Policy Brief – June 18, 2024

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Summary

  • House Appropriations moved the FY 2025 funding for USDA and FDA last week after a lengthy hearing.    
  • InterTribal Buffalo Council President Ervin Carlson testified in support of legislation that would extend 638 authority to bison management programs at DOI, with Asst. Secretary Bryan Newland also offering testimony in support of the bill with explanations on its implications for funding if signed into law. 

Key Policy-Related Dates

 

Congressional updates   

Looking Back

Markup: House Appropriations- Tuesday, June 11 

Topic: FY 25 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Bill 

Highlights:  

  • The subcommittee convened to discuss the fiscal year 2025 appropriations bill for agriculture, rural development, the FDA, and related agencies.  
  • The proposed bill allocates $25.87 billion, a 1.35% decrease from the previous year. Key provisions include funding for agricultural research, rural broadband, food safety, and nutrition assistance programs, while rejecting the Biden administration’s spending levels.  
  • The subcommittee approved the bill to advance to the full committee. 

Hearing: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs- Wednesday, June 12 

Topic: Hearings to examine: 

  • S.2908, to assist Tribal governments in the management of buffalo and buffalo habitat and the reestablishment of buffalo on Indian land 

Highlights: 

  • The Committee heard several bills, only one of which is centrally related to Tribal agriculture and nutrition. InterTribal Buffalo Council President Ervin Carlson Sr. (Blackfeet Nation) testified in support of the  S. 2908, the Indian Buffalo Management Act 
  • If passed, this legislation to create a permanent Tribal buffalo restoration and management program within the Department of Interior. 
  • Asst. Secretary Newland commented on the legislation, saying if passed its $14m in dedicated funding may require the Department “to utilize funds from other programs to meet the Department’s statutory obligations under ISDEAA.” 

Hearing: House Committee on Natural Resources– Thursday, June 13 

Topic: Examining GAO’s Findings to Address Data Gaps and Improve Data Collection in the Territories 

This hearing focused on existing data gaps related to the U.S. Territories (e.g. Guam and Puerto Rico); as such, it did not discuss issues directly relevant to Tribal food and agriculture.  

Looking Ahead

There are no Congressional hearings relevant to Tribal food and agriculture this week.  

Nominations

What is the nomination for?  Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production 

Description:  

  • USDA seeks nominations for four positions on the Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. This 12-member committee is part of USDA’s efforts to increase support for urban agriculture and innovative production.  
  • Members provide input on policy development and help identify barriers to urban agriculture. 

Deadline for submission? July 6, 2024 

Where can I submit a nomination?  

  • Nomination packages must be submitted by email to UrbanAgricultureFederalAdvisoryCommittee@usda.gov or postmarked by July 6, 2024. If sent by mail, packages should be addressed to USDA NRCS, Attn: Brian Guse, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 4083, Washington, DC 20250. Any interested person or organization may nominate qualified individuals for membership, including self-nominations. For special accommodations, contact Markus Holliday at UrbanAgricultureFederalAdvisoryCommittee@usda.gov.

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 

Regulatory/Rulemaking Actions:   

 

Title: Notice of Request for an Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection re Agency Service Delivery 

  • USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) requests an extension on a currently approved information collection activity about Agency service delivery.  
  • AMS seeks to gather qualitative customer and stakeholder feedback such as information that provides useful insights on perceptions and opinions (not statistical survey) that can be generalized.  
  • The solicitation of feedback will target areas such as: timeliness, appropriateness, accuracy of information, courtesy, efficiency of service delivery, and resolution of issues with service delivery. 
  • Comments must be received by Aug. 12, 2024. 

Posted:  Week of June 17 

Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems 

  • USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) seeks public comments on proposed revisions to its regulations under the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921.  
  • AMS is proposing amendments such as (1) prohibiting live poultry dealers (LPDs) from discounting or reducing the grower’s rate of compensation based on the grower’s grouping, ranking, or comparison to others; and (2) requiring LPDs to establish and maintain written documentation of their processes for the design and operation of a broiler grower ranking system.  
  • Comments must be received by Aug. 9, 2024. 

Posted: Week of June 10 

Title: Agency Information Collection Activities; Outreach and Assistance to Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (2501 Program) Application and Performance Reporting 

  • USDA seeks public comments on information to be included in performance reports that will be submitted to Congress.  
  • Information sought about the 2501 program at USDA will include (1) the recipients of funds made available under the program; (2) the activities undertaken, and services provided; and (3) the number of current and prospective socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers served and the outcomes of such service. 
  • Comments must be submitted by July 29, 2024 

Posted: Week of June 3 

Title: SNAP Program Purpose and Work Requirement Provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 

  • 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.  
  • The written comments deadline has been extended to June 14, 2024. 

Posted: Week of May 27