Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Native American Seeds Act of 2025”.
Native American Seeds Act of 2025
A BILL
To assist Indian Tribes in protecting Native American seeds, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Definitions
In this Act:
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).
Native American seed— The term Native American seed means a seed of traditional or cultural significance to an Indian Tribe.
Secretary— The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.
Sec. 3 Protection of Native American seeds
In general— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall work with Indian Tribes—
to determine which seeds are Native American seeds; and
to support—
efforts of Indian Tribes to protect Native American seeds;
Native American seed banks and related facilities; and
traditional agriculture systems of Indian Tribes that provide for the nurturing and harvesting of Native American seeds.
Protection of information— Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall not disclose or cause to be disclosed any information that is—
provided to the Secretary by an Indian Tribe for the purposes of this Act; and
identified by the Indian Tribe as culturally sensitive, proprietary, or otherwise confidential.
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.
Sec. 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.