Senate unanimously passes bill updating Native tourism law

The U.S. Senate unanimously passed bipartisan legislation on Dec. 16 to update the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act, according to a press release from the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. The bill was authored by Sen. Brian Schatz, vice chairman of the committee, and updates the original NATIVE Act signed into law in 2016. The changes are intended to strengthen the program and make it easier for Native communities to access federal tourism resources.

According to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, the NATIVE Act requires federal agencies with tourism assets to include tribes and Native organizations in national tourism efforts and strategic planning. The law also provides American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities with access to technical assistance and resources to develop cultural and recreational tourism infrastructure, support economic development and create jobs. Schatz said the updates are aimed at helping Native communities share their own stories and expand economic opportunities.