H.R. 5694 Reported by committee Native Americans

ARTIST Act

To amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to protect the cultural practices and livelihoods of producers of Alaska Native handicrafts and marine mammal ivory products, and for other purposes.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large] Introduced October 6, 2025 Cosponsors 0 Latest action June 2, 2026

Summary

Alaska’s Right To Ivory Sales and Tradition Act or the ARTIST Act
This bill prohibits states from imposing bans on marine mammal products produced by Alaska Natives.
Specifically, states may not prohibit the importation, sale, transfer, trade, barter, or possession of marine mammal ivory, marine mammal bone, or baleen legally produced by an Alaska Native as an authentic Alaska Native article of handicrafts and clothing.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Actions

  1. Jun 2, 2026 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 588.
  2. Jun 2, 2026 Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-674.
  3. May 14, 2026 Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
  4. May 14, 2026 Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  5. May 14, 2026 Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
  6. Mar 26, 2026 Subcommittee Hearings Held
  7. Mar 19, 2026 Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
  8. Oct 6, 2025 Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
  9. Oct 6, 2025 Introduced in House

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