This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to work with federally recognized Indian Tribes within one year to identify and protect seeds that hold traditional or cultural significance to Native American communities. The legislation supports tribal efforts to preserve Native American seeds through assistance with seed banks, related facilities, and traditional agricultural systems. A key provision protects tribal information by prohibiting the Secretary from disclosing any culturally sensitive, proprietary, or confidential data that tribes provide under the Act. The bill contains no new federal funding authorization, meaning any work must be accomplished within existing departmental budgets. The Act gives courts broad deference to the Secretary's reasonable interpretation of its provisions, limiting legal challenges to the government's implementation.
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