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H.R. 3846: Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2019

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H.R. 3846: Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2019

116th Congress · introduced 2019-07-18 · Native Americans · Latest: Subcommittee Hearings Held.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2019-07-18 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Lujan, Ben Ray [D-NM-3] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Subcommittee Hearings Held. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2019

Plain summary

Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2019 This bill prohibits the exportation of Native American cultural items, archaeological resources, and objects of antiquity that were illegally obtained; provides for the return of such items, including voluntary returns; and establishes and revises related criminal penalties. The bill 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 or cultural items. Additionally, Interior must refer individuals and organizations to Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations to facilitate the voluntary return of human remains or cultural items; convene an interagency working group; and convene a tribal 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 or cultural items. The bill also increases from 5 years to 10 years the maximum prison term for an individual convicted of selling, purchasing, using for profit, or transporting for sale or profit human remains or cultural items that were illegally obtained.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2019

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Lujan, Ben Ray [D-NM-3] · 26 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Tom Cole (R-OK), Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-AS), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Ed Case (D-HI), Angie Craig (D-MN), Brian J. Mast (R-FL), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Joe Neguse (D-CO), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), André Carson (D-IN), Susie Lee (D-NV), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Chellie Pingree (D-ME)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Lujan, Ben Ray [D-NM-3] reported raising $6.5 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (1)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong116-hr3846 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong116 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong116