Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act
Legislative Progress
In CommitteeMr. Begich introduced the following bill; which was referred to …
Summary
What This Bill Does:
This bill clarifies the law so that authentic Alaska Native handicrafts containing non-edible migratory bird parts can be legally possessed and sold. It ensures these items aren't illegal just because they have feathers or other bird parts, as long as those birds weren't taken illegally or wastefully.
Who Benefits and How:
- Alaska Native artisans: They can continue to create and sell their traditional handicrafts containing migratory bird parts without fear of breaking the law.
- Consumers: They can buy these authentic Alaska Native items freely, knowing they're legal and support local artisans.
Who Bears the Burden and How:
- Illegal hunters/collectors: They will still face penalties for taking migratory birds illegally or wastefully to make handicrafts.
- Government agencies: They must update regulations and work with other countries to clarify these handicrafts' treatment under international treaties.
Key Provisions:
- Defines "Alaska Native" and "authentic Alaska Native article of handicraft".
- Allows possession, sale, etc., of authentic Alaska Native articles containing migratory bird parts.
- Prohibits items made from illegally or wastefully taken birds.
- Requires the Secretary of State and Interior to work with other countries and update regulations accordingly.
Evidence Chain:
This summary is derived from the structured analysis below. See "Detailed Analysis" for per-title beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
Primary Purpose
The bill aims to clarify the treatment of authentic Alaska Native handicrafts containing non-edible migratory bird parts under various international treaties, ensuring their legal possession and sale while prohibiting items made from birds taken illegally or wastefully.
Policy Domains
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of the Interior
Key Definitions
Terms defined in this bill
An item composed mainly of natural materials and produced by an Alaska Native using traditional techniques without mass copying devices. Includes weaving, carving, stitching, etc., made in significant part by an Alaska Native.
A member of any Indian Tribe based in Alaska, verified through a Tribal enrollment card, Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB), or permit from the Silver Hand program.
Same as Section 2(a), defining a member of any Indian Tribe based in Alaska with specific verification methods.
Same as Section 3, detailing the composition and production process of such items, including weaving, carving, etc., made by an Alaska Native without mass copying devices.
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology