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Public Law117th CongressNative Americans
H.R. 2930Became Law

Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2021

This bill became law

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What it doesSummary public law (Dec 21, 2022)

Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2021

This act prohibits the exportation of Native American cultural items and archaeological resources that were illegally obtained; provides for the return of such items, including voluntary returns; and establishes and increases related criminal penalties.

Specifically, the act makes it a federal crime to export, attempt to export, or otherwise transport from the United States Native American cultural items and archaeological resources without obtaining an export certification. U.S. Customs and Border Protection must detain any item requiring an export certification that does not have one.

The act requires the Department of the Interior and the Department of State to each designate a liaison to facilitate and hold trainings and workshops on the voluntary return of human remains and cultural items.

Additionally, Interior must

  • refer individuals and organizations to Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to facilitate the voluntary return of human remains and cultural items;
  • convene an interagency working group; and
  • convene a Native working group consisting of representatives of Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to provide advice on issues concerning the return of, and illegal trade in, human remains and cultural items.

The act also increases the maximum criminal penalties for violating the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. In particular, the act increases from 5 years to 10 years the maximum prison term for an individual convicted of a second or subsequent violation of selling, purchasing, using for profit, or transporting for sale or profit human remains or cultural items that were illegally obtained.

What just happenedDec 21, 2022

Became Public Law No: 117-258.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3](D-NM)Sponsor
24 cosponsors18 D6 R
Read on Congress.gov
24cosponsors3committees36actions1related bills26subjects
  1. Dec 21, 2022President

    Became Public Law No: 117-258.

  2. Dec 21, 2022BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 117-258.

  3. Dec 21, 2022President

    Signed by President.

  4. Dec 21, 2022BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Dec 16, 2022Floor

    Presented to President.

  6. Dec 16, 2022President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Nov 30, 2022Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  8. Nov 29, 2022Floor

    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6847-6848)

  9. Nov 29, 2022Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

  10. Dec 7, 2021IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate, read twice.

  11. Dec 2, 2021FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  12. Dec 2, 2021FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 364 - 57 (Roll no. 401). (text: 12/01/2021 CR H6727-6730)

  13. Dec 2, 2021Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 364 - 57 (Roll no. 401).(text: 12/01/2021 CR H6727-6730)

  14. Dec 2, 2021FloorH30000

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6891-6892)

  15. Dec 1, 2021FloorH37220

    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.

  16. Dec 1, 2021FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2930.

  17. Dec 1, 2021FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6727-6732)

  18. Dec 1, 2021FloorH30300

    Ms. Leger Fernandez moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  19. Dec 1, 2021CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 140.

  20. Dec 1, 2021DischargeH12300

    Committee on Foreign Affairs discharged.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  21. Dec 1, 2021Committee5500

    Committee on Foreign Affairs discharged.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  22. Dec 1, 2021DischargeH12300

    Committee on the Judiciary discharged.

    Judiciary Committee
  23. Dec 1, 2021Committee5500

    Committee on the Judiciary discharged.

    Judiciary Committee
  24. Dec 1, 2021CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 117-196, Part I.

    Natural Resources Committee
  25. Dec 1, 2021Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 117-196, Part I.

    Natural Resources Committee
  26. Nov 9, 2021Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

    Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee
  27. Oct 13, 2021Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.

    Natural Resources Committee
  28. Oct 13, 2021Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Natural Resources Committee
  29. Oct 13, 2021Committee

    Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States Discharged.

    Natural Resources Committee
  30. May 20, 2021Committee

    Subcommittee Hearings Held.

    Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee
  31. May 20, 2021Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States.

    Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee
  32. Apr 30, 2021IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Foreign Affairs, 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.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  33. Apr 30, 2021IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Foreign Affairs, 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.

    Judiciary Committee
  34. Apr 30, 2021IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Foreign Affairs, 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.

    Natural Resources Committee
  35. Apr 30, 2021IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  36. Apr 30, 2021IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Public LawDec 21, 202249

Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2021

This act prohibits the exportation of Native American cultural items and archaeological resources that were illegally obtained; provides for the return of such items, including voluntary returns; and establishes and increases related criminal penalties.

