A Republican bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Became Public Law No: 119-99.
Became law
Passed both chambers and was signed by the President, or became law without a signature.
Nothing more in Congress: it is law. When it takes effect depends on the dates written into it — some parts start at once, others a year or more later.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed Senate unanimous consent
- Passed House 404–14
- To President
- Became Law
The Senate by unanimous consent (no one objected, so there was no vote): no senator's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
The ARTIST Act aims to amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. This amendment is intended to protect the cultural practices and livelihoods of those who produce Alaska Native handicrafts and marine mammal ivory products. It establishes exemptions for Alaska Natives residing on the North Pacific or Arctic coasts for subsistence or for creating and selling authentic handicrafts. The bill also provides rules for the sale of edible portions of marine mammals and regulates interstate commerce for these items. Additionally, it outlines the Secretary's authority to regulate species deemed depleted and prohibits States from banning certain trade of these materials.
Yes· 3 of 11
- Scored +7
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill specifically protects the cultural practices and economic livelihoods of Alaska Natives.
- Scored +5
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The bill protects the cultural traditions and economic livelihoods of Alaska Native populations.
- Scored +3
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill provides specific economic and cultural protections for rural coastal Alaska residents.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
The bill explicitly prohibits States from banning or restricting the trade of these specific items.
- Scored -2
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill creates exemptions for taking marine mammals, which may impact species protection if not strictly regulated.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to pass The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not. Passed 404 yes · 14 no
06/03/2026 · Roll call 193 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Livelihoods and Cultural Practices: The bill provides an exemption for Alaska Natives living on the coast of the North Pacific or Arctic Ocean to take marine mammals for subsistence or to create and sell authentic handicrafts and clothing (Section 2, Paragraph 2).
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Support for Traditional Artisans: By defining "authentic Alaska Native article of handicrafts and clothing" as items made without mass copying devices, the bill protects the work of traditional makers (Section 2, Paragraph 1).
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Sale of Edible Portions: The bill allows for the sale of the edible portion of a marine mammal taken for handicraft purposes to be sold for native consumption or within a native village or town in Alaska (Section 2, Paragraph 2).
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Protection Against State Prohibitions: The act prohibits States from stopping the interstate commerce, sale, or possession of marine mammal ivory or bone incorporated into authentic Alaska Native articles of handicrafts and clothing by an Alaska Native (Section 2, Paragraph 4).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Regulatory Authority for Depleted Species: If the Secretary determines a species or stock is depleted, they have the authority to prescribe regulations that could impact the taking of those marine mammals by Alaska Natives (Section 2, Paragraph 3).
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Potential Restrictions on Taking: The Secretary may establish regulations regarding specific species, stocks, geographical areas, or seasons of taking if a depletion is determined (Section 2, Paragraph 3).
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 specifically protects the cultural practices and economic livelihoods of Alaska Natives. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill provides specific economic and cultural protections for rural coastal Alaska residents. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill supports traditional artisanal businesses by securing their right to trade.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill protects the cultural traditions and economic livelihoods of Alaska Native populations. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill aids economic stability for Alaska Native artisans through protected trade of traditional items.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill supports small-scale traditional artisans by protecting their ability to sell authentic handicrafts and ivory products.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make it easier to do business across state lines? — The bill clarifies and protects the right to interstate commerce for specific Alaska Native handicrafts. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill includes notice and hearing requirements for regulations regarding depleted species. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Secretary to demonstrate findings in writing and make them publicly available. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill maintains and exercises Secretary authority to regulate species deemed depleted. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill explicitly prohibits States from banning or restricting the trade of these specific items.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill supports traditional subsistence and craft economies in coastal Alaska communities. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill creates exemptions for taking marine mammals, which may impact species protection if not strictly regulated.
- Public Law (6/13/2026)
The text as it became law
- Enrolled Bill
The final version, on its way to the President
- 6/12/2026
- Signed by President.
- Became Public Law No: 119-99.
- 6/8/2026
- Presented to President.
- 6/3/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 404 - 14 (Roll no. 193).
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 404 - 14 (Roll no. 193).
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3794)
- 6/2/2026
- At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 254.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3765-3766; text: CR H3765)
- Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 10/10/2025
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 10/8/2025
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7007-7009; text: CR S7008)
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 10/6/2025
- 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.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 178.
- 6/25/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 1/24/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Lisa MurkowskiRepublican · Alaska