H.R. 2930 · 117th Congress · House

Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2021

Enacted· Became Public Law No: 117-258.
Introduced
Apr 30, 21
Passed House
Dec 2, 21
Passed Senate
Nov 29, 22
Sent to President
Dec 16, 22
Signed into Law
Dec 21, 22

Executive Summary

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.

Previous Versions

55Nov 29, 2022

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.

53Dec 2, 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.

08Dec 1, 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.

00Apr 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.

Action Timeline

36
  1. DEC 21, 2022BecameLaw

    Signed by President.

  2. DEC 21, 2022President

    Signed by President.

  3. DEC 21, 2022BecameLaw

    Became Public Law No: 117-258.

    117Yea
    258Nay
    0NV
  4. DEC 21, 2022President

    Became Public Law No: 117-258.

    117Yea
    258Nay
    0NV
  5. DEC 16, 2022President

    Presented to President.

  6. DEC 16, 2022Floor

    Presented to President.

  7. NOV 30, 2022Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  8. NOV 29, 2022Floor

    Passed/agreed to in Senate

    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

  9. NOV 29, 2022Floor

    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent

    (consideration: CR S6847-6848)

    6847Yea
    6848Nay
    0NV
  10. DEC 07, 2021IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate, read twice.

  11. DEC 02, 2021Floor

    Considered as unfinished business

    (consideration: CR H6891-6892)

    6891Yea
    6892Nay
    0NV
  12. DEC 02, 2021Floor

    Passed/agreed to in House

    Roll Call #401

    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)

    364Yea
    57Nay
    0NV
  13. DEC 02, 2021Floor

    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)

    Roll Call #401
    364Yea
    57Nay
    0NV
  14. DEC 02, 2021Floor

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

  15. DEC 01, 2021Committee

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources

    H. Rept. 117-196, Part I.

    117Yea
    196Nay
    0NV
  16. DEC 01, 2021Committee

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources

    H. Rept. 117-196, Part I.

    117Yea
    196Nay
    0NV
  17. DEC 01, 2021Committee

    Committee on the Judiciary discharged.

  18. DEC 01, 2021Discharge

    Committee on the Judiciary discharged.

  19. DEC 01, 2021Committee

    Committee on Foreign Affairs discharged.

  20. DEC 01, 2021Discharge

    Committee on Foreign Affairs discharged.

  21. DEC 01, 2021Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 140.

  22. DEC 01, 2021Floor

    Ms

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

  23. DEC 01, 2021Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules

    (consideration: CR H6727-6732)

    6727Yea
    6732Nay
    0NV
  24. DEC 01, 2021Floor

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

  25. DEC 01, 2021Floor

    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.

  26. NOV 09, 2021Committee

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

  27. OCT 13, 2021Committee

    Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States Discharged.

  28. OCT 13, 2021Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  29. OCT 13, 2021Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.

  30. MAY 20, 2021Committee

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

  31. MAY 20, 2021Committee

    Subcommittee Hearings Held.

  32. APR 30, 2021IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  33. APR 30, 2021IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  34. APR 30, 2021IntroReferral

    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.

  35. APR 30, 2021IntroReferral

    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.

  36. APR 30, 2021IntroReferral

    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.

Committees

11

Foreign Affairs Committee

hsfa00

Referred: Dec 1, 2021

Active

Judiciary Committee

hsju00

Referred: Dec 1, 2021

Active

Natural Resources Committee

hsii00

Referred: Dec 1, 2021

Active

Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee

hsju08

Referred: Nov 9, 2021

Active

Natural Resources Committee

hsii00

Referred: Oct 13, 2021

Active

Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee

hsii24

Referred: Oct 13, 2021

Active

Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee

hsii24

Referred: May 20, 2021

Active

Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee

hsii24

Referred: May 20, 2021

Active

Foreign Affairs Committee

hsfa00

Referred: Apr 30, 2021

Active

Judiciary Committee

hsju00

Referred: Apr 30, 2021

Active

Natural Resources Committee

hsii00

Referred: Apr 30, 2021

Active