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Native American Seeds Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-3358| Senate 
| Updated: 12/4/2025
Martin Heinrich

Martin Heinrich

Democratic Senator

New Mexico

Cosponsors (6)
Markwayne Mullin (Republican)Ruben Gallego (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)James E. Risch (Republican)Alan Armstrong (Republican)Mike Crapo (Republican)

Indian Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to collaborate with Indian Tribes to identify and protect Native American seeds , defined as seeds of traditional or cultural significance to a Tribe. Within one year of the Act's enactment, the Secretary must actively support tribal efforts to safeguard these seeds, including the establishment and maintenance of Native American seed banks and related facilities. The legislation also aims to bolster traditional agriculture systems of Indian Tribes that are essential for the nurturing and harvesting of these culturally important seeds. A critical provision of the Act ensures the confidentiality of any information provided by an Indian Tribe to the Secretary for the purposes of this legislation. If a Tribe identifies such information as culturally sensitive, proprietary, or otherwise confidential, the Secretary is explicitly prohibited from disclosing it, thereby protecting tribal intellectual and cultural property. It is important to note that the implementation of these activities is contingent upon the availability of existing appropriations, as the Act does not authorize any additional funds. Moreover, to ensure consistent application, any judicial review of the Act will require courts to defer to the Secretary's reasonable interpretation of any ambiguous provisions.
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Timeline
Dec 4, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Dec 4, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Dec 4, 2025
Jan 13, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-6415
Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
  • December 4, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • December 4, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.


  • December 4, 2025


  • January 13, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-6415
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.

Native Americans

Native American Seeds Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-3358| Senate 
| Updated: 12/4/2025
This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to collaborate with Indian Tribes to identify and protect Native American seeds , defined as seeds of traditional or cultural significance to a Tribe. Within one year of the Act's enactment, the Secretary must actively support tribal efforts to safeguard these seeds, including the establishment and maintenance of Native American seed banks and related facilities. The legislation also aims to bolster traditional agriculture systems of Indian Tribes that are essential for the nurturing and harvesting of these culturally important seeds. A critical provision of the Act ensures the confidentiality of any information provided by an Indian Tribe to the Secretary for the purposes of this legislation. If a Tribe identifies such information as culturally sensitive, proprietary, or otherwise confidential, the Secretary is explicitly prohibited from disclosing it, thereby protecting tribal intellectual and cultural property. It is important to note that the implementation of these activities is contingent upon the availability of existing appropriations, as the Act does not authorize any additional funds. Moreover, to ensure consistent application, any judicial review of the Act will require courts to defer to the Secretary's reasonable interpretation of any ambiguous provisions.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
Dec 4, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Dec 4, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Dec 4, 2025
Jan 13, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-6415
Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
  • December 4, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • December 4, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.


  • December 4, 2025


  • January 13, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-6415
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
Martin Heinrich

Martin Heinrich

Democratic Senator

New Mexico

Cosponsors (6)
Markwayne Mullin (Republican)Ruben Gallego (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)James E. Risch (Republican)Alan Armstrong (Republican)Mike Crapo (Republican)

Indian Affairs Committee

Native Americans

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted