[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 137 (Monday, September 12, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H5289-H5292]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      NATIVE AMERICAN TOURISM AND IMPROVING VISITOR EXPERIENCE ACT

  Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the

[[Page H5290]]

bill (S. 1579) to enhance and integrate Native American tourism, 
empower Native American communities, increase coordination and 
collaboration between Federal tourism assets, and expand heritage and 
cultural tourism opportunities in the United States.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                S. 1579

       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 American Tourism and 
     Improving Visitor Experience Act'' or the ``NATIVE Act''.

     SEC. 2. PURPOSES.

       The purposes of this Act are--
       (1) to enhance and integrate Native American tourism--
       (A) to empower Native American communities; and
       (B) to advance the National Travel and Tourism Strategy;
       (2) to increase coordination and collaboration between 
     Federal tourism assets to support Native American tourism and 
     bolster recreational travel and tourism;
       (3) to expand heritage and cultural tourism opportunities 
     in the United States to spur economic development, create 
     jobs, and increase tourism revenues;
       (4) to enhance and improve self-determination and self-
     governance capabilities in the Native American community and 
     to promote greater self-sufficiency;
       (5) to encourage Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and 
     Native Hawaiian organizations to engage more fully in Native 
     American tourism activities to increase visitation to rural 
     and remote areas in the United States that are too difficult 
     to access or are unknown to domestic travelers and 
     international tourists;
       (6) to provide grants, loans, and technical assistance to 
     Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian 
     organizations that will--
       (A) spur important infrastructure development;
       (B) increase tourism capacity; and
       (C) elevate living standards in Native American 
     communities; and
       (7) to support the development of technologically 
     innovative projects that will incorporate recreational travel 
     and tourism information and data from Federal assets to 
     improve the visitor experience.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Agency.--The term ``agency'' has the meaning given the 
     term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code.
       (2) 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. 450b).
       (3) Native hawaiian organization.--The term ``Native 
     Hawaiian organization'' means a nonprofit organization--
       (A) that serves the interests of Native Hawaiians;
       (B) in which Native Hawaiians serve in substantive and 
     policymaking positions; and
       (C) that is recognized for having expertise in Native 
     Hawaiian culture and heritage, including tourism.
       (4) Tribal organization.--The term ``tribal organization'' 
     has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian 
     Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
     450b).

     SEC. 4. INTEGRATING FEDERAL TOURISM ASSETS TO STRENGTHEN 
                   NATIVE TOURISM OPPORTUNITIES.

