ARTIST Act
Sponsored By: Senator Dan Sullivan
Passed Senate
Summary
Protects Alaska Native subsistence and the sale of marine mammal handicrafts and ivory. This bill would carve out a specific exemption from the Marine Mammal Protection Act so Alaska Natives living on the North Pacific and Arctic coasts can continue traditional take and commerce tied to cultural handicrafts under defined rules.
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- Alaska Native families and artisans: It lets Alaska Natives make, label, sell, and ship "authentic Alaska Native" handicrafts that include walrus or cetacean ivory, so long as items are handcrafted in traditional ways and not mass produced.
- Villages and local markets: Edible portions of animals taken to support handicraft production may be sold for native consumption or within Alaska villages and towns.
- Federal regulators and conservation: The Secretary may adopt time‑limited regulations if a species or stock is found depleted. Rules must be based on substantial evidence, include notice and hearing, and can incorporate Indigenous knowledge.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Alaska Native ivory crafts and sales
If enacted, Alaska Natives who live on Alaska’s North Pacific or Arctic coasts could take marine mammals for subsistence or to make and sell authentic handicrafts and clothing. The taking would need to be not wasteful. Items sold across state lines would need to meet the bill’s definition: made by a qualifying Alaska Native, from natural materials, using traditional methods, and not mass‑copied. States would not be able to ban interstate sale, import, transfer, or possession of marine mammal ivory, bone, or baleen built into these authentic items. Any edible parts from animals taken for crafts could be sold for native consumption or in a native village or town in Alaska. These changes would still be subject to section 109 and would not change existing Tribal rights or consultation.
Limits if marine mammal stocks drop
If enacted, the Secretary could limit Alaska Native taking of marine mammals when a species or stock is found depleted. Limits could be set by species, area, season, or other relevant factors, after public notice and a hearing. The Secretary would need to remove limits when they are no longer needed. In a case brought by Alaska Native organizations, the Secretary would have to post a written, public explanation showing substantial evidence, including Indigenous knowledge.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Dan Sullivan
AK • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
AK • R
Sponsored 1/24/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov