S. 612 · Where this bill is now
In the House
Passed the Senate Dec 16, 2025. Received Dec 17, 2025; no House vote yet
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryGrants for tribal tourism development
This bill authorizes federal grants for Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations to develop and promote recreational travel and tourism activities. The Bureau of Indian Affairs would distribute grants to tribes and tribal organizations, while the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations would handle grants to Native Hawaiian organizations. Other federal agencies could also provide grants and enter agreements with these groups for tourism-related work.
How it affects you
If you're a member of an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or Native Hawaiian organization, your group could access federal funding to develop tourism and recreational opportunities in your communities. For visitors and tourists, this funding could lead to more developed or promoted recreational experiences on tribal and Native Hawaiian lands.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Feb 18, 2025)
This bill authorizes grants to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations for activities related to recreational travel and tourism.
Specifically, the bill authorizes (1) the Bureau of Indian Affairs to make these grants to and enter into agreements with Indian tribes and tribal organizations; (2) the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations to make these grants to and enter into agreements with Native Hawaiian organizations; and (3) other federal agencies to make these grants to and enter into agreements with tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations.
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. 612
AN ACT
A bill to amend the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act to authorize grants to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) · Introduced Feb 18, 2025 · Native Americans · 3 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Dec 17, 2025: “Held at the desk.”
Sections
The wording of this bill hasn’t changed across its 3 official versions.