       (a) Secretary of Commerce and Secretary of the Interior.--
     The Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the Interior 
     shall update the respective management plans and tourism 
     initiatives of the Department of Commerce and the Department 
     of the Interior to include Indian tribes, tribal 
     organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations.
       (b) Other Agencies.--The head of each agency that has 
     recreational travel or tourism functions or complementary 
     programs shall update the respective management plans and 
     tourism strategies of the agency to include Indian tribes, 
     tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations.
       (c) Native American Tourism Plans.--
       (1) In general.--The plans shall outline policy proposals--
       (A) to improve travel and tourism data collection and 
     analysis;
       (B) to increase the integration, alignment, and utility of 
     public records, publications, and Web sites maintained by 
     Federal agencies;
       (C) to create a better user experience for domestic 
     travelers and international visitors;
       (D) to align Federal agency Web sites and publications;
       (E) to support national tourism goals;
       (F) to identify agency programs that could be used to 
     support tourism capacity building and help sustain tourism 
     infrastructure in Native American communities;
       (G) to develop innovative visitor portals for parks, 
     landmarks, heritage and cultural sites, and assets that 
     showcase and respect the diversity of the indigenous peoples 
     of the United States;
       (H) to share local Native American heritage through the 
     development of bilingual interpretive and directional signage 
     that could include or incorporate English and the local 
     Native American language or languages; and
       (I) to improve access to transportation programs related to 
     Native American community capacity building for tourism and 
     trade, including transportation planning for programs related 
     to visitor enhancement and safety.
       (2) Consultation with indian tribes and native americans.--
     In developing the plan under paragraph (1), the head of each 
     agency shall consult with Indian tribes and the Native 
     American community to identify appropriate levels of 
     inclusion of the Indian tribes and Native Americans in 
     Federal tourism activities, public records and publications, 
     including Native American tourism information available on 
     Web sites.
       (d) Technical Assistance.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of the Interior, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, shall enter into 
     a memorandum of understanding or cooperative agreement with 
     an entity or organization with a demonstrated record in 
     tribal communities of defining, introducing, developing, and 
     sustaining American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native 
     Hawaiian tourism and related activities in a manner that 
     respects and honors native traditions and values.
       (2) Coordination.--The memorandum of understanding or 
     cooperative agreement described in paragraph (1) shall 
     formalize a role for the organization or entity to serve as a 
     facilitator between the Secretary of the Interior and the 
     Secretary of Commerce and the Indian tribes, tribal 
     organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations--
       (A) to identify areas where technical assistance is needed 
     through consultations with Indian tribes, tribal 
     organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations to empower 
     the Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian 
     organizations to participate fully in the tourism industry; 
     and
       (B) to provide a means for the delivery of technical 
     assistance and coordinate the delivery of the assistance to 
     Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian 
     organizations in collaboration with the Secretary of the 
     Interior, the Secretary of Commerce, and other entities with 
     distinctive experience, as appropriate.
       (3) Funding.--Subject to the availability of 
     appropriations, the head of each Federal agency, including 
     the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Commerce, the 
     Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of Agriculture, 
     the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary 
     of Labor shall obligate any funds made available to the head 
     of the agency to cover any administrative expenses incurred 
     by the organization or entity described in paragraph (1) in 
     carrying out programs or activities of the agency.
       (4) Metrics.--The Secretary of the Interior and the 
     Secretary of Commerce shall coordinate with the organization 
     or entity described in paragraph (1) to develop metrics to 
     measure the effectiveness of the entity or organization in 
     strengthening tourism opportunities for Indian tribes, tribal 
     organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations.
       (e) Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, and occasionally thereafter, the 
     Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce shall 
     each submit to the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate 
     and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of 
     Representatives a report that describes--
       (1) the manner in which the Secretary of the Interior or 
     the Secretary of Commerce, as applicable, is including Indian 
     tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian 
     organizations in management plans;
       (2) the efforts of the Secretary of the Interior or the 
     Secretary of Commerce, as applicable, to develop departmental 
     and agency tourism plans to support tourism programs of 
     Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian 
     organizations;
       (3) the manner in which the entity or organization 
     described in subsection (d)(1) is working to promote tourism 
     to empower Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native 
     Hawaiian organizations to participate fully in the tourism 
     industry; and
       (4) the effectiveness of the entity or organization 
     described in subsection (d)(1) based on the metrics developed 
     under subsection (d)(4).

     SEC. 5. NATIVE AMERICAN TOURISM AND BRANDING ENHANCEMENT.

       (a) In General.--The head of each agency shall--
       (1) take actions that help empower Indian tribes, tribal 
     organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations to showcase 
     the heritage, foods, traditions, history, and continuing 
     vitality of Native American communities;
       (2) support the efforts of Indian tribes, tribal 
     organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations--
       (A) to identify and enhance or maintain traditions and 
     cultural features that are important to sustain the 
     distinctiveness of the local Native American community; and
       (B) to provide visitor experiences that are authentic and 
     respectful;
       (3) provide assistance to interpret the connections between 
     the indigenous peoples of the United States and the national 
     identity of the United States;
       (4) enhance efforts to promote understanding and respect 
     for diverse cultures and

[[Page H5291]]

     subcultures in the United States and the relevance of those 
     cultures to the national brand of the United States; and
       (5) enter into appropriate memoranda of understanding and 
     establish public-private partnerships to ensure that arriving 
     domestic travelers at airports and arriving international 
     visitors at ports of entry are welcomed in a manner that both 
     showcases and respects the diversity of Native American 
     communities.
       (b) Grants.--To the extent practicable, grant programs 
     relating to travel, recreation, or tourism administered by 
     the Commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans, 
     Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, Chairman of 
     the National Endowment for the Humanities, or the head of an 
     agency with assets or resources relating to travel, 
     recreation, or tourism promotion or branding enhancement for 
     which Indian tribes, tribal organizations, or Native Hawaiian 
     organizations are eligible may be used--
       (1) to support the efforts of Indian tribes, tribal 
     organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations to tell the 
     story of Native Americans as the First Peoples of the United 
     States;
       (2) to use the arts and humanities to help revitalize 
     Native communities, promote economic development, increase 
     livability, and present the uniqueness of the United States 
     to visitors in a way that celebrates the diversity of the 
     United States; and
       (3) to carry out this section.
       (c) Smithsonian.--The Advisory Council and the Board of 
     Regents of the Smithsonian Institution shall work with Indian 
     tribes, tribal organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations, 
     and nonprofit organizations to establish long-term 
     partnerships with non-Smithsonian museums and educational and 
     cultural organizations--
       (1) to share collections, exhibitions, interpretive 
     materials, and educational strategies; and
       (2) to conduct joint research and collaborative projects 
     that would support tourism efforts for Indian tribes, tribal 
     organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations and carry 
     out the intent of this section.

