Bill > HR6415

This bill establishes a framework for protecting Native American seeds, with the Secretary of the Interior required to collaborate with Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations within one year of enactment to identify and support culturally significant seeds. Specifically, the bill directs the Secretary to determine which seeds are considered "Native American seeds" and provide support for tribal efforts to protect these seeds, maintain seed banks, and preserve traditional agricultural systems. The bill includes strong confidentiality protections, preventing the disclosure of any culturally sensitive, proprietary, or confidential information shared by tribes during this process. Key definitions are provided, including clarifying that "Indian Tribe" refers to the definition in the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, and "Native American seed" means seeds of traditional or cultural significance to a tribe. The bill also includes a judicial review provision that allows courts to defer to the Secretary's reasonable interpretation of ambiguous parts of the Act, and importantly, specifies that no additional funds are authorized for these activities, meaning the work must be done within existing budgetary constraints.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6415/all-info