119-S-612 Journalist Public Summary
S. 612 would expand the NATIVE Act by letting several federal agencies award grants to Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations to grow Native-led tourism, with $35 million authorized for FY2025–FY2029; it passed the Senate by unanimous consent on December 16, 2025 and now heads to the House for consideration.
Public Summary – 119-S-612 (S. 612)
Headline Summary: A bipartisan bill to fund grants that support Native-led tourism and visitor experiences, authorizing $35 million over five years and widening which federal agencies can award those grants.
What It Does: S. 612 amends the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience (NATIVE) Act so that the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations, and other federal departments (like Commerce, Transportation, Agriculture, Health and Human Services, and Labor) can give grants directly to Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations. The goal is to strengthen cultural tourism, create jobs, and improve visitor services in Native communities. It authorizes (but does not itself spend) $35 million total for fiscal years 2025 through 2029.
- Who’s For It: Senators in both parties— the Senate passed it without objection on December 16, 2025, signaling broad support.
- Supporters’ main reasons: help Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations grow local economies through tourism; support cultural preservation and interpretation; and improve visitor infrastructure and experiences in Native communities.
- Committee backing: The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs advanced it without amendment earlier in 2025.
- Who’s Against It: No formal Senate opposition was recorded (it passed by unanimous consent).
- Common concerns raised about similar bills: whether new grant programs duplicate existing efforts; how funds will be distributed among communities; and oversight to ensure money reaches intended projects and delivers measurable results.
What’s Next: After clearing the Senate on December 16, 2025, the bill goes to the House of Representatives. If the House passes it and any differences are resolved, it would go to the President. Because the bill authorizes funding, Congress would still need to approve actual appropriations in future spending bills before grant money flows.
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