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H.R. 2930 117th Congress House

Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2021

Official title: To enhance protections of Native American tangible cultural heritage, and for other purposes.

Introduced: April 30, 2021 Introduced by: Teresa Leger Fernandez Democratic · New Mexico See on congress.gov
Native Americans Administrative remediesAdvisory bodiesAlaska Natives and HawaiiansArchaeology and anthropology
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Cemeteries and funeralsCharitable contributionsCivil actions and liabilityCrimes against propertyCriminal procedure and sentencingCustoms enforcementDepartment of the InteriorDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadEvidence and witnessesExecutive agency funding and structureFederal-Indian relationsGovernment information and archivesHistorical and cultural resourcesIncome tax deductionsInternational organizations and cooperationLicensing and registrationsPresidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsRight of privacySmuggling and traffickingTax administration and collection, taxpayersTrade restrictionsUser charges and fees
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 Everywhere this bill has been 26 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Dec 21, 2022
Became Public Law No: 117-258.
Dec 21, 2022
Signed by President.
Dec 16, 2022
Presented to President.
Nov 30, 2022
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Nov 29, 2022
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6847-6848)
Nov 29, 2022
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Dec 7, 2021
Received in the Senate, read twice.
Dec 2, 2021
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Dec 2, 2021
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 364 - 57 (Roll no. 401). (text: 12/01/2021 CR H6727-6730)
Dec 2, 2021
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6891-6892)
Dec 1, 2021
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Dec 1, 2021
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2930.
Dec 1, 2021
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6727-6732)
Dec 1, 2021
Ms. Leger Fernandez moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Dec 1, 2021
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 140.
Dec 1, 2021
Committee on Foreign Affairs discharged.
Dec 1, 2021
Committee on the Judiciary discharged.
Dec 1, 2021
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 117-196, Part I.
Nov 9, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Oct 13, 2021
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
Oct 13, 2021
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Oct 13, 2021
Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States Discharged.
May 20, 2021
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
May 20, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States.
Apr 30, 2021
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Foreign Affairs, 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.
Apr 30, 2021
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Dec 2, 2021 House · vote #401 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Passed 364–57 See who voted →
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 Latest action December 21, 2022

Became Public Law No: 117-258.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2021

This act prohibits the exportation of Native American cultural items and archaeological resources that were illegally obtained; provides for the return of such items, including voluntary returns; and establishes and increases related criminal penalties.

Specifically, the act makes it a federal crime to export, attempt to export, or otherwise transport from the United States Native American cultural items and archaeological resources without obtaining an export certification. U.S. Customs and Border Protection must detain any item requiring an export certification that does not have one.

The act requires the Department of the Interior and the Department of State to each designate a liaison to facilitate and hold trainings and workshops on the voluntary return of human remains and cultural items.

Additionally, Interior must

  • refer individuals and organizations to Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to facilitate the voluntary return of human remains and cultural items;
  • convene an interagency working group; and
  • convene a Native working group consisting of representatives of Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to provide advice on issues concerning the return of, and illegal trade in, human remains and cultural items.

The act also increases the maximum criminal penalties for violating the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. In particular, the act increases from 5 years to 10 years the maximum prison term for an individual convicted of a second or subsequent violation of selling, purchasing, using for profit, or transporting for sale or profit human remains or cultural items that were illegally obtained.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 1471 Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2021
 Bill text 6 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 5
 Cosponsors 24
All 24 Democratic 13 Republican 5
D
Neguse, Joe
Colorado · Nov 1, 2021
 D
Craig, Angie
Minnesota · Oct 22, 2021
 D
Huffman, Jared
California · Oct 22, 2021
 D
Meng, Grace
New York · Oct 22, 2021
 D
Grijalva, Raúl M.
Arizona · Oct 19, 2021
 D
Lofgren, Zoe
California · Oct 19, 2021
Manning, Kathy
· Oct 19, 2021
 D
Omar, Ilhan
Minnesota · Oct 19, 2021
 R
Fitzpatrick, Brian K.
Pennsylvania · Oct 15, 2021
 D
Norton, Eleanor Holmes
District of Columbia · Oct 8, 2021
 D
Takano, Mark
California · Oct 8, 2021
 R
Joyce, David P.
Ohio · Sep 29, 2021
 D
Stansbury, Melanie A.
New Mexico · Sep 28, 2021
 D
McCollum, Betty
Minnesota · Jun 29, 2021
 D
Case, Ed
Hawaii · Jun 11, 2021
O'Halleran, Tom
· Jun 1, 2021
Kilmer, Derek
· May 28, 2021
Bass, Karen
· Apr 30, 2021
 R
Cole, Tom
Oklahoma · Apr 30, 2021
 D
Davids, Sharice
Kansas · Apr 30, 2021
 R
Mast, Brian J.
Florida · Apr 30, 2021
 D
Pingree, Chellie
Maine · Apr 30, 2021
 R
Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman
American Samoa · Apr 30, 2021
YOUNG, DON
· Apr 30, 2021
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2930: Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2021. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-2930/
MLA
"H.R. 2930: Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2021." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-2930/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2930, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-2930/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2930: Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2021](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-2930/)
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