Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act

Key Points

• Would clarify that the federal migratory bird law does not ban Alaska Native-made traditional crafts just because they include nonedible bird parts (like feathers).
• Sets clear rules for what counts as an “authentic” Alaska Native handicraft, including who qualifies as Alaska Native and that the item can’t be mass-produced.
• Allows these authentic items to be owned, sold, bought, traded, shipped, and transported under federal law, as long as other limits are met.
• Keeps a key guardrail: the protection does not apply if the bird part came from a bird taken in a wasteful or illegal way.
• Requires the State Department and Interior Department to work with treaty partner countries and update federal rules within set timeframes to match the clarification.

Impact Analysis

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