Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Act

Full Title:
Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act

Summary#

This bill changes the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to make clear how authentic Alaska Native articles of handicraft that contain nonedible parts of migratory birds are treated. It adds a definition of "Alaska Native" (verified by a tribal enrollment card, a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood, or a Silver Hand permit) and a definition of "authentic Alaska Native article of handicraft" (made largely from natural materials, made or decorated in significant part by an Alaska Native using traditional handicraft techniques, and not made with mass copying devices). The bill says that the Act does not prohibit possession, sale, transport, or receipt of these authentic handicrafts just because they contain nonedible migratory bird parts. The change does not apply if the bird part was taken in a wasteful or illegal way. The bill also directs the Secretary of State, working with the Secretary of the Interior, to set up bilateral procedures with the listed treaty countries, and directs the Interior Department to update regulations, both within 180 days of enactment.

What it means for you#

  • Alaska Native artisans: Items that meet the bill's definition of authentic handicrafts and that contain nonedible migratory bird parts would not be treated as prohibited under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, unless the bird parts were taken wastefully or illegally.
  • Buyers, sellers, and transporters: The bill states these activities (sale, barter, shipment, transport, receipt) of qualifying authentic items are not prohibited under the Act.
  • International travel and trade: The Secretary of State is to work with treaty partner countries to clarify how such items are treated under the listed conventions, so cross-border rules may be clarified after those diplomatic procedures are completed.
  • Verification: The bill lists acceptable proofs of Alaska Native status (tribal enrollment card, CDIB, or Silver Hand permit) for the definition.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on costs. The bill requires the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Interior to complete diplomatic and regulatory actions within 180 days, but it does not provide cost estimates or funding details.

Proponents' View#

The bill is presented as a clarification to ensure authentic Alaska Native handicrafts that include nonedible migratory bird parts are not prohibited by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and to align U.S. treatment of those items with the named international conventions, subject to the limitation on wasteful or illegal taking.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.