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HR 2419 108th Congress House

Native American Sacred Lands Act

Official title: To protect sacred Native American Federal land from significant damage.

Introduced: June 11, 2003 See on congress.gov
Public Lands and Natural Resources Administrative procedureAdministrative remediesChurch and stateChurch property
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesCivil actions and liabilityConfidential communicationsCrime and Law EnforcementDamagesDepartment of the InteriorEconomics and Public FinanceEvidence (Law)Federal aid to IndiansFederal-Indian relationsFines (Penalties)Government Operations and PoliticsHawaiiansIndian landsInjunctionsLand useLawMinoritiesNative AmericansPlanningRecidivistsReligionReligious libertyRight of petition
This bill died when the 108th Congress ended
It never became law before the 108th Congress (2003–2004) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 11, 2003
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1230-1231)
Jun 11, 2003
Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
Jun 11, 2003
Introduced in House
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 Latest action June 11, 2003

Referred to the House Committee on Resources.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
Native American Sacred Lands Act - Requires managers of Federal land to: (1) accommodate meaningful access and use by Indian religious practitioners; (2) prevent significant damage to Indian sacred lands; and (3) consult with Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations before taking significant actions concerning such lands.

Prohibits undertakings likely to cause significant damage to Indian sacred lands.

Grants Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations the right to petition the department or agency with administrative jurisdiction to have Federal lands designated as unsuitable for certain undertakings. Permits appeals through the Federal agency appeals board or in U. S. district courts. Provides relief through monetary damages, injunctions, or mandamus.

Provides for the withdrawal of lands determined to be unsuitable. Requires Federal land use plans to be modified accordingly.

Protects the confidentiality of information in a petition as it pertains to traditional cultural practice, religion, or the significance and location of sacred land. Establishes criminal penalties for violations of such confidentiality.

Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to make grants to assist Indian tribes in activities under this Act (including the acquisition or management of sacred lands deemed unsuitable for undertaking under this Act).

Authorizes the head of the department or agency with administrative jurisdiction over Federal sacred land to enter into cooperative agreements with tribes and take the land into trust for the benefit of the Indian tribe if the tribe manages the land to protect its sacredness.

Requires the Secretary to consult with Indian tribes in developing regulations.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2419: Native American Sacred Lands Act. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-2419/
MLA
"H.R. 2419: Native American Sacred Lands Act." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-2419/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2419, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-2419/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2419: Native American Sacred Lands Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-2419/)
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