Bill · S. 3358· Senate(119-S-3358)
Native American Seeds Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 12/4/2025
- Last activity
- 12/4/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Martin Heinrich
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 4
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Native American Seeds Act of 2025 aims to assist Indian Tribes in the protection of Native American seeds. The Secretary of the Interior is tasked with working alongside Indian Tribes to identify these seeds within one year of the Act's enactment. This includes supporting seed banks, related facilities, and traditional agriculture systems used for nurturing and harvesting. The bill also includes specific provisions to protect sensitive information provided by tribes. Finally, it notes that no additional funds are authorized for these activities.
Yes· 3 of 6
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+6
The bill provides framework for protecting culturally significant seeds and traditional agricultural systems for Indian Tribes.
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?+5
The bill supports the preservation of cultural heritage and traditional agriculture systems for Indian Tribes.
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?+5
The bill prohibits the Secretary from disclosing information identified by tribes as culturally sensitive or proprietary.
The opposite
Does this give the federal government more power?-2
The bill includes a provision requiring courts to defer to the Secretary's interpretation of the Act.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Support for Traditional Agriculture: Under Section 3(a)(2), the Secretary is directed to support the traditional agriculture systems of Indian Tribes that provide for the nurturing and harvesting of Native American seeds. This could help preserve cultural practices and food systems.
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Establishment of Seed Banks: Section 3(a)(2)(B) directs support for Native American seed banks and related facilities. This provides a mechanism for the preservation of seeds that have traditional or cultural significance to Indian Tribes.
-
Protection of Sensitive Information: Section 3(b) ensures that the Secretary shall not disclose information provided by an Indian Tribe if the tribe identifies it as culturally sensitive, proprietary, or otherwise confidential. This protects the privacy and intellectual property of the tribes.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Funding Limitations: Section 3(c) states that no additional funds are authorized to be appropriated for these activities. This means the work is subject to the availability of existing appropriations, which may limit the actual help provided.
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Judicial Deference to the Secretary: Section 4 states that a court shall defer to the reasonable interpretation of the Secretary regarding any ambiguous provisions of the Act. This limits the ability of others to challenge the Secretary's decisions in court.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Native Americans+6Good For Rural Residents+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+4Improves Rural Development+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Privacy Rights+5Increases Federal Power-2
- 6/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/8/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/4/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
- Alan Armstrong
Republican · Oklahoma
Mike CrapoRepublican · Idaho
Ruben GallegoDemocrat · Arizona
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico
Markwayne MullinRepublican · Oklahoma
James RischRepublican · Idaho