I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 6415 
To assist Indian Tribes in protecting Native American seeds. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 3, 2025 
Mrs. TORRES of California (for herself and Mr. LAMALFA) introduced the fol-
lowing bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in 
addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be sub-
sequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of 
such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To assist Indian Tribes in protecting Native American seeds. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as ‘‘Native American Seeds 
Act of 2025’’. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Indian Tribe’’ 
has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the 
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Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). 
(2) NATIVE AMERICAN SEED.—The term ‘‘Na-
tive 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. 
(4) TRIBAL ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘‘Tribal 
organization’’ has the meaning given the term in 
section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Edu-
cation Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). 
SEC. 3. PROTECTION OF NATIVE AMERICAN SEEDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall work 
with Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations to— 
(1) determine which seeds are Native American 
seeds; and 
(2) support— 
(A) efforts of Indian Tribes to protect Na-
tive American seeds; 
(B) Native American seed banks and re-
lated facilities; and 
(C) traditional agriculture systems of In-
dian Tribes that provide for the nurturing and 
harvesting of Native American seeds. 
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(b) 
PROTECTION
OF
INFORMATION.—Notwith-
standing 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. 
SEC. 4. JUDICIAL REVIEW. 
Notwithstanding section 706 of title 5, United States 
Code, a court shall defer to the Secretary’s reasonable in-
terpretation of any ambiguous provision of this Act. 
SEC. 5. NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS AUTHORIZED. 
No additional funds are authorized to carry out the 
requirements of section 3, and the activities authorized by 
section 3 are subject to the availability of appropriations 
made in advance for such purposes. 
Æ 
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