Native American Seeds Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35]
Introduced
Summary
Protecting Native American seeds is the bill's main goal. This bill would create a federal framework for the Secretary of the Interior to work with Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations to identify culturally important seeds and support tribal seed banks while keeping sensitive information private.
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- Indian Tribes would be able to identify which seeds are culturally significant and to designate information they provide as culturally sensitive or proprietary so the Secretary may not disclose it.
- Tribal organizations and community seed banks could receive federal support for preserving seeds and traditional agriculture systems, but any help would depend on Congress providing funds because the bill authorizes no additional money.
- Disputes over the law would be handled with judicial deference to the Secretary, meaning courts would give weight to the Secretary's reasonable interpretations of ambiguous provisions.
*Would not authorize additional funds and would depend on future appropriations for implementation.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Support for Tribal seed protection
If enacted, the Interior Department would work with Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations to identify Native American seeds. The work would start within one year of enactment. The Department would help protect those seeds, tribal seed banks, and traditional tribal farming systems. The Secretary would not disclose information an Indian Tribe identifies as culturally sensitive, proprietary, or confidential. Courts would be told to defer to the Secretary's reasonable interpretation of the Act. No new funds are authorized; activities would depend on appropriations made in advance.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35]
CA • D
Cosponsors
LaMalfa
CA • R
Sponsored 12/3/2025
Simpson
ID • R
Sponsored 4/28/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov