Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Clarification Act
Latest action (14 Sep 2026): On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
What this bill does
H.R. 6021, the Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Clarification Act, directs the Secretary of State to work with the Secretary of the Interior to establish, within 180 days of enactment, bilateral procedures with Japan—the treaty partner under the 1974 U.S.-Japan migratory bird convention—to clarify how authentic Alaska Native handicrafts containing nonedible migratory bird parts are treated for sale. It also allows the Secretary of the Interior to modify Migratory Bird Treaty Act regulations, in consultation with the Alaska Migratory Bird Co-Management Council, the Pacific Flyway Council, and Japan, to address issues such as consignment, resale, authenticity certification, and protections for species of conservation concern. The bill defines "Alaska Native" and "authentic Alaska Native article of handicraft," excludes items made with illegally or wastefully taken bird parts, and includes a minor technical date correction to existing law.
The bill primarily affects Alaska Native artisans and sellers of traditional handicrafts, federal agencies (State and Interior Departments, Fish and Wildlife Service), and Alaska Native co-management bodies. It aims to reduce legal uncertainty for those producing or selling handicrafts that include parts from migratory bird species covered by the treaty, while preserving conservation protections and allowing species to be removed from coverage if their populations decline.
The bill passed the House on September 14, 2026, by voice vote after being amended, and now goes to the Senate for consideration. No further action has yet occurred there.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act
This bill states that nothing in the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (MBTA) prohibits possessing, selling, bartering, purchasing, shipping, or transporting any authentic Alaska Native handicraft, clothing, or art on the basis that it contains a nonedible migratory bird part, so long as the bird was not taken in a wasteful or illegal manner. (The MBTA implements four international treaties that the United States entered into with Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Russia. The MBTA prohibits the taking of protected migratory bird species without prior authorization.)
The bill directs the Department of State to work with the Department of the Interior to enter into appropriate bilateral procedures with countries that are parties to the treaties under the MBTA to clarify the treatment of Alaska Native handicraft containing nonedible migratory bird parts from the species of migratory birds listed in those treaties. Further, Interior must modify any regulations implementing the MBTA to implement this bill.
Timeline
14 Sep 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
22 Jul 2026
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 6021 do?
- H.R. 6021, the Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Clarification Act, directs the Secretary of State to work with the Secretary of the Interior to establish, within 180 days of enactment, bilateral procedures with Japan—the treaty partner under the 1974 U.S.-Japan migratory bird convention—to clarify how authentic Alaska Native handicrafts containing nonedible migratory bird parts are treated for sale. It also allows the Secretary of the Interior to modify Migratory Bird Treaty Act regulations, in consultation with the Alaska Migratory Bird Co-Management Council, the Pacific Flyway Council, and Japan, to address issues such as consignment, resale, authenticity certification, and protections for species of conservation concern. The bill defines "Alaska Native" and "authentic Alaska Native article of handicraft," excludes items made with illegally or wastefully taken bird parts, and includes a minor technical date correction to existing law. The bill primarily affects Alaska Native artisans and sellers of traditional handicrafts, federal agencies (State and Interior Departments, Fish and Wildlife Service), and Alaska Native co-management bodies. It aims to reduce legal uncertainty for those producing or selling handicrafts that include parts from migratory bird species covered by the treaty, while preserving conservation protections and allowing species to be removed from coverage if their populations decline. The bill passed the House on September 14, 2026, by voice vote after being amended, and now goes to the Senate for consideration. No further action has yet occurred there.
- Has H.R. 6021 become law?
- Not yet. As of 14 Sep 2026, H.R. 6021 is passed house (senate next).
- Who sponsored H.R. 6021?
- H.R. 6021 was sponsored by Rep. Nicholas Begich III [R-AK] (Republican-AK), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 6021?
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (14 Sep 2026).
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