S. 254: ARTIST Act
Sponsor
Dan Sullivan
Republican · AK
What S. 254 does
The ARTIST Act, short for Alaska's Right to Ivory Sales and Tradition Act, bars states from banning marine mammal products made by Alaska Natives. States may not prohibit the interstate commerce, importation, sale, transfer, trade, barter or possession of marine mammal ivory, bone or baleen legally produced by an Alaska Native as an authentic Alaska Native handicraft or clothing article.
How the House voted
Passed · June 3, 202614 Republicans broke with their party to vote no
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass: S 254 ARTIST Act · Roll no. 193 · Official record
S254 Legislative Journey
Signed into Law
Jun 12, 2026
Became Public Law No: 119-99.
+3 more actions this day
Action Taken
Jun 8, 2026
Presented to President.
House: Vote: 404-14
Jun 3, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 404 - 14 (Roll no. 193).
House: Vote Held
Jun 2, 2026
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.
House: Action Taken
Oct 10, 2025
Held at the desk.
Passed 7007-7009
Oct 8, 2025
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7007-7009; text: CR S7008)
+2 more actions this day
Action Taken
Oct 6, 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 178.
About the Sponsor
Dan Sullivan
Republican, AK · 11 years in Congress
Committees: Veterans' Affairs, Armed Services, Commerce, Science, and Transportation
View full profile →
Cosponsors at time of passage (1)
This bill has 1 cosponsor: 1 Republican. Cosponsors represent 1 state: Alaska.
Committee Sponsors
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
0 of 28 committee members cosponsored at the time
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
What laws does S. 254 change?
1 changes
Sections Amended
Section 101(b) of Marine Mammal Protection Act Of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1371(b))
read as follows: ``(b) Exemption for Alaskan Natives
S. 254 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Commerce, Science, and Transportation
- Chamber
- Senate
- Policy
- Native Americans
- Introduced
- Jan 24, 2025
Became Public Law No: 119-99.
Jun 12, 2026
About Legisletter
Legisletter is the advocacy platform that tracks every bill from introduction to Public Law — and connects the constituents affected by a bill to the legislators who vote on it.
S. 254 Bill Text
“To amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to protect the cultural practices and livelihoods of producers of Alaska Native handicrafts and marine mammal ivory products, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
Get notified when S. 254 moves
Committee votes, floor action, cosponsor changes — straight to your inbox.
Bill alerts + Legisletter's monthly briefing. Unsubscribe anytime.
Native Americans Bills
9 related bills we're tracking
Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act of 2025
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 439.
Feb 23, 2026
Special Diabetes Program for Indians Reauthorization Act of 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Sep 18, 2025
To authorize leases of up to 99 years for land held in trust for federally recognized Indian Tribes.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Mar 4, 2026
Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
Jun 24, 2026
Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act of 2025
Became Public Law No: 119-88.
May 4, 2026
Chugach Alaska Land Exchange Oil Spill Recovery Act of 2025
Received in the Senate.
Mar 4, 2026
Helping Our People Act of 2026
Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs.
Sep 10, 2026
Technical Corrections to the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act, Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Act, and Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act
Held at the desk.
Dec 15, 2025
Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act of 2025
Became Public Law No: 119-93.
May 19, 2026
Trending Right Now
Bills gaining momentum across Congress
North Platte Canteen Congressional Gold Medal Act
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Feb 21, 2025
Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, and Ways and Means, 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.
May 8, 2025
ASAP Act
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 0.
Sep 16, 2026
Tracking Native Americans in Congress? Monitor bills, track cosponsor momentum, and launch advocacy campaigns — all from one advocacy platform.