Alaska Native artisans have long carved walrus ivory and whale bone into traditional handicrafts, but some state laws have made it difficult to sell these items across state lines. This bill would strengthen protections for Alaska Native cultural practices by clarifying that traditionally made handicrafts and clothing using marine mammal ivory can be sold in interstate commerce. It would also prohibit states from banning the sale of marine mammal ivory that's been incorporated into authentic Alaska Native handicrafts. The bill preserves the Secretary's authority to restrict taking of depleted species.
Congressional Summary
Alaska’s Right To Ivory Sales and Tradition Act or the ARTIST ActThis bill prohibits states from imposing bans on marine mammal products produced by Alaska Natives.Specifically, states may not prohibit the importation, sale, transfer, trade, barter, or possession of marine mammal ivory, marine mammal bone, or baleen legally produced by an Alaska Native as an authentic Alaska Native article of handicrafts and clothing.
Legislative Subjects
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in House
- Action Date
- 2025-10-06
- Date Added
- 2026-04-09