts. The bill amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act to allow Alaska Native makers to take, make, and sell authentic handicrafts containing walrus, narwhal, or whale ivory under defined rules and limits.
Show full summary
- Alaska Native artisans and communities can create and sell "authentic Alaska Native articles of handicrafts and clothing" made largely from natural materials and traditional techniques. Items may move in interstate commerce if they meet the bill's definition.
- Hunters taking marine mammals for subsistence or to produce handicrafts may use ivory and related parts, and edible portions may be sold within native villages or for native consumption.
- States may not ban the import, sale, transfer, possession, or trade of marine mammal ivory, bone, or baleen when incorporated into compliant authentic Alaska Native handicrafts.
- The Secretary may restrict takes for any depleted species or stock and must base regulations on substantial evidence, including Indigenous knowledge when Alaska Native organizations challenge actions.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New rules for Alaska Native handicrafts
If enacted, this bill would let certain Alaska Native people take marine mammals for subsistence. It would also let them take marine mammals to make and sell traditional Alaska Native handicrafts. Eligible people would be Indians, Aleuts, or Eskimos who live in Alaska on the North Pacific or Arctic coast. An "authentic" item would have to be mostly natural materials and made by traditional methods without mass-copying machines. Marine mammal ivory would include walrus, narwhal, and whale teeth or tusks. Interstate sales would be allowed only if items meet the law's definition. Edible parts could be sold in a native village or for native consumption. States would not be allowed to ban trade in authentic native ivory, bone, or baleen items. The Secretary could make rules, limit taking if a species is depleted, and must follow notice-and-hearing rules. If Alaska Native organizations sue, the Secretary would have to publish written evidence and consider 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.
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