Summary

• USDA kicks off a week of Tribal consultations at NCAI mid-year to discuss self-determination policies in forestry, food safety, and nutrition programs as well as other topics. Registration for the Food and Nutrition Programs consultation remains open. Access IFAI’s briefing documents here. On June 5, there is a consultation on USDA’s Tribal Treaties Database. Additionally, a regular consultation for the Tribal leaders FDPIR group with USDA Food and Nutrition Service will occur on June 6. IFAI is helping facilitate a caucus on the evening of June 5. 
• The Department of Interior has extended the deadline for nominations for the Invasive Species Advisory Committee to June 7. 
• There is a Federal Register about information needed to assess the performance and application of the Outreach and Assistance to Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (2501 Program). 

Key Policy-Related Dates

Tribal Consultation/Listening Sessions/Advisory Committee Meetings:    

Title of Event: Tribal Consultations: Expanding Tribal Self-Determination Policies at USDA

About: USDA is holding a Tribal Consultation at this year’s NCAI Mid-Year Conference at Cherokee, North Carolina during the week of June 3. 2024. This will be a hybrid nation-to-nation consultation. All attendees, including those attending in-person, must register/RSVP. Proxies may submit their proxy forms to tribal.relations@usda.gov

Consultation Dates:

• Food and Nutrition Programs – June 5: 1-4 p.m. eastern (Register here)

Title of Event: Tribal Treaty Database Consultation and Listening Session

About: This is a consultation and listening session is about a searchable and indexed database of all treaties between the United States government and Tribal nations. The database is in its beta version as additional information is continuously added to the website. USDA encourages Tribal attorneys and Tribal subject matter experts to attend and share comments. This event can be accessed in-person or by virtual means.

Dates:

• June 5, 2024: 1-3 p.m. eastern (Register here)

About: USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service is holding an in-person quarterly consultation with members of the FDPIR Tribal Leader Consultation Working Group during the NCAI Mid-Year Conference at Cherokee, North Carolina. This group raises and addresses issues experienced by Tribal communities participating in the FDPIR program and federal nutrition programs in general.  

Dates: 

• June 6, 2024: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. eastern. (Register here) 

Congressional updates    

Looking Back: 

Congress was in recess last week. 

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead:  

Hearing: House Natural Resources Federal Lands Subcommittee Wednesday, June 4 at 10:15 a.m. eastern 

Topic: Examining President’s FY 25 Budget Request for the U.S. Forest Service 

Hearing: Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry- Wednesday, June 4 at 2:30 p.m. eastern 

Topic: Pathways to Farming: Helping the Next Generation of Farmers 

Witnesses: 

• Tessa Parks– W.T. Farms, National Farmers Union 
• Raechel Sattazahn- Director of Industry and Membership Relations, Horizon Farm Credit 
• Kevin Lussier– Chair, Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee 
• Christian Good- Owner/Operator, Christian Good Farms 

Nominations

What is the nomination for? Invasive Species Advisory Committee 

Description: This is the second request for nominations for qualified persons to serve as members of the Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC), which advises the National Invasive Species Council (NISC). Some criteria for prospective ISAC members include: (1) knowledge related to the prevention, eradication, and/or control of invasive species; and (2) familiarity with relevant Federal government programs and policy-making procedures, as well as their interface with non-federal entities.  

Deadline for submission? June 7, 2024 

Where can I submit a nomination? 

Regulatory/Rulemaking Actions:   

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: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request on SNAP-Ed Connection Resource Sharing Form 889 

• USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service seeks public comment on whether collecting information through the SNAP-Ed Connection Resource Sharing Form FNS 889 is necessary for the proper performance of the agency.  
• Information collected via this Resource Sharing Form (FNS-889) enables FNS to review and approve resources to be shared publicly on the SNAP-Ed Connection website to provide technical assistance, best practices, and enhance program activities.  

• Comments must be submitted by June 20, 2024. 

Posted: Week of May 20 

• 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 

• USDA’s Office of the Chief Information Officer seeks public comments on USDA’s submission for Generic Clearance on collecting qualitative feedback about agency service delivery.  
• 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 submitted by July 15, 2024. 

Posted: Week of May 20