     SEC. 6. EFFECT.

       Nothing in this Act alters, or demonstrates congressional 
     support for the alteration of, the legal relationship between 
     the United States and any American Indian, Alaska Native, or 
     Native Hawaiian individual, group, organization, or entity.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
American Samoa (Mrs. Radewagen) and the gentleman from the Northern 
Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from American Samoa.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from American Samoa?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. RADEWAGEN. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1579, the Native American 
Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act, commonly known as the 
NATIVE Act. This bill would require Federal agencies with recreational 
travel and tourism functions to include Indian tribes and tribal 
organization in management plans. Furthermore, the bill requires the 
Department of Commerce and the Department of the Interior to report on 
how each Department is including tribes to develop Native American 
tourism plans to improve travel and tourism data collection.
  The U.S. Travel Association estimates that the tourism industry in 
the United States topped $220 billion in 2014. According to the 
American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association, there is growing 
interest in Indian Country as a tourist attraction.
  This bill would help strengthen coordination and collaboration 
between Federal agencies where tourism programs currently exist without 
requiring any new appropriations. By removing any silo systems within 
government, tribes can seek to seize economic opportunities.
  S. 1579 is the companion bill to H.R. 3477, sponsored by the 
gentleman from Oklahoma, Congressman Markwayne Mullin. I want to thank 
him for his hard work on this legislation.
  I include in the Record an exchange of letters between the chairman 
of Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on House 
Administration regarding this bill, and we thank them for agreeing to 
help expedite consideration of this bill today.

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Natural Resources,

                                  Washington, DC, August 24, 2016.
     Hon. Candice Miller,
     Chairman, Committee on House Administration, Washington, DC.
       Dear Madam Chairman: On July 13, 2016, the Committee on 
     Natural Resources favorably reported S. 1579, Native American 
     Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act, by unanimous 
     consent. This bill was referred primarily to the Committee on 
     Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on House 
     Administration and Energy and Commerce. My staff has 
     forwarded the reported text to your committee for review.
       Based on this text, I ask that you allow the Committee on 
     House Administration to be discharged from further 
     consideration of the bill so that it may be scheduled by the 
     Majority Leader. This discharge in no way affects your 
     jurisdiction over the subject matter of the bill, and it will 
     not serve as precedent for future referrals. In addition, 
     should a conference on the bill be necessary, I would support 
     your request to have the Committee on House Administration be 
     represented on the conference committee. Finally, I would be 
     pleased to include this letter and any response in the bill 
     report filed by the Committee on Natural Resources to 
     memorialize our understanding, as well as in the 
     Congressional Record.
       Thank you for your consideration of my request, and I look 
     forward to further opportunities to work with you this 
     Congress.
           Sincerely,
                                                       Rob Bishop,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                            Committee on House Administration,

                                  Washington, DC, August 24, 2016.
     Hon. Rob Bishop,
     Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding S. 
     1579. As you know, the bill was received in the House of 
     Representatives on June 15, 2015, and referred primarily to 
     the Committee on Natural Resources and in addition to the 
     Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on House 
     Administration. The bill seeks to enhance and integrate 
     Native American tourism, empower Native American communities, 
     increase coordination and collaboration between Federal 
     tourism assets, and expand heritage and cultural tourism 
     opportunities in the United States. On July 13, 2016, your 
     Committee ordered S. 1579 to be reported by unanimous 
     consent.
       The Committee on House Administration agrees to discharge 
     from further consideration of S. 1579 to expedite floor 
     consideration. It is the understanding of the Committee on 
     House Administration that forgoing action on S. 1579 will not 
     prejudice the Committee with respect to appointment of 
     conferees or any future jurisdictional claim. I request that 
     your letter and this response be included in the bill report 
     filed by your Committee, as well as in the Congressional 
     Record.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Candice Miller,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Natural Resources,

