Legis Daily

ARTIST Act

USA119th CongressHR-5694| House 
| Updated: 6/2/2026
Nicholas J. Begich

Nicholas J. Begich

Republican Representative

Alaska

Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee, Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The bill amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act to create an exemption for Alaska Natives, Aleuts, and Eskimos who reside on the North Pacific or Arctic coasts. Authentic Alaska Native articles of handicrafts and clothing are defined as items made largely from natural materials and produced by traditional techniques without mass‑copying devices. The exemption allows taking of marine mammals for subsistence or for creating and selling these authentic handicrafts, provided the taking is not wasteful and the items meet the definition for interstate commerce. The Secretary may issue regulations if a species or stock is deemed depleted, with notice and hearing, and such regulations must be supported by substantial evidence. No state may prohibit the importation, sale, or possession of marine mammal ivory or bone used in authentic Alaska Native handicrafts, and edible portions taken for handicraft production may be sold locally or for native consumption.

Bill Text Versions

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2 versions available

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

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-254
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
  • October 6, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • October 6, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.


  • March 19, 2026
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.


  • March 26, 2026
    Subcommittee Hearings Held


  • May 14, 2026
    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.


  • May 14, 2026
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • May 14, 2026
    Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged


  • June 2, 2026
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 588.


  • June 2, 2026
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-674.


  • June 2, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-254
    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

Native Americans

Related Bills

  • S 119-254: ARTIST Act
AlaskaAlaska Natives and HawaiiansHistorical and cultural resourcesMammalsWildlife conservation and habitat protection

ARTIST Act

USA119th CongressHR-5694| House 
| Updated: 6/2/2026
The bill amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act to create an exemption for Alaska Natives, Aleuts, and Eskimos who reside on the North Pacific or Arctic coasts. Authentic Alaska Native articles of handicrafts and clothing are defined as items made largely from natural materials and produced by traditional techniques without mass‑copying devices. The exemption allows taking of marine mammals for subsistence or for creating and selling these authentic handicrafts, provided the taking is not wasteful and the items meet the definition for interstate commerce. The Secretary may issue regulations if a species or stock is deemed depleted, with notice and hearing, and such regulations must be supported by substantial evidence. No state may prohibit the importation, sale, or possession of marine mammal ivory or bone used in authentic Alaska Native handicrafts, and edible portions taken for handicraft production may be sold locally or for native consumption.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

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

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-254
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
  • October 6, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • October 6, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.


  • March 19, 2026
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.


  • March 26, 2026
    Subcommittee Hearings Held


  • May 14, 2026
    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.


  • May 14, 2026
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • May 14, 2026
    Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged


  • June 2, 2026
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 588.


  • June 2, 2026
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-674.


  • June 2, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-254
    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Nicholas J. Begich

Nicholas J. Begich

Republican Representative

Alaska

Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee, Natural Resources Committee

Native Americans

Related Bills

  • S 119-254: ARTIST Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
AlaskaAlaska Natives and HawaiiansHistorical and cultural resourcesMammalsWildlife conservation and habitat protection