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HR 5854 114th Congress House Native Americans Alaska Natives and Hawaiians Archaeology and anthropology Cemeteries and funerals Congressional oversight Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation Federal-Indian relations General Native American affairs matters Government studies and investigations Historical and cultural resources Smuggling and trafficking Trade restrictions

Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2016

Introduced: July 14, 2016 Introduced by: Luján, Ben Ray Democratic · New Mexico See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 114th Congress ended
It never became law before the 114th Congress (2015–2016) 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 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Aug 11, 2016
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
Aug 4, 2016
Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs.
Jul 14, 2016
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jul 14, 2016
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2016

This bill increases the maximum term of imprisonment from 5 years to 10 years for individuals convicted more than once of illegal trafficking in Native American human remains or cultural items.

This bill bans the export of illegally obtained Native American cultural objects and sets penalties for violations of this ban.

A person is immune from criminal prosecution under laws regarding Native American cultural objects if the person voluntarily repatriates to the appropriate tribe all the Native American cultural objects in the person's possession not later than two years after enactment of this bill. This immunity does not apply to a person under active investigation or prosecution relating to Native American cultural objects.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) must report on the number of Native American cultural objects illegally trafficked and the extent to which the Department of Justice has prosecuted cases of trafficking. The GAO must recommend actions to eliminate such trafficking and to secure the repatriation of Native American cultural objects.

The Department of the Interior must facilitate the convention of a working group to contribute information to the GAO report and to advise on implementation of the GAO's recommendations.
What's happening now August 11, 2016

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 3127 Identical bill Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2016
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5854: Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2016. 114th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-5854/
MLA
"H.R. 5854: Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2016." 114th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-5854/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5854, 114th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-5854/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5854: Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2016](https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-5854/)
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