                                Washington, DC, September 6, 2016.
     Hon. Fred Upton,
     Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: On July 13, 2016, the Committee on 
     Natural Resources favorably reported S. 1579, Native American 
     Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act, by unanimous 
     consent. This bill was referred primarily to the Committee on 
     Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on 
     Energy and Commerce and House Administration. My staff has 
     forwarded the reported text to your committee for review.
       Based on this text, I ask that you allow the Committee on 
     Energy and Commerce to be discharged from further 
     consideration of the bill so that it may be scheduled by the 
     Majority Leader. This discharge in no way affects your 
     jurisdiction over the subject matter of the bill, and it will 
     not serve as precedent for future referrals. In addition, 
     should a conference on the bill be necessary, I would support 
     your request to have the Committee on Energy and Commerce be 
     represented on the conference committee. Finally, I would be 
     pleased to include this letter and any response in the bill 
     report filed by the Committee on Natural Resources to 
     memorialize our understanding, as well as in the 
     Congressional Record.
       Thank you for your consideration of my request, and I look 
     forward to further opportunities to work with you this 
     Congress.
           Sincerely,
                                                       Rob Bishop,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                             Committee on Energy and Commerce,

                                Washington, DC, September 6, 2016.
     Hon. Rob Bishop,
     Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Bishop: I write in regard to S. 1579, NATIVE 
     Act, which was recently ordered to be reported by the 
     Committee on

[[Page H5292]]

     Natural Resources. As you are aware, the bill also was 
     referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. I wanted to 
     notify you that the Committee on Energy and Commerce will 
     forgo action on S. 1579 so that it may proceed expeditiously 
     to the House floor for consideration.
       This is done with the understanding that the Committee on 
     Energy and Commerce's jurisdictional interests over this and 
     similar legislation are in no way diminished or altered.
       I would appreciate your response confirming this 
     understanding with respect to S. 1579 and ask that a copy of 
     our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the 
     Congressional Record during consideration of the bill on the 
     House floor.
           Sincerely,
                                                       Fred Upton,
                                                         Chairman.

  Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of S. 1579, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Like many other communities around the country, tribes and tribal 
organizations are looking for ways to attract the business of overseas 
tourists; and there is a significant opportunity for tribes and Native 
people to share and reinforce their cultures, generate income, create 
jobs, and improve their quality of life through increased tourism.
  According to the Department of Commerce, as my colleague alluded to 
earlier, tourism was almost a quarter-of-a-trillion-dollar industry in 
2014, with almost 34 million overseas travelers visiting the United 
States. And overseas travelers to the United States who visit national 
parks or tribal lands tend to stay longer in the United States, visit 
more destinations within the country, and are more likely to be repeat 
visitors.
  However, there are currently no tourism initiatives at the Federal 
level that include tribes and tribal organizations. The NATIVE Act 
would remedy that situation by encouraging Federal programs that 
support tourism and tourism infrastructure to engage with our Native 
American communities. This will increase tribal opportunity to showcase 
the rich and diverse history of the indigenous peoples of the United 
States.
  I commend Senator Schatz of Hawaii for this legislation. I ask my 
colleagues to support S. 1579.
  Having no further speakers, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support S. 1579, the Native 
American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience (NATIVE) Act. This 
bill will advance Indian Country tourism by requiring federal agencies 
with recreational travel and tourism functions to include Indian tribes 
and tribal organizations in updated management plans and develop Native 
American tourism.
  Anecdotally, we know the foreign tourists have a keen interest in our 
Indian history and culture. This bill will enable the collection of 
vital travel and tourism data and analysis and, importantly, increase 
integration of federal assets to Indian Country so they can advance 
their economic development goals and tribal sovereignty.
  Indian Country is a mosaic with vibrant cultures and a rich 
assortment of languages and traditions. By promoting this vast array of 
authentic Native tourism assets, the United States can increase its 
ability to compete for international visitors seeking a uniquely 
American experience while ensuring that diverse Native communities 
contribute to, and benefit from, the economic benefits that travel 
affords.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from American Samoa (Mrs. Radewagen) that the House suspend 
the rules and pass the bill, S. 1579.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________