S. 3358

119 S3358 IS: Native American Seeds Act of 2025
 U.S. Senate
 2025-12-04
 text/xml
 EN
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 II  119th CONGRESS  1st Session  S. 3358  IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES   December 4, 2025   Mr. Heinrich  (for himself,  Mr. Crapo ,  Mr. Gallego ,  Mr. Luján , and  Mr. Risch ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the  Committee on Indian Affairs    A BILL
To assist Indian Tribes in protecting Native American seeds, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Native American Seeds Act of 2025  .
2.
Definitions
In this Act:
(1)
Indian Tribe
The term  Indian Tribe  has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act ( 25 U.S.C. 5304 ).
(2)
Native American seed
The term  Native American seed  means a seed of traditional or cultural significance to an Indian Tribe.
(3)
Secretary
The term  Secretary  means the Secretary of the Interior.
3.
Protection of Native American seeds
(a)
In general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall work with Indian Tribes—
(1)
to determine which seeds are Native American seeds; and
(2)
to support—
(A)
efforts of Indian Tribes to protect Native American seeds;
(B)
Native American seed banks and related facilities; and
(C)
traditional agriculture systems of Indian Tribes that provide for the nurturing and harvesting of Native American seeds.
(b)
Protection of information
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall not disclose or cause to be disclosed any information that is—
(1)
provided to the Secretary by an Indian Tribe for the purposes of this Act; and
(2)
identified by the Indian Tribe as culturally sensitive, proprietary, or otherwise confidential.
(c)
No additional funds authorized
No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section and the activities authorized by this section are subject to the availability of appropriations made in advance for such purposes.
4.
Judicial review
Notwithstanding section 706 of title 5, United States Code, a court shall defer to the reasonable interpretation of the Secretary with respect to any ambiguous provision of this Act.