S. 255 — Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act

This section states the purpose of the Act to clarify the treatment of authentic Alaska Native articles of handicraft (as defined in subsection (c)(1) of section 2 of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 16 U.S.C. 703) under the U.S. migratory bird treaties with Great Britain (1916), Mexico (1936), Japan (1974), and the Soviet Union (1976).

This section amends the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) to exempt authentic Alaska Native articles of handicraft containing nonedible migratory bird parts from the Act's prohibitions on possession, sale, barter, purchase, transport, and related activities—provided the parts were not taken wastefully or illegally. (As background, the MBTA implements bilateral treaties restricting activities involving protected migratory bird species.) It defines "Alaska Native" as a member of an Alaska-based Indian tribe (as defined in 25 U.S.C. 5304) verified by tribal enrollment, a Bureau of Indian Affairs Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood, or an Alaska Silver Hand permit; and "authentic Alaska Native article of handicraft" as an item composed significantly of natural materials and produced, decorated, or fashioned substantially by an Alaska Native using traditional methods without mass copying devices (including specified weavings, carvings, etc.). Additionally, (1) within 180 days of enactment, it directs the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of the Interior, to pursue bilateral procedures with MBTA treaty partners and directs the Secretary of the Interior to update implementing regulations; and (2) it makes a technical amendment to MBTA section 2(a) by inserting a comma.