H.R. 2930Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2021

1 recorded action234 of these members are on the 2026 ballotWhat the measure does Read on Congress.gov

Sponsor: Teresa Leger Fernandez [D-NM-03]
Cosponsors: 24 · 18 Democrats · 6 Republicans
Policy area: Native Americans
Committees: Natural Resources Committee, Judiciary Committee · and 1 more
Latest action: Dec 21, 2022 · Became Public Law No: 117-258.

IntroducedApr 30, 2021
Passed the HouseDec 2, 2021
Passed the SenateNov 29, 2022
Sent to the PresidentDec 16, 2022
Became lawDec 21, 2022

What the measure doesCRS summary

Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2021

This act prohibits the exportation of Native American cultural items and archaeological resources that were illegally obtained; provides for the return of such items, including voluntary returns; and establishes and increases related criminal penalties.

Specifically, the act makes it a federal crime to export, attempt to export, or otherwise transport from the United States Native American cultural items and archaeological resources without obtaining an export certification. U.S. Customs and Border Protection must detain any item requiring an export certification that does not have one.

The act requires the Department of the Interior and the Department of State to each designate a liaison to facilitate and hold trainings and workshops on the voluntary return of human remains and cultural items.

Additionally, Interior must

refer individuals and organizations to Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to facilitate the voluntary return of human remains and cultural items;
convene an interagency working group; and
convene a Native working group consisting of representatives of Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to provide advice on issues concerning the return of, and illegal trade in, human remains and cultural items.

The act also increases the maximum criminal penalties for violating the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. In particular, the act increases from 5 years to 10 years the maximum prison term for an individual convicted of a second or subsequent violation of selling, purchasing, using for profit, or transporting for sale or profit human remains or cultural items that were illegally obtained.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, describing H.R. 2930 as public Law on Dec 21, 2022. It is not the text of the measure; a later amendment may have changed what it does.

How every member votedHouse roll call 401

House Dec 2, 2021

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2021

Passed · Two-thirds required

364 Yea 57 Nay 12 not voting

Crossed both parties 57 of 421 voting members broke with their own party: 2 Democrats, 55 Republicans.

Open the official roll call

How the chamber split

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DemocratsRepublicansFilled: YeaRing: NayGrey: not voting or present

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All members433 members

Democratic220 members

Republican213 members

marks half of the votes cast. A party’s majority is the side most of its voting members took.

Cosponsors24 · 18 Democrats · 6 Republicans

Signing on is not a vote: a member can cosponsor H.R. 2930 and vote against it. 7 signed when it was filed.

Who lobbied on H.R. 29301 organization

Organizations that named H.R. 2930 in a lobbying disclosure. Only those that cited the bill by number appear, so this is a floor, not a full list.

SOCIETY FOR AMERICAN ARCHAEOLOGY

Natural Resources · Education · Indian/Native American Affairs · Trade (domestic/foreign) +2 more3 filings · 4th Quarter (Oct 1 - Dec 31) 2021Filing

3 disclosures name this measure. Retrieved from LDA.gov on 2026-10-04. Senate Office of Public Records cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from LDA.gov.