A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Native American Seeds Act of 2025," aims to assist Indian Tribes in protecting Native American seeds. The Secretary of the Interior is required to work with Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations to identify these seeds within one year of enactment. This work includes supporting seed protection efforts, seed banks, and traditional agriculture systems. The Act includes provisions to keep culturally sensitive or proprietary information confidential. Finally, it establishes rules for judicial review and notes that no additional funds are authorized for these activities.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +7
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill provides direct support for the preservation of traditional seeds and agricultural practices essential to Indian Tribes.
- Scored +7
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The bill mandates that the Secretary must not disclose information identified by a Tribe as culturally sensitive or proprietary.
- Scored +6
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The act supports Indian Tribes in preserving their traditional agricultural systems and cultural heritage through seed protection.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to lead the identification and protection efforts of tribal seeds.
- Scored -2
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill limits judicial review by requiring courts to defer to the Secretary's reasonable interpretation of ambiguous provisions.
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill specifies that no additional funds are authorized for the activities mandated.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Seed Protection: The Secretary shall support efforts of Indian Tribes to protect Native American seeds (Section 3(a)(2)(A)). This provides assistance to protect seeds of traditional or cultural significance.
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Support for Seed Banks: The bill supports Native American seed banks and related facilities (Section 3(a)(2)(B)). This helps preserve these specific seed types.
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Support for Agriculture Systems: The bill supports traditional agriculture systems of Indian Tribes used for nurturing and harvesting Native American seeds (Section 3(a)(2)(C)).
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Information Privacy: The Secretary is prohibited from disclosing information provided by an Indian Tribe that the Tribe identifies as culturally sensitive, proprietary, or confidential (Section 3(b)). This protects the privacy of tribal information.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Funding Limitations: No additional funds are authorized for the requirements of the Act, and activities are subject to the availability of prior appropriations (Section 5). This means the work is dependent on existing money being available.
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Judicial Deference: A court shall defer to the Secretary's reasonable interpretation of any ambiguous provision of this Act (Section 4). This limits the ability of a court to challenge how the Secretary interprets the law.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill provides direct support for the preservation of traditional seeds and agricultural practices essential to Indian Tribes. Would farmers be better off under this? — The bill supports traditional agriculture systems used for the nurturing and harvesting of specific seeds.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill supports the establishment of seed banks to protect the biodiversity of culturally significant seeds. Does this invest in rural communities? — The act invests in the infrastructure of seed banks and traditional agricultural systems for Indian Tribes.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The act supports Indian Tribes in preserving their traditional agricultural systems and cultural heritage through seed protection. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Supporting traditional agriculture systems can bolster food sovereignty for tribal communities.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill mandates that the Secretary must not disclose information identified by a Tribe as culturally sensitive or proprietary. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill limits judicial review by requiring courts to defer to the Secretary's reasonable interpretation of ambiguous provisions. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to lead the identification and protection efforts of tribal seeds.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill specifies that no additional funds are authorized for the activities mandated.
- 4/28/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/13/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
- 12/3/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Doug LaMalfaRepublican · California
Michael SimpsonRepublican · Idaho