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.
Regulatory Freeze Pending Review
Agency: White House
Action: Memorandum issued on January 20, 2025
Why it matters: On Jan. 20, 2025, the White House issued an Executive Order freezing all pending rules that have not previously been published in the Federal Register. The Director or Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget (the “OMB Director”) may exempt any rule that is deemed necessary to address emergencies or other urgent circumstances.
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.
Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Investment Systems
Agency: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
Action: Final Rule effective July 1, 2026
Why it matters: USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service issued a final rule that amends its regulations under the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921. The final rule takes effect on Jul. 1, 2026, and requires live poultry dealers to adopt fairer policies and procedures, increasing transparency in broiler grower payments, tournament operations, and capital improvement systems. One of the requirements by this final rule is for growers to be provided greater clarity and protection about the minimum payments they can expect under broiler growing arrangements.
Supplemental Aricultural Assistance Programs
Agency: USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC)
Action: Final rule effective January 17, 2025
Why it matters: The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) have issued a final rule to simplify and streamline deadlines for the following programs: the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP), the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP), and the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). The final rule took effect on Jan. 17, 2025, and also clarifies ELAP provisions for assistance for transportation of livestock feed. Across all three programs (ELAP, LFP, and LIP) there is now a single deadline for filing a notice of loss, an application for payment, and other requirements.
Comment Request Regarding Data Security Requirements for Accessing Confidential Data
Agency: USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
Action: Comments requested by February 12, 2025
Why it matters: USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) requests comments about an Agency’s use of a Standard Application Process (SAP) to collect information about individuals requesting access to confidential data sets. SAP is the process through which entities (including Agencies, States, Tribal governments, and researchers) may apply to access confidential data assets held by a federal statistical agency or unit. The SAP Portal is an application interface connecting applicants seeking data with a catalog of metadata for data assets owned by federal statistical agencies and units.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control Review Handbook Incorporation by Reference
Agency: USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Action: Comments requested by March 4, 2025
Why it matters: USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service seeks public comments on a proposed rule to include the FNS Handbook 310 into SNAP regulations. Handbook 310 is the standard operating procedure manual for conducting quality control reviews of SNAP cases. The SNAP quality control reviews have four goals that include measuring the validity of the SNAP eligibility caseload and providing the basis for determining all SNAP error rates.
Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP); Withdrawal Notice
Agency: USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Action: Withdrawal notice of previously proposed rule
Why it matters: USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service is withdrawing its proposed rule issued on May 10, 2016, which would have established procedures for planning, requesting, and operating D-SNAP. Disasters like COVID-19 pandemic showed that the proposed rule would have prevented USDA from adapting and enacting public health emergencies in a timely manner. As a result of feedback received through listening sessions and submitted comments, the rule is being withdrawn.
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.
National Research,Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board ( NAREEE)
Agency: USDA
Description: The NAREEE Advisory Board advises the Secretary of Agriculture on top priorities and policies for food and agricultural research, education, extension, and economics. They provide stakeholder input and science-backed information to better inform USDA’s program decisions.
Nomination due: May 2025
Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Permanent Advisory Committee
Agency: National Marine Fisheries Service; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Description: The Advisory Committee provides recommendations to the U.S. Commissioners to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission regarding the deliberations and decisions of the Commission.
Nomination due: March 24, 2025
Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods
Agency: USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service
Description: USDA is seeking NACMCF nominees with scientific expertise in microbiology, risk assessment, public health, food science, and other relevant disciplines. Advisory Committee members serve a two-year term beginning September 2025 through September 2027. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristal Southern, Designated Federal Officer, by email to NACMCF@usda.gov or by telephone at 202–937–4162.
Nomination due: February 18, 2025
Bureau of Land Management Northern New Mexico Resource Advisory Council
Agency: DOI, Bureau of Land Management
Description: This regional advisory council provides advice and recommendations to the BLM on land use planning and management of the National System of Public Lands within its geographic areas.
Nomination due: February 18, 2025