Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act
Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act
Plain Language Summary
# Summary of S 255: Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act **What the Bill Would Do:** This bill would allow Alaska Natives to legally possess, sell, and trade traditional handicrafts, clothing, and artwork that contain parts from migratory birds—such as feathers or bones—without violating federal bird protection laws. Currently, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 generally prohibits handling these bird parts. The bill would create an exception for authentic Alaska Native cultural items, as long as the birds weren't killed illegally or wastefully. **Who It Affects and Key Provisions:** The bill primarily affects Alaska Native artisans and their communities, who have long used bird feathers and other parts in traditional crafts that are important to their cultural heritage and economy. The bill requires the U.S.
State Department and Department of the Interior to work with Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Russia—countries that signed the original bird protection treaties—to formalize this exception internationally. This ensures the practice complies with international agreements. **Current Status:** The bill (S 255) is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full Senate. It was introduced in the 119th Congress by Senator Dan Sullivan, a Republican from Alaska.
CRS Official Summary
Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment ActThis bill states that nothing in the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (MBTA) prohibits possessing, selling, bartering, purchasing, shipping, or transporting any authentic Alaska Native handicraft, clothing, or art on the basis that it contains a nonedible migratory bird part, so long as the bird was not taken in a wasteful or illegal manner. (The MBTA implements four international treaties that the United States entered into with Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Russia. The MBTA prohibits the taking of protected migratory bird species without prior authorization.)The bill directs the Department of State to work with the Department of the Interior to enter into appropriate bilateral procedures with countries that are parties to the treaties under the MBTA to clarify the treatment of Alaska Native handicraft containing nonedible migratory bird parts from the species of migratory birds listed in those treaties. Further, Interior must modify any regulations implementing the MBTA to implement this bill.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.