1024-AE19 202310 The Regulatory Plan and the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions 1024 National Park Service NPS 1000 Department of the Interior DOI Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act Regulations

This final rule revises the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) implementing regulations. The rule eliminates ambiguities, correct inaccuracies, simplifies excessively burdensome and complicated requirements, clarifies timelines, and removes offensive terminology in the existing regulations that have inhibited the respectful repatriation of most Native American human remains. This rule simplifies and improves the regulatory process for repatriation and thereby advances the goals of racial justice, equity, and inclusion. The Department sought Tribal government input through communication under Executive Order 13175 criteria and the Department’s consultation policy on meaningful communication and collaboration with tribal officials. The Department held Consultation sessions with federally recognized Indian Tribes and a listening session for present, former, and prospective petitioners.

]]> Other Significant Previously Published in The Unified Agenda Final Rule Stage No No 43 CFR 10 25 U.S.C. 3001 et seq. Yes

This rule will revise the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) implementing regulations. The rule will eliminate ambiguities, correct inaccuracies, simplify excessively burdensome and complicated requirements, clarify timelines, and remove offensive terminology in the existing regulations that have inhibited the respectful repatriation of most Native American human remains. This rule will simplify and improve the regulatory process for repatriation and thereby advance the goals of racial justice, equity, and inclusion.

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25 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.

]]> NPRM 10/18/2022 87 FR 63202 NPRM Comment Period Extended 01/10/2023 88 FR 1344 NPRM Comment Period Extended End 01/31/2023 Final Rule 12/00/2023 Since the passage of NAGPRA in 1990, it has been the policy of the United States that human remains of any ancestry must always be treated with dignity and respect. Yet in the last 30 years, less than half of the Native American human remains in collections have been repatriated to their traditional caretakers. The revisions to the existing regulatory requirements will respect the civil rights and sovereignty of Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiians to repatriate their ancestors and cultural items. The rule responds to regular and repeated requests for regulatory revisions and will reduce the regulatory burden on all parties by streamlining requirements in accessible language with clear timelines, removing ambiguity, and improving efficiency. The rule will likely have a positive net benefit, justifying any temporary cost increase. No Federal No No www.nps.gov/nagpra No No Melanie O'Brien National NAGPRA Program Manager 1024 National Park Service NPS 202 354-2204 melanie_o'brien@nps.gov National NAGPRA Program, 1849 C Street NW, Washington DC 20240