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 Funding Opportunity for the Rural eConnectivity Program
Agency: USDA Rural Utilities Service
Action: Notice of Funding Opportunity Closing on April 22, 2024.
Why it matters: The Rural Utilities Service announces acceptance of applications under the Rural eConnectivity (Reconnect) program that will award loan and grant funds to qualified applicants to fund the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service. Applications can be submitted through the RUS online application. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
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.
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.
Submission for OMB Review on Risk Assessment in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Payment Accuracy
Agency: USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Action: Request for Comments by May 9, 2024
Why it matters: USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) seeks comments from the public, including from Tribal Governments, about its study on Understanding Risk Assessment (RA) in SNAP Payment Accuracy. One of the key research objectives is to determine if the RA tools create (or relieve) racial disparities. The subject of the RA focuses on FNS’ and the SNAP State agencies’ ability to monitor the program for improper over or underpayments.
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.
Submission of OMB Review on Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery
Agency: USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
Action: Seeking Public Comments by May 3, 2024
Why it matters: USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is seeking public comments about its process of collecting qualitative feedback from customers and stakeholders. Qualitative feedback focuses on the Agency’s primary function of protecting the public by ensuring that meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome, not adulterated, and correctly labeled and packaged. Tribal Governments are among the expected respondents.
Privacy Act of 1974; Notice of a Modified System of Records
Agency: USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Action: Seeking Public Comments by May 3, 2024.
Why it matters: USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) wants to modify an existing system of records; specifically, the APHIS Animal Health Surveillance and Monitoring System, USDA/APHIS-15. APHIS uses this system to monitor animal health data for disease and pest control and surveillance programs. The notice outlines several changes to the system of records, including updates to policies and practices for storage as well as retention and disposal of records in the system.
Request for Comments re Employment and Training (E&T) Opportunities in SNAP
Agency: USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Action: Request for Comments by April 18, 2024
Why it matters: States are required to provide case management services such as comprehensive intake assessments and individualized service plans. Their purpose (which are provided virtually, over the phone, in-person, or hybrid) is to guide E&T participants towards appropriate E&T components and activities based on the participant’s needs and interests, to support the participant in the E&T program, and to provide activities and resources that will assist the participant toward self-sufficiency. USDA will use this information to better administer the SNAP E&T Program and to provide improved customer service to SNAP E&T participants.
Final rule on Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity Under the Packers and Stockyards Act
Agency: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
Action: Notice of Final Rule Effective May 6, 2024
Why it matters: This final rule addresses discriminatory or deceptive practices experienced by producers and growers from packers, swine contractors, and live poultry dealers. These practices include (1) discriminatory prejudices on certain bases relating to the producer’s characteristics, (2) retaliation for engaging in certain acts as part of being a livestock or poultry producer or rower, and (3) false or misleading statements or material omissions in certain contexts. This final rule is also intended to promote inclusive competition and market integrity.
Request for Comments re WIC Food Delivery Portal
Agency: USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Action: Request for Comments by April 29, 2024
Why it matters: State Agencies and Tribal Organizations are required to submit to FNS a summary of the results of their vendor monitoring efforts, assuring that every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the integrity of the WIC program. Data collection is done through the Food Delivery Portal and comments are invited on topics such as enhancing the quality, utility, and clarity of information to be collected.
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.