US HB5694

Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to explicitly allow Alaska Natives (Indians, Aleuts, and Eskimos residing on Alaska's North Pacific or Arctic Ocean coasts) to take marine mammals for creating and selling authentic handicrafts and clothing, in addition to existing subsistence purposes

Defines "authentic Alaska Native article of handicrafts and clothing" as items made primarily of natural materials using traditional techniques (weaving, carving, stitching, beading, drawing, painting) without mass copying devices like pantographs

Authorizes interstate commerce of authentic Alaska Native handicrafts containing marine mammal ivory (from walrus, narwhal, or whale teeth/tusks), bone, or baleen

Prohibits states from banning the importation, sale, transfer, trade, barter, or possession of marine mammal ivory, bone, or baleen incorporated into authentic Alaska Native handicrafts

Requires the Secretary to demonstrate in writing, with publicly available documentation, that any regulations affecting Alaska Native marine mammal use are supported by substantial evidence including Indigenous knowledge