Summary
- Registration is still open for the Department of Interior’s scheduled virtual consultations and listening session in August and September about a proposed rule on Federal acknowledgment of Indian Tribes.
- Last chance to nominate qualified individuals for the FSA County Committee elections.
- FNS issued two Federal Register notices requesting public comments about Office of Management and Budget review submissions about Child Nutrition Programs and WIC.
- Interested in Indian Country food and agriculture? We’re hiring for a Tribal Enterprise Specialist! Apply now: bit.ly/IFAIJOBS.
Key Policy-Related Dates
Tribal Consultation/Listening Sessions/Advisory Committee Meetings:
Title of Event: Proposed Rule: Federal Acknowledgment of Indian Tribes (25 CFR 83)
About: Groups petitioning for Federal acknowledgment as Indian Tribes and groups seeking to re-petition for Federal acknowledgment are invited to attend two virtual consultation sessions and one listening session
Consultation Date(s):
- August 19, 2024: 2:00 p.m. central. (Registration Link)
- September 3, 2024: 12:00 p.m. central. (Registration Link)
Listening Session Date(s):
- September 5, 2024: 2:00 p.m. central. (Registration Link)
Congressional updates
Looking Back:
Hearing: House Committee on Rules Monday, July 22
Topic: H.R. 9027 – Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025
Highlights: One of the amendments to H.R. 9027 raised Intertribal Buffalo Council’s (ITBC) concerns regarding misalignment to Tribal buffalo management of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) final rule mandating Electronic Identification Eartags.
Hearing: House Committee on Agriculture Tuesday, July 23
Topic: Financial Conditions in Farm Country
Highlights: No issues pertaining to Tribal food and agriculture were raised.
Hearing: House Committee on Agriculture Thursday, July 25
Topic: Reauthorizing the CFTC: Stakeholder Perspectives
Highlights: Witnesses placed emphasis on strengthening the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and protecting customers as well as further expanding tools to support customers, including farmers.
Hearing: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Thursday, July 25
Topic: Legislative Hearing to receive testimony on the Tribal Protection Act Amendments Act of 2024 (S.4370) & A bill to approve the settlement of water rights claims of Ohkay Owingeh in the Rio Chama Stream System (S.4505).
Highlights:
Each witness provided their input on the various legislation. They cited local and Tribal knowledge as well as calling to attention the treaty rights and trust responsibilities. All the proposed bills passed in a subsequent markup.
Markup: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Thursday, July 25
Topic: S. 2783 Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act; S.3406 – Technical Corrections to the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act, Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Act, and Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act; S.4000 – A bill to reaffirm the applicability of the Indian Reorganization Act to the Lytton Rancheria of California, and for other purposes.
Highlights:
Each bill was passed without amendments.
Looking Ahead:
There are no Congressional Hearings relevant to Indian Country Agriculture this week.
Nomination Opportunities:
What is this nomination for? FSA County Committees
Description: USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees are an important part of the day-to-day operations of FSA. These committees allow grassroots input and location administration of federal farm programs. More than 7,700 dedicated members of the agricultural community serve on FSA county committees across the U.S. The committees are made up of three to 11 members who serve three-year terms. County committees impact the administration of the Farm Service Agency within a community. They help make determinations on programs such as disaster assistance, hiring decisions, and assist with outreach. County committee members can impact producers through their decision-making and help shape the culture of a local FSA office.
Where can I submit a nomination: Find out where and how to nominate qualified individuals in your FSA Local Administrative Areas (LAA) on FSA’s website here.
Deadline: Aug. 1, 2024
What is this nomination for? Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee (FRRCC);
Description: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting nominations for the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee (FRRCC). This Committee provides policy advice, information, and recommendations to the EPA Administrator on environmental issues and policies. Topics that the Committee addresses may include climate change, water or air quality issues, food loss and waste, environmental justice, and emergency response. The membership of the FRRCC will include a balanced representation of interested parties, including Tribal agriculture groups and Tribal governments.
Where can I submit a nomination? Use the Federal Register website.
Deadline: Nominations should be submitted no later than September 5, 2024.
Regulatory/Rulemaking Actions:
Title: Submission for OMB Review; Information Collection regarding Child Nutrition Programs: Community Eligibility Provision – Increasing Options for Schools
- This Child Nutrition rule expands access to the Community Eligibility Program (CEP) by lowering the minimum identified student percentage participation threshold from 40 to 25 percent.
- Identified students are directly certified for free school meals and do not need to submit a household application.
- FNS collects information to verify that the States and local education agencies are eligible to elect the CEP and to ensure compliance. Households must meet requirements to receive free or reduced-price meal benefits.
- Comments are requested by August 26, 2024
Posted: Week of July 30
Title: Submission for OMB Review; Information Collection regarding WIC Program Regulations – Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden
- The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides supplemental foods, nutrition education to low income, nutritionally at-risk pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age five.
- USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) collects information from state and local agencies, applicants, and retail vendors to determine eligibility in the WIC Program.
- Collected information includes explanation about food package changes, identification of foods acceptable for use in the Program for each State agency and vendor application and agreement information.
- Tribal Governments are among the expected respondents by August 26, 2024.
Posted: Week of July 30
Title: Federal Acknowledgment of American Indian Tribes
- The Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs is seeking public comments on a second notice of proposed rulemaking that creates a conditional, time-limited opportunity for denied petitioners to re-petition for Federal acknowledgment as an Indian Tribe.
- Groups petitioning for Federal acknowledgment must meet seven mandatory criteria that include: Indian Entity Identification, Community, and Political Authority.
- Comments must be received by September 13, 2024.
- Posted: Week of July 15