Bill Summary
The "Native Arts and Culture Promotion Act" seeks to amend the existing American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Culture and Art Development Act. The primary changes include the removal of the term "private" from the governing board's composition and the requirement that the board for grants related to Native Hawaiian art and culture must consist of Native Hawaiians and recognized experts in that field, serving fixed terms. Additionally, the amendments streamline some of the language and structure within the governing provisions, aiming to enhance governance and support for Native arts and culture initiatives.
Possible Impacts
The "Native Arts and Culture Promotion Act," as outlined in the provided legislation, could affect people in several ways:
1. **Increased Representation in Governance**: By mandating that the governing board for grants related to Native Hawaiian art and culture includes Native Hawaiians and recognized experts in the field, this legislation ensures that the voices and perspectives of Native Hawaiians are prioritized. This could lead to more culturally relevant and authentic representation in arts programming and funding decisions, fostering a greater sense of ownership and empowerment within the community.
2. **Enhanced Funding Opportunities for Cultural Projects**: The amendments could lead to an increase in available grants specifically aimed at supporting Native Hawaiian art and culture. This could benefit artists, cultural practitioners, and organizations by providing them with the financial resources necessary to create, preserve, and promote their cultural heritage. Such funding could also stimulate local economies by supporting jobs tied to cultural tourism and arts-related activities.
3. **Stability and Accountability in Leadership**: The requirement for board members to serve fixed terms may contribute to greater stability and accountability in the governance of cultural grant programs. By establishing clear terms, the legislation may help prevent stagnation in leadership and encourage a diverse range of voices and ideas over time. This could enhance the effectiveness of programs aimed at promoting Native Hawaiian culture and arts, ensuring that they adapt and respond to the evolving needs of the community.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6285 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6285
To amend the American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian
Culture and Art Development Act.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
November 21, 2025
Ms. Tokuda (for herself and Mr. Case) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian
Culture and Art Development Act.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Native Arts and Culture Promotion
Act''.
SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS TO AMERICAN INDIAN, ALASKA NATIVE, AND NATIVE
HAWAIIAN CULTURE AND ART DEVELOPMENT ACT.
Section 1521 of the American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native
Hawaiian Culture and Art Development Act (20 U.S.C. 4441) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``private,''; and
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
``(2) For any grants made with respect to Native Hawaiian
art and culture, the members of the governing board which is
required to be established under paragraph (1) shall--
``(A) include Native Hawaiians and individuals
widely recognized in the field of Native Hawaiian art
and culture, and
``(B) serve for a fixed term.''; and
(B) in paragraph (3)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), striking the comma
at the end and inserting ``, and'';
(ii) by striking subparagraph (B); and
(iii) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as
subparagraph (B).
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