S. 254 · Signed into law · Native Americans

ARTIST Act

Sponsor: Dan Sullivan (R-AK)

What it does

• Prohibits states from banning importation, sale, transfer, trade, barter, or possession of marine mammal ivory, bone, and baleen legally produced by Alaska Natives as authentic handicrafts and clothing.
• Preempts state-level bans on marine mammal products when produced by Alaska Natives as articles of handicraft and clothing.
• Allows interstate commerce in Alaska Native marine mammal products despite state prohibitions.

Official summary

Alaska’s Right To Ivory Sales and Tradition Act or the ARTIST Act This bill prohibits states from imposing bans on marine mammal products produced by Alaska Natives. Specifically, states may not prohibit the importation, sale, transfer, trade, barter, or possession of marine mammal ivory, marine mammal bone, or baleen legally produced by an Alaska Native as an authentic Alaska Native article of handicrafts and clothing.

Latest action

Jun 12, 2026: Became Public Law No: 119-99.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation