Summary
- On Thursday, September 12, USDA will hold a Tribal Consultation with Tribal leaders about the supply chain disruptions for FDPIR.
- Congress is back in session this week with scheduled hearings from various House Agriculture, Energy, and Natural Resources Committees as well as the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
- USDA seeks nominations for the Growing Climate Solutions Act Advisory Council by October 15.
Key Policy-Related Dates
Tribal Consultation/Listening Sessions/Advisory Committee Meetings:
About: USDA will meet with Tribal leaders about the recent Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) supply chain disruptions, which are affecting inventory levels at CSFP and FDPIR sites.
Consultation Date(s):
- September 12, 2024: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. eastern.
Congressional updates
Looking Back:
Congress was not in session last week.
Looking Ahead:
Hearing: House Energy and Commerce Committee – Tuesday, September 10 at 10:30 a.m. eastern.
Topic: Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program Progress Report
Hearing: House Agriculture Committee and House Appropriations Committee – Wednesday, September 11 at 10:00 a.m. eastern.
Topic: Tribal/Elderly Communities Food Distribution Shortages
Hearing: House Natural Resources Committee – Wednesday, September 11 at 10:00 a.m. eastern.
Topic: Legislation Hearing:
- National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
- H.J. Res. 168
- H.R. 6129 Studying National Environmental Policy Act Impact on Projects
Hearing: Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee – Wednesday, September 11 at 2:30 p.m. eastern.
Topic: Legislation Hearing:
- S. 2927 (118), to amend the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to increase Tribal access to water conservation and efficiency grants and more.
Nomination Opportunities:
USDA Growing Climate Solutions Act Advisory Council
Description: The Growing Climate Solutions Act program aims to simplify access to carbon credit markets for farmers and landowners by connecting them with qualified providers and third-party verifiers. The Advisory Council will help farmers, especially small, mid-sized, and underserved groups, participate in verified environmental credit markets, supporting climate-smart agriculture and creating new income opportunities. The credits will represent genuine, long-term emissions reductions or removals.
Deadline: October 15, 2024
Nomination information can be found by clicking the button below.
Regulatory/Rulemaking Actions:
Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection re Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Livestock and Dairy Herd
- USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is requesting public comments on its extension of approval of an information collection regarding highly pathogenic avian influenza.
- APHIS is encouraging farmers and veterinarians to report cattle illnesses quickly and implement biosecurity measures.
- The Federal Order which went into effect on April 24, 2024, requires lactating dairy cattle be tested before interstate movement and laboratories report positive Influenza A cases in livestock. APHIS is asking the Office of Management and Budget to approve our use of this information collection activity for 3 years.
- Comments submitted by October 28, 2024, will be considered
Posted: Week of September 2, 2024
Title: Submission for OMB Review on the School Meals Operations Study
- USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is requesting comments on the School Meals Operations Study, which helps the Agency answer annual research questions about child nutrition programs.
- Information collected informs the budget process, current policy interests, training and technical assistance for State agencies and school food authorities, as well as identify child nutrition program trends.
- Comments received by September 23, 2024 will be considered.
Posted: Week of August 26, 2024
- 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 September 11, 2024
Posted: Week of August 26, 2024
- USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service has issued a final rule on regulations, allowing Tribes or Tribal organizations to sponsor watershed projects.
- Effective August 14, 2024, federally recognized Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, or Tribal organizations will be allowed to become watershed project sponsors.
- This rule increases Tribal ability to be a sponsor for watershed projects such as preventing damage and erosion as well as conservation efforts to develop, utilize, and dispose water.
- Comments submitted by September 13, 2024, will be considered.
Posted: Week of August 26