IFAI’s policy and research team monitors the Federal Register for updates, notices, information, events, and more that are important or could impact Indian Country. The listings are broken down into three categories:
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Announcements
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Rule/Policy Updates
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Nominations
Annoucements| Rule/Policy Updates| Nominations
Announcements
These are Federal Register notices about upcoming Tribal Consultations, listening sessions, public meetings, and funding opportunities as well as policy updates.
Notice of Semiannual Regulatory Agenda for Fall of 2023
Agency: USDA Office of the Secretary
Action: Notice of Semiannual Regulatory Agenda
Why it matters: This semiannual agenda provides a summary of significant and non-significant regulations being developed in USDA. This provides an opportunity for Tribal Nations and organizations to monitor federal regulations that may impact Tribal food and agriculture.
Rule/Policy Updates
These are Federal Register notices about rules, regulations, and policy updates that have potential impacts to Tribal food and agriculture and provide opportunities for public comments or feedback.
SNAP: Program Purpose and Work Requirement Provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023
Agency: USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Action: Proposed Rule with Public Comments expected by May 30, 2024
Why it matters: USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service issued a proposed rule to align SNAP regulations with three provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. Some of the proposed regulations include: (1) assisting low-income adults in obtaining employment; (2) increasing the age-based exceptions to 55 years of age or older by October 1, 2024; and (3) adding to the existing list of exceptions individuals experiencing homelessness, veterans, and individuals who are 24 years of age or younger and in foster care on their 18th birthday. During the March 15, 2024, consultation, Tribal representatives provided minimal comments. Written comments for this proposed rule must be received by May 30, 2024.
Child Nutrition Programs; Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Agency: USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Action: Final Rule effective July 1, 2024
Why it matters: USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service has issued a final rule that aligns Child Nutrition Programs with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The rule will take effect on July 1, 2024, and incorporates feedback from stakeholders, including 200 comments on the proposal to add “traditional foods”’ to the regulations. USDA also sought feedback on which traditional foods USDA should incorporate in the Food Buying Guide. Some of the responses suggested adding wild game, including moose, reindeer, and caribou as well as plants such as kelp and Eskimo potatoes and fruits like salmonberries.
Submission for OMB Review on Salmonella Control Strategies Pilot Projects
Agency: USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
Action: Seeking Public Comments by May 29, 2024
Why it matters: USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is seeking comments on whether pilot project information shared with FSIS is necessary, accurate, and practical, and will support changes to FSIS’ existing Salmonella control strategies. Tribal governments are among the 40 expected respondents by May 29, 2024. FSIS is mandated to protect the public by verifying that poultry products are safe, wholesome, and properly labeled.
Submission for OMB Review on Importation of Animals and Poultry, Animal and Poultry Products, Certain Animal Embryos, Semen, and Zoological Animals
Agency: USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Action: Seeking Public Comments by May 28, 2024
Why it matters: USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will collect a variety of information from entities such as foreign animal health authorities, U.S. importers, and foreign exporters. APHIS sources of information will include agreements, permits, and declarations of importation to help ensure that imports do not introduce foreign animal diseases into the United States. Tribal governments are among the expected respondents by May 28, 2024. APHIS’ Veterinary Services (VS) unit’s responsibilities include preventing the introduction of foreign or certain other infectious animal diseases into the United States.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages
Agency: USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Action: Notification of Final Rule Effective June 17, 2024
Why it matters: The changes to the WIC food packages are intended to provide participants with a wider variety of foods that align with the latest nutritional guidance in the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Changes also provide WIC State agencies with greater flexibility to prescribe and tailor food packages that accommodate participants’ special dietary needs and personal and cultural food preferences as well as address key nutritional needs to support healthy dietary patterns.
Establishing the Summer EBT Program and Rural Non-Congregate Option in the Summer Meal Programs
Agency: USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Action: Notice of Deadline Extension to August 27, 2024
Why it matters: This interim final rule establishes a permanent Summer EBT Program, starting in the summer of 2024, and allows for meal service for eligible families, who have school-aged children and live in rural areas where no congregate meal service is offered.
Agency Information Collection Activities re SNAP Demonstration Projects and State Options Report
Agency: USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Action: Seeking Public Comments by June 7, 2024
Why it matters: USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) invites members of the public, including Tribal Governments, to submit comments on collection activities about SNAP Demonstration Projects and SNAP State Options Report. Demonstration projects allow State agencies to do approved pilots or experimental projects meant to improve the program. FNS also wants to improve the SNAP State Options Report which is published annually. Comments are invited on whether FNS’ process of collecting information on SNAP Demonstration Projects and State Options Report is practical, effective, and accurately depicts the amount of work needed to carry out activities.
Nominations
Including Native voices and perspectives to inform federal agencies through committees and boards is critical to addressing the unique needs of Indian Country. Check out this curated list of current opportunities, and please reach out with any questions: agpolicy@uark.edu.
Federal Communication Commission Task Force
Description of the Nomination Opportunity: The Task Force provides advice and recommendations to the Federal Communication Commission on how to assess and advance the deployment of broadband Internet access service on unserved agricultural land to promote precision agriculture. The working groups will include consideration of how connectivity can improve sustainability in agricultural production.
Deadline for submission: Nominations are accepted on a rolling basis. until all positions are filled.