Sponsors (2)
Want my take on what this bill would do?
This is not an official government website.
Copyright © 2026 PLEJ LC. All rights reserved.
Amends the second sentence of 22 U.S.C. 2421(a) by striking the phrase "and environment" and inserting the phrase "Cultural Trade Promotion Act."
Strikes the phrase "small businesses and medium-sized businesses" from subsection (b) (the statement of purpose) of 15 U.S.C. 4721. The amendment text indicates an insertion but the inserted text is not provided in this section.
Modifies subsection (c) of 15 U.S.C. 4727 by adjusting punctuation in paragraphs (6) and (7) and by adding a new paragraph (8) requiring the TPCC strategic plan to consider how to promote exports of goods and services from creative industries and occupations (as defined in section 2 of the [Act]).
Makes multiple insertions referenced generically (text of the insertions not provided in this section) and, explicitly in subsection (e), strikes the phrase "hand made or hand crafted" and inserts the word "made" in the statutory limitation on assistance. The amendment headings indicate insertion at multiple places but do not supply the exact inserted text within this section.
Expands U.S. export-promotion and trade coordination to include creative industries and cultural creators, requires federal trade planning to consider creative exports, and adds a permanent creative‑industries seat on the Travel and Tourism Advisory Board. It also directs Commerce and the Postmaster General to coordinate on improving fast, reliable international shipping access for microenterprises and small businesses and updates an existing foreign assistance reference to insert the "Cultural Trade Promotion Act."
Defines the term “creative industry or occupation” as a term used in this Act. The term covers either an industry or an occupation that meets the criteria in subparagraphs (A) or (B).
(A)(i) For an industry: the industry must have a substantial current or potential impact on a State, regional, or local economy or on a Native American community's economy. This includes impact through positions that lead to economic self-sufficiency and opportunities for advancement.
(A)(ii) For an industry: the industry must contribute to growth of businesses, nonprofit organizations, or self-employment opportunities that originate in individual creativity, skill, and talent; examples listed include design, crafts, music, visual and media arts, performing arts, language, literature, and expressions of Native cultures or regional or local heritage culture.
(B)(i) For an occupation: the occupation must currently have or be projected to have enough positions in an industry sector so as to have a substantial potential impact on a State, regional, or local economy or on a Native American community's economy. This includes positions that lead to economic self-sufficiency and opportunities for advancement.
(B)(ii)(I) For an occupation: the occupation may be comprised of businesses or nonprofit organizations like those listed in subparagraph (A)(ii) (businesses/organizations whose origin is individual creativity, skill, and talent).
Who is affected and how:
Creative industry workers and businesses: They are directly targeted—defined by the law and added to federal export-promotion planning and representation. This can increase federal attention, tailored export services, and representation in tourism/trade advisory work.
Microenterprises and small businesses selling internationally: The required Commerce–Postal Service coordination aims to improve access to fast, reliable cross-border shipping options. Improved coordination could lower barriers and friction for small online sellers, reduce delivery times, or expand shipping options, though specific operational changes would come from follow-on actions.
Native Hawaiian and Native American cultural creators and businesses: The Act updates statutory language and definitions that affect how federal export programs treat Native Hawaiian arts and clarifies the term "Native American" for cultural purposes. This may improve eligibility or visibility in targeted export-promotion efforts.
Federal agencies and advisory bodies: The Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee and Department of Commerce trade offices will need to include creative sectors in planning and coordination documents. The Travel and Tourism Advisory Board will add a permanent seat representing creative industries, altering membership composition and stakeholder input.
Likely costs and burdens: The bill largely imposes planning, consultation, and appointment requirements. Those actions typically carry modest administrative costs within agencies but do not create explicit new funding or large regulatory compliance burdens for nonfederal entities. Any concrete programs, grants, or shipping subsidies would require separate implementation actions or appropriations.
Potential benefits and risks: Benefits include greater federal focus on cultural and creative exporters, potential improvements in small‑seller shipping access, and more inclusive advisory representation. Risks are limited; implementing agencies must follow through on planning and coordination for intended outcomes to materialize. The law does not guarantee funding or specific program outcomes, so measured impact depends on agency follow-up.
Expand sections to see detailed analysis
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
Introduced March 25, 2025 by Brian Emanuel Schatz · Last progress March 25, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
Introduced in Senate