Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

25 U.S.C. § 3071

Purposes

The purposes of this chapter are—
(1)
to carry out the trust responsibility of the United States to Indian Tribes;
(2)
25 U.S.C. 3001section 1170 of title 18 to increase the maximum penalty for actions taken in violation of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act ( et seq.) (including , as added by that Act), in order to strengthen deterrence;
(3)
25 U.S.C. 3001section 1170 of title 1816 U.S.C. 470aa to stop the export, and facilitate the international repatriation, of cultural items prohibited from being trafficked by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act ( et seq.) (including , as added by that Act) and archaeological resources prohibited from being trafficked by the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 ( et seq.) by—
(A)
explicitly prohibiting the export;
(B)
creating an export certification system; and
(C)
confirming the authority of the President to request from foreign nations agreements or provisional measures to prevent irremediable damage to Native American cultural heritage;
(4)
25 U.S.C. 3001section 1170 of title 1816 U.S.C. 470aa to establish a Federal framework in order to support the voluntary return by individuals and organizations of items of tangible cultural heritage, including items covered by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act ( et seq.) (including , as added by that Act) and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 ( et seq.);
(5)
25 U.S.C. 3001section 1170 of title 1816 U.S.C. 470aa to establish an interagency working group to ensure communication between Federal agencies to successfully implement this chapter, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act ( et seq.) (including , as added by that Act), the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 ( et seq.), and other relevant Federal laws;
(6)
25 U.S.C. 3001section 1170 of title 1816 U.S.C. 470aa to establish a Native working group of Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to assist in the implementation of this chapter, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act ( et seq.) (including , as added by that Act), the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 ( et seq.), and other relevant Federal laws;
(7)
section 552 of title 5 to exempt from disclosure under (commonly known as the “Freedom of Information Act”)—
(A)
information submitted by Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations pursuant to this chapter; and
(B)
information relating to an Item Requiring Export Certification for which an export certification was denied pursuant to this chapter; and
(8)
to encourage buyers to purchase legal contemporary art made by Native artists for commercial purposes.

Pub. L. 117–258, § 2136 Stat. 2372(, , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Pub. L. 117–258136 Stat. 2372This chapter, referred to in the provision preceding par. (1) and in pars. (5) to (7), was in the original “this Act”, meaning , , , known as the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2021, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out below and Tables.

Pub. L. 101–601104 Stat. 3048section 3001 of this titleThe Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, referred to in pars. (2) to (6), is , , , which is classified principally to chapter 32 (§ 3001 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.

Pub. L. 96–9593 Stat. 721section 470aa of Title 16The Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, referred to in pars. (3) to (6), is , , , which is classified generally to chapter 1B (§ 470aa et seq.) of Title 16, Conservation. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title

Pub. L. 117–258, § 1136 Stat. 2372

section 1170 of Title 18“This Act [enacting this chapter and amending , Crimes and Criminal Procedure] may be cited as the ‘Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2021’.”
, , , provided that: