Legis Daily

ARTIST Act

USA119th CongressS-254| Senate 
| Updated: 10/10/2025
Dan Sullivan

Dan Sullivan

Republican Senator

Alaska

Cosponsors (1)
Lisa Murkowski (Republican)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The bill amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act to exempt Alaska Natives from restrictions on taking marine mammals for subsistence and for creating and selling authentic Alaska Native articles of handicrafts and clothing . Marine mammal ivory is defined as a tooth or tusk from walrus, narwhal, or whale, and the exemption applies only when the taking is not wasteful. The amendment allows such items to be sold in interstate commerce only if they meet the definition of an authentic article, and edible portions may be sold locally in native villages or for native consumption. The bill also requires that any state cannot prohibit the importation, sale, or possession of ivory or bone incorporated into these authentic articles. The Secretary may issue regulations if a species or stock is determined to be depleted, and such regulations must be based on substantial evidence and include notice and hearing. Regulations can cover species, stocks, geographic areas, seasons, or other relevant factors, and they are removed when the need disappears. The bill preserves the cultural practices and livelihoods of Alaska Native producers while ensuring that marine mammal populations are managed responsibly.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
3 versions available

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-5253
ARTIST Act
Jan 24, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jan 24, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jun 25, 2025
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Oct 6, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-5694
Introduced in House
Oct 6, 2025
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-73.
Oct 6, 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 178.
Oct 8, 2025
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7007-7009; text: CR S7008)
Oct 8, 2025
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Oct 8, 2025
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Oct 8, 2025
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Oct 10, 2025
Received in the House.
Oct 10, 2025
Held at the desk.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-5253
    ARTIST Act


  • January 24, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 24, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • June 25, 2025
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • October 6, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-5694
    Introduced in House


  • October 6, 2025
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-73.


  • October 6, 2025
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 178.


  • October 8, 2025
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7007-7009; text: CR S7008)


  • October 8, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • October 8, 2025
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • October 8, 2025
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • October 10, 2025
    Received in the House.


  • October 10, 2025
    Held at the desk.

Native Americans

Related Bills

  • HR 119-5694: ARTIST Act
AlaskaAlaska Natives and HawaiiansHistorical and cultural resourcesMammalsWildlife conservation and habitat protection

ARTIST Act

USA119th CongressS-254| Senate 
| Updated: 10/10/2025
The bill amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act to exempt Alaska Natives from restrictions on taking marine mammals for subsistence and for creating and selling authentic Alaska Native articles of handicrafts and clothing . Marine mammal ivory is defined as a tooth or tusk from walrus, narwhal, or whale, and the exemption applies only when the taking is not wasteful. The amendment allows such items to be sold in interstate commerce only if they meet the definition of an authentic article, and edible portions may be sold locally in native villages or for native consumption. The bill also requires that any state cannot prohibit the importation, sale, or possession of ivory or bone incorporated into these authentic articles. The Secretary may issue regulations if a species or stock is determined to be depleted, and such regulations must be based on substantial evidence and include notice and hearing. Regulations can cover species, stocks, geographic areas, seasons, or other relevant factors, and they are removed when the need disappears. The bill preserves the cultural practices and livelihoods of Alaska Native producers while ensuring that marine mammal populations are managed responsibly.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
3 versions available

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-5253
ARTIST Act
Jan 24, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jan 24, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jun 25, 2025
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Oct 6, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-5694
Introduced in House
Oct 6, 2025
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-73.
Oct 6, 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 178.
Oct 8, 2025
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7007-7009; text: CR S7008)
Oct 8, 2025
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Oct 8, 2025
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Oct 8, 2025
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Oct 10, 2025
Received in the House.
Oct 10, 2025
Held at the desk.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-5253
    ARTIST Act


  • January 24, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 24, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • June 25, 2025
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • October 6, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-5694
    Introduced in House


  • October 6, 2025
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-73.


  • October 6, 2025
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 178.


  • October 8, 2025
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7007-7009; text: CR S7008)


  • October 8, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • October 8, 2025
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • October 8, 2025
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • October 10, 2025
    Received in the House.


  • October 10, 2025
    Held at the desk.
Dan Sullivan

Dan Sullivan

Republican Senator

Alaska

Cosponsors (1)
Lisa Murkowski (Republican)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Native Americans

Related Bills

  • HR 119-5694: ARTIST Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
AlaskaAlaska Natives and HawaiiansHistorical and cultural resourcesMammalsWildlife conservation and habitat protection