Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act

Floor Speech

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

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Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of S. 1579, and I reserve the balance of my time.
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