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S 3127 114th Congress Senate 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 6, 2016 Introduced by: Heinrich, Martin 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 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 6, 2016
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Jul 6, 2016
Introduced in Senate
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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 July 6, 2016

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 5854 Identical bill Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2016
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 4
All 4 Democratic 2 Republican 2
D
Bennet, Michael F.
Colorado · Sep 28, 2016
 D
Schatz, Brian
Hawaii · Sep 12, 2016
 R
Daines, Steve
Montana · Jul 14, 2016
 R
Murkowski, Lisa
Alaska · Jul 13, 2016
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 3127: Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2016. 114th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-3127/
MLA
"S. 3127: Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2016." 114th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-3127/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 3127, 114th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-3127/.
Markdown link
[S. 3127: Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2016](https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-3127/)
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