Specifically, the act makes it a federal crime to export, attempt to export, or otherwise transport from the United States Native American cultural items and archaeological resources without obtaining an export certification. U.S. Customs and Border Protection must detain any item requiring an export certification that does not have one.

The act requires the Department of the Interior and the Department of State to each designate a liaison to facilitate and hold trainings and workshops on the voluntary return of human remains and cultural items.

Additionally, Interior must

  • refer individuals and organizations to Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to facilitate the voluntary return of human remains and cultural items;
  • convene an interagency working group; and
  • convene a Native working group consisting of representatives of Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to provide advice on issues concerning the return of, and illegal trade in, human remains and cultural items.

The act also increases the maximum criminal penalties for violating the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. In particular, the act increases from 5 years to 10 years the maximum prison term for an individual convicted of a second or subsequent violation of selling, purchasing, using for profit, or transporting for sale or profit human remains or cultural items that were illegally obtained.

Passed SenateNov 29, 202255

Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2021

This bill prohibits the exportation of Native American cultural items and archaeological resources that were illegally obtained; provides for the return of such items, including voluntary returns; and establishes and increases related criminal penalties.

The bill requires the Department of the Interior and the Department of State to each designate a liaison to facilitate and hold trainings and workshops on the voluntary return of human remains and cultural items.

Additionally, Interior must

  • refer individuals and organizations to Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to facilitate the voluntary return of human remains and cultural items;
  • convene an interagency working group; and
  • convene a Native working group consisting of representatives of Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to provide advice on issues concerning the return of, and illegal trade in, human remains and cultural items.

The bill also increases from 5 years to 10 years the maximum prison term for an individual convicted of selling, purchasing, using for profit, or transporting for sale or profit human remains or cultural items that were illegally obtained.

Passed HouseDec 2, 202153

Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2021

This bill prohibits the exportation of Native American cultural items and archaeological resources that were illegally obtained; provides for the return of such items, including voluntary returns; and establishes and increases related criminal penalties.

The bill requires the Department of the Interior and the Department of State to each designate a liaison to facilitate and hold trainings and workshops on the voluntary return of human remains and cultural items.

Additionally, Interior must

  • refer individuals and organizations to Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to facilitate the voluntary return of human remains and cultural items;
  • convene an interagency working group; and
  • convene a Native working group consisting of representatives of Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to provide advice on issues concerning the return of, and illegal trade in, human remains and cultural items.

The bill also increases from 5 years to 10 years the maximum prison term for an individual convicted of selling, purchasing, using for profit, or transporting for sale or profit human remains or cultural items that were illegally obtained.

Reported to House, Part IDec 1, 20218

Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2021

This bill prohibits the exportation of Native American cultural items and archaeological resources that were illegally obtained; provides for the return of such items, including voluntary returns; and establishes and increases related criminal penalties.

The bill requires the Department of the Interior and the Department of State to each designate a liaison to facilitate and hold trainings and workshops on the voluntary return of human remains and cultural items.

Additionally, Interior must

  • refer individuals and organizations to Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to facilitate the voluntary return of human remains and cultural items;
  • convene an interagency working group; and
  • convene a Native working group consisting of representatives of Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to provide advice on issues concerning the return of, and illegal trade in, human remains and cultural items.

The bill also increases from 5 years to 10 years the maximum prison term for an individual convicted of selling, purchasing, using for profit, or transporting for sale or profit human remains or cultural items that were illegally obtained.

Introduced in HouseApr 30, 2021

Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2021

This bill prohibits the exportation of Native American cultural items and archaeological resources that were illegally obtained; provides for the return of such items, including voluntary returns; and establishes and increases related criminal penalties.

The bill requires the Department of the Interior and the Department of State to each designate a liaison to facilitate and hold trainings and workshops on the voluntary return of human remains and cultural items.

Additionally, Interior must

  • refer individuals and organizations to Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to facilitate the voluntary return of human remains and cultural items;
  • convene an interagency working group; and
  • convene a Native working group consisting of representatives of Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to provide advice on issues concerning the return of, and illegal trade in, human remains and cultural items.

The bill also increases from 5 years to 10 years the maximum prison term for an individual convicted of selling, purchasing, using for profit, or transporting for sale or profit human remains or cultural items that were illegally obtained.

Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2021 — Informed