Summary
- There is a Tribal consultation and listening session on July 29 about FNS’ research study on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
- Senate Appropriations marks up FY2025 USDA-FDA bills this Thursday, while additional hearings in the upper chamber this week focus on digital commodities and the state of rural infrastructure.
- The House Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing examining the consequences of EPA’s actions on American agriculture.
- The Department of Interior adds several July consultations/listening sessions taking place in-person and online to discuss the PROGRESS Act.
Key Policy-Related Dates
Congressional updates
Looking Back
There were no committee meetings during the week of July 1; Congress was back in their home districts.
Looking Ahead
Hearing: Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry – Wednesday, July 10 at 10 a.m. eastern
Topic: Full Committee Hearing on Oversight of Digital Commodities
Hearing: House Committee on Agriculture – Wednesday, July 10 at 2 p.m. eastern
Topic: Examining the Consequences of EPA’s Actions on American Agriculture
Hearing: Senate Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy – Wednesday, July 10 at 2:30 p.m. eastern
Topic: The State of Rural Infrastructure: Emergency Response, Recovery, and Resilience
Hearing: Senate Appropriations Committee – Thursday, July 11 at 9:30 a.m. eastern
Topic: Full Committee Markup of the MilCon-VA, Agriculture-FDA, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Acts and Fiscal Year 2025 Subcommittee Allocations (Markup of the “Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025.”
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
Tribal Consultations:
Title of Event: Tribal Consultation on a Proposed Rule Regarding Subchapter IV of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) and the Department of Interior’s Tribal Self-Governance Program
About: The Department of Interior is holding 4 Tribal consultations (3 in-person and 1 virtual) this month to seek feedback on a proposed rule amending regulations in subchapter IV of ISDEAA as required by the PROGRESS Act. Written Comments must be submitted by Thursday, August 22, 2024, to consultation@bia.gov
Consultation Date(s):
- July 15, 2024: 1 – 4 p.m. pacific (in person)
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- Henry M. Jackson Federal Building North Auditorium – 915 2nd Ave. Seattle, WA
- July 17, 2024: 1 – 4 p.m. central (in-person)
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- Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Auditorium, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service – 3815 American Blvd E., Bloomington, MN
- July 19, 2024: 1 – 4 p.m. mountain (in-person)
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- U.S. Bureau of Land Management National Training Center Classroom – 9828 N 31st Ave. Phoenix, AZ
- July 22, 2024: 1 – 4 p.m. eastern (online)
About: USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service is conducting a research study in a sample of Territories and ITOs to examine how operations are uniquely different than in other WIC State agencies and determine how this impacts the program experience. Findings from the research study could inform program or policy adjustments to ensure equitable operations and services for all WIC participants.
Consultation Date(s):
- July 29, 2024: 2 – 4 p.m. eastern (zoom login will be available starting at 1:30 p.m. eastern)
- The consultation and listening sessions will be done virtually with a registration deadline of Sunday, July 28, 2024.
Regulatory/Rulemaking Actions:
Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP)
- ELAP provides emergency relief to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees, and farm-raised fish for losses due to disease (including cattle tick fever), adverse weather, or other conditions, such as blizzards and wildfires, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture, that are not covered by the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) or the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).
- This final rule, which takes effect on July 1, 2024, makes changes to ELAP to provide financial assistance to dairy producers who face milk losses due to H5N1 infection of their dairy herds.
- The federal register notice outlines eligibility criteria, application process, and payment calculations.
Posted: Week of July 1
- USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing a rule that would define unfair practices as conduct that harms market participants and conduct that harms the market.
- The purpose of this proposed rule is to promote fair and competitive markets in the livestock, meats, poultry, and live poultry markets.
- Comments must be received by August 27, 2024
Posted: Week of July 1