S. 254 · Where this bill is now
Became law
Public Law 119-99, Jun 12, 2026
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryProtects Alaska Native marine mammal product sales
This act stops states from banning the buying, selling, or trading of marine mammal ivory, bone, and baleen that Alaska Natives produce as traditional handicrafts and clothing. It allows these products to move between states and to be brought into states even where they might otherwise be prohibited.
How it affects you
If you're an Alaska Native who makes or sells traditional products from marine mammals, this protects your ability to sell those items across state lines. For people in other states, it means you may be able to purchase Alaska Native marine mammal handicrafts and clothing even in states that have their own bans on such products.
Read the official summary (Public Law, Jun 12, 2026)
Alaska’s Right to Ivory Sales and Tradition Act or the ARTIST Act
This act prohibits states from imposing bans on marine mammal products produced by Alaska Natives.
Specifically, states may not prohibit the interstate commerce, 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.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 254
AN ACT
ARTIST Act
Sponsor: Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) · Introduced Jan 24, 2025 · Native Americans · 4 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jun 12, 2026: “Became Public Law No: 119-99.”
How Congress voted
Official roll callsHouse · On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass · Jun 3, 2026
Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass Passed 404–14
| Party | Yes | No | Didn’t vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 207 | 0 | 5 |
| Independents | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Republicans | 196 | 14 | 7 |
14 members voted against most of their party: 14 Republicans voted No.
Congress votes on whole bills and amendments, not on single sections.