ARTIST Act

S 5253, the ARTIST Act, amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act to create a specific exemption for Alaska Native artisans. It allows Alaska Native individuals residing on the North Pacific or Arctic coasts to take marine mammals (like walrus, narwhal, or whale) for subsistence or to create and sell "authentic Alaska Native articles of handicrafts and clothing" made with traditional methods using natural materials. The bill requires such items to meet a strict definition (no mass production, using natural materials) to be sold across state lines, and permits sale of edible portions within Alaska villages. It also gives the Secretary authority to regulate taking if species are depleted, requiring public notice, hearings, and substantial evidence for any restrictions.