A bill to amend the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act to authorize grants to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- S. 612
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Native Americans
- Status
- Passed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-17: Held at the desk.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T04:26:25Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation amends the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act (commonly called the NATIVE Act) to establish a grant program aimed at enhancing tourism and visitor experiences in Native American and Native Hawaiian communities. The overall goal is to support economic development, cultural preservation, and infrastructure improvements in these areas by providing federal funding and partnerships.
Key Provisions
- Grant Authority for Specific Agencies:
- The Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA, a federal agency under the Department of the Interior responsible for tribal affairs) can award grants or enter agreements with Indian tribes (federally recognized Native American groups) and tribal organizations to advance the Act's purposes, such as promoting tourism and improving visitor access.
- The Director of the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations (within the Department of the Interior) can provide similar grants or agreements to Native Hawaiian organizations.
- Broader Federal Involvement:
- Heads of other federal agencies, including the Secretaries of Commerce, Transportation, Agriculture, Health and Human Services, and Labor, are authorized to offer grants or agreements to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations for the same purposes.
- Funding Authorization:
- Allocates up to $35 million in federal funds for fiscal years 2025 through 2029 to support these activities.
- Structural Changes:
- Redesignates the existing section 6 of the NATIVE Act as section 7 and inserts a new section 6 dedicated to these grant programs.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The original NATIVE Act (enacted in 2016) focused on creating a federal advisory committee and promoting Native tourism but did not include dedicated grant programs or explicit authority for multiple agencies to fund tribal and Native Hawaiian tourism initiatives.
- This amendment introduces the first comprehensive grant mechanism under the Act, expanding federal support from advisory and promotional efforts to direct financial assistance and cooperative agreements.
- It extends eligibility to Native Hawaiian organizations, which were not previously covered in the same way, broadening the Act's scope beyond continental U.S. tribes.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Increases administrative responsibilities for the BIA, Office of Native Hawaiian Relations, and other listed departments to manage grants, potentially requiring new program oversight and coordination to ensure funds align with the Act's goals like sustainable tourism development.
- On Citizens and Communities: Provides resources for Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian groups to invest in tourism infrastructure (e.g., cultural sites, transportation access, or visitor education), which could boost local economies, create jobs, and preserve cultural heritage. This may improve visitor experiences while benefiting Native communities through revenue from tourism.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced Native tourism could indirectly promote U.S. cultural diversity to international visitors, supporting soft diplomacy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Primary Beneficiaries: Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations, who gain access to federal grants for tourism-related projects.
- Federal Entities: BIA, Office of Native Hawaiian Relations, and departments led by the Secretaries of Commerce (oversees economic development), Transportation (handles infrastructure), Agriculture (manages rural and natural resources), Health and Human Services (supports community health in tourism contexts), and Labor (aids workforce training).
- Indirectly Affected: Local businesses, tourists, and state governments in areas with Native communities, as tourism growth could influence regional economies.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces the federal government's trust responsibility (a legal obligation rooted in treaties and statutes) to support tribal self-determination and economic development under laws like the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. The grant structure emphasizes voluntary agreements, respecting tribal sovereignty.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's plenary power over Indian affairs (Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution), allowing federal funding without infringing on tribal autonomy.
- Political: Represents bipartisan support for Native issues (passed the Senate unanimously in this session), potentially setting a precedent for expanded federal-tribal partnerships in cultural and economic policy. It could encourage future appropriations but depends on congressional budgeting, as authorizations do not guarantee funding.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-17: Held at the desk.
- 2025-12-17: Received in the House.
- 2025-12-17: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 2025-12-16: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8752; text: CR S8752)
- 2025-12-16: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-05-08: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 72.
- 2025-05-08: Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-20.
- 2025-05-08: Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-20.
- 2025-03-05: Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 2025-02-18: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
- 2025-02-18: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- An Act To amend the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act to authorize grants to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-12-16 — PDF (4 pages)
- To amend the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act to authorize grants to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-02-18 — PDF (2 pages)
- To amend the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act to authorize grants to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-05-08 — PDF (4 pages)