Summary
- USDA is holding multiple consultations at NCAI mid-year in early June to discuss self-determination policies in forestry, food safety, and nutrition programs as well as other topics. 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.
- Congress is in recess this week.
- The Department of Interior has extended the deadline for nominations for the Invasive Species Advisory Committee to June 7.
- There is a Federal Register notice about the deadline extension for public comments on SNAP program purpose and work requirement provisions. The new deadline is June 14.
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:
- Forestry – June 3, 2024: 1-4 p.m. ET (Register here)
- Meat Inspections – June 3, 2024: 4:30-7:30 p.m. ET (Register here)
- Food and Nutrition Programs – June 5: 1-4 p.m. ET (Register here)
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. ET (Register here)
Title of Event: FDPIR Tribal Leader Consultation Working Group Tribal Consultation
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:
Hearing: House Appropriations Committee, Wednesday, May 22
Topic: Nutritious Foods in the SNAP Program
Highlights: Discussion focused on ensuring SNAP participants use the program for nutritious food. There were no discussions on Tribal food and agriculture.
Hearing: Senate Appropriations Committee, (Rescheduled) Wednesday, May 23
Topic: A Review of the President’s FY 25 Budget Request for Indian Country
Witnesses:
- Roselyn Tso, Director of the Indian Health Service
- Bryan Newland, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Department of Interior
Highlights:
- Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) spoke on the importance of treaty fishing rights along the Columbia River.
- Assistant Secretary Bryan Newland broke down the FY 25 Budget request and explained how the money will be allocated to help foster Tribal Self-Determination.
- Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) emphasized the importance of expediting Tribal self-determination and its potential inclusion in the Farm Bill in 638 food programming.
Looking Ahead
Congress is on recess this week.
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: 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
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
- 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
- USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service seeks public comments on whether reporting food distribution activities as part of disaster assistance is necessary for the proper performance of the agency.
- Distributing agencies, including Indian Tribal Organizations that administer FNS programs, must report to FNS the number of location of sites used for food distribution and the types and amounts of donated foods from distributing or recipient agency storage facilities used in disaster assistance.
- Comments must be submitted by June 12, 2024.
Posted: Week of May 13
- USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service seeks public comments on whether information from state and local agencies, applicants, and retail vendors to determine eligibility for the WIC program is necessary for the proper performance of the agency.
- FNS also uses the information to manage, plan, evaluate, make decisions, and report on WIC Program operations.
- Written comments must be submitted by June 12, 2024.
Posted: Week of May 13
- USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service seeks public comments on whether information collected about the process of initiating collection activities on over-issuance in SNAP is necessary for the proper performance of the agency.
- To initiate collection action, State agencies must provide affected Individuals/Households (I/HH) with written notification informing them of the claim and demanding repayment.
- Written comments must be submitted by July 9, 2024.
Posted: Week of May 13
- USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service seeks public comments on whether information collected about a revision to the currently approved Special Nutrition Programs QRS is necessary for the proper performance of the agency.
- Quick Response Surveys enable FNS to quickly obtain information needed to answer policy and program implementation questions.
- Tribal Governments are among the expected respondents.
- Written comments should be submitted by June 7, 2024.
Posted: Week of May 13