Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Clarification Act
In committeeArchie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act This bill states that nothing in the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (MBTA) prohibits possessing, selling, bartering, purchasing, shipping, or transporting any authentic Alaska Native handicraft, clothing, or art on the basis that it contains a nonedible migratory bird part, so long as the bird was not taken in a wasteful or illegal manner. (The MBTA implements four international treaties that the United States entered into with Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Russia. The MBTA prohibits the taking of protected migratory bird species without prior authorization.) The bill directs the Department of State to work with the Department of the Interior to enter into appropriate bilateral procedures with countries that are parties to the treaties under the MBTA to clarify the treatment of Alaska Native handicraft containing nonedible migratory bird parts from the species of migratory birds listed in those treaties. Further, Interior must modify any regulations implementing the MBTA to implement this bill.
Sep 15, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
The Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Clarification Act aims to amend the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to allow authentic Alaska Native handicrafts containing nonedible migratory bird parts. It provides definitions and limitations to ensure these crafts are made traditionally and not from wastefully or illegally obtained bird parts. The bill requires coordination with international treaty partners and regulatory updates.