Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Clarification Act

This legislation amends the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) to clarify the treatment of authentic Alaska Native articles of handicraft that incorporate nonedible migratory bird parts. Its primary purpose is to ensure that the possession, sale, barter, or transport of these cultural items is explicitly permitted under the MBTA and associated international conventions. This allowance is conditional, however, as it does not apply to handicrafts containing parts from migratory birds taken in a wasteful or illegal manner. The bill provides specific definitions for "Alaska Native" and "authentic Alaska Native article of handicraft," emphasizing items composed of natural materials and produced by an Alaska Native using traditional methods without mass copying. To implement these changes, the Secretary of State is directed to engage with treaty countries, and the Secretary of the Interior must modify existing regulations within 180 days of enactment. These administrative steps aim to align both international agreements and domestic law with the bill's provisions.