H.R. 6415

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6415 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6415

To assist Indian Tribes in protecting Native American seeds.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 3, 2025

Mrs. Torres of California (for herself and Mr. LaMalfa) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and 
in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To assist Indian Tribes in protecting Native American seeds.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as ``Native American Seeds Act of 2025''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the 
meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(2) Native american seed.--The term ``Native American 
seed'' means a seed of traditional or cultural significance to 
an Indian Tribe.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
of the Interior.
(4) Tribal organization.--The term ``Tribal organization'' 
has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).

SEC. 3. PROTECTION OF NATIVE AMERICAN SEEDS.

(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall work with Indian Tribes and 
Tribal organizations to--
(1) determine which seeds are Native American seeds; and
(2) support--
(A) efforts of Indian Tribes to protect Native 
American seeds;
(B) Native American seed banks and related 
facilities; and
(C) traditional agriculture systems of Indian 
Tribes that provide for the nurturing and harvesting of 
Native American seeds.
(b) Protection of Information.--Notwithstanding any other provision 
of law, the Secretary shall not disclose or cause to be disclosed any 
information that is--
(1) provided to the Secretary by an Indian Tribe for the 
purposes of this Act; and
(2) identified by the Indian Tribe as culturally sensitive, 
proprietary, or otherwise confidential.

SEC. 4. JUDICIAL REVIEW.

Notwithstanding section 706 of title 5, United States Code, a court 
shall defer to the Secretary's reasonable interpretation of any 
ambiguous provision of this Act.

SEC. 5. NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS AUTHORIZED.

No additional funds are authorized to carry out the requirements of 
section 3, and the activities authorized by section 3 are subject to 
the availability of appropriations made in advance for such purposes.
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