Native American Seeds Act of 2025
S. 3358119th Congress

Native American Seeds Act of 2025

Introduced in the SenateSen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM)16 sections · 1 min read
Version: is · Apr 20, 2026

Section 1. Short title

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

Section 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.

(a) In general

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall work with Indian Tribes—

(1) to determine which seeds are Native American seeds; and

(2) to 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.

(c) No additional funds authorized

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

Section 4. Judicial review

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

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