H.R. 6647House115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

To amend the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act to move the enforcement office to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, to increase the civil monetary penalties for failure to follow the processes established by that Act, and for other purposes.

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 11:20 PM UTC

This bill changes the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) by moving the agency that enforces the law to the Bureau of Indian Affairs and by raising the fines museums could face for not following NAGPRA’s procedures. The changes affect museums, tribal groups, and the federal offices that oversee repatriation of Native American remains and cultural items.

Key Provisions

Increases civil penalties for violations to at least 1 % of a museum’s annual budget or $25,000, whichever is higher, and allows the Secretary to add more fines based on regulations.
Places the NAGPRA enforcement office under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Indian Affairs within the Department of the Interior.
Updates the statutory language to reflect the new jurisdiction and enforcement structure.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs.

Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee

August 17, 2018

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

July 31, 2018

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Natural Resources Committee

July 31, 2018

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs.

Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee

August 17, 2018

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued July 31, 2018

115th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 6647

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 31, 2018

Mr. Rokita (for himself, Mr. Cole, Ms. McCollum, Ms. Moore, and Mr. Young of Alaska) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

A BILL

To amend the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act to move the enforcement office to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, to increase the civil monetary penalties for failure to follow the processes established by that Act, and for other purposes.

Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act amendments

(a)

Civil penalties

Section 9 of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. 3007 et seq.) is amended by striking determined under regulations promulgated pursuant to this Act, taking into account, in addition to other factors and inserting 1 percent of the museum’s annual budget, or $25,000, whichever is greater, and such additional sums as the Secretary may determine under regulations promulgated pursuant to this Act, taking into account other factors, including—.

(b)

Enforcement Office

Section 15 of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.) is amended as follows:

(1)

By striking The United States and inserting the following:

(a)

Court of jurisdiction

The United States

(2)

By adding at the end the following:

(b)

Office of Enforcement

The office for enforcement and other activities carried out by the Secretary under this Act shall be under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the Department of the Interior.