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Policy Brief-January 20

Jan 20, 2026 | Congressional Notes, Featured Article, News, Policy Briefing

Summary: 

  • USDA’s Forest Service is holding a virtual engagement session with Tribes on Feb. 11, 2026, to discuss the implementation of the EXPLORE Act, which includes an expansion of the Good Neighbor Authority (GNA). Register online HERE. 
  • The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking nominations for the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee (FRRCC). EPA is seeking nominations from producers, including Tribal producers, representatives of Tribal agricultural groups, and Tribal leaders. Nominations should be submitted by March 2, 2026.  
  • The National Park Service is seeking nominations for the Subsistence Resource Commission. This commission, which includes nine local Alaska representatives, makes recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior and the Governor of Alaska regarding subsistence hunting in Denali National Park. Nominations must be postmarked by March 9, 2026. 
  • Interested in the latest edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans? The new 2025-2030 edition represents a shift in some aspects of federal nutrition policy, calling for Americans to increase their daily protein intake. Coming soon: IFAI’s analysis of the updated Dietary Guidelines and their potential impact in Indian Country.  

Outreach Calendar

GO TO CALENDAR

Tribal Consultation/Listening Sessions/Advisory Committee Meetings:

Title of Event: USDA Forest Service Tribal Forum: Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experience (EXPLORE) Act, P.L. 118-234 (Expansion of Good Neighbor Authority).  

About: This virtual session is an opportunity for FS to share information with Tribes and answer questions related to the implementation of the EXPLORE Act, which includes an expansion of the Good Neighbor Authority (GNA). Since 2014, GNA has been an effective policy that enables Tribal, state, and county governments to work closely with the Forest Service on restoration projects that take place on federal lands. The EXPLORE Act has expanded this authority, and the Forest Service is hosting this Tribal Forum to discuss the changes in the law and how they may benefit Tribes.   

  • Date(s), Time, and Location: 
  • Feb. 11, 2026, at 2-3:30 p.m. EST, held virtually on Zoom.
     
  • Register online.  

Congressional Hearings: 

Looking Back:

Floor Schedule: United States Senate on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. 

Topic: Consideration of the motion to proceed H.R. 6938 “Commerce, Justice, Science- Energy and Water Development- and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026.” 

Highlights: Passed the Senate 

Hearing: House Natural Resource Committee on Wednesday, Jan.14, 2026. 

Topic: Legislative Hearing on H.R. 6300 “Grasslands Grazing Act of 2025” 

Highlights: This hearing examined several pieces of legislation related to wildfire management and federal grazing policy. 

Read More HERE 

Hearing: Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. 

Topic: Growing the Small Business Agricultural Economy 

Highlights: This hearing examined challenges facing rural small businesses, farmers, and agricultural economies under current federal policies. The hearing featured testimony from rural bankers, cooperative leaders, farm equipment dealers, and small farm advocates. 

Read More HERE 

Looking Ahead:

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

Nominations:

Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee (FRRCC); Call for Nominations 

Description: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites nominations for membership on the FRRCC, which provides policy, advice, information, and recommendations to the EPA Administrator. Advice and recommendations given by FRRCC members are of concern to farms, ranches, and rural communities. Further information about the FRRCC can be found HERE. 

Deadline: March 2, 2026. 

Nominations for the National Park Service Alaska Region Subsistence Resource Commission Program 

Description: The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking nominations for individuals to represent subsistence users on the following Subsistence Resource Commissions (SRC): the Aniakchak National Monument SRC, the Cape Krusenstern National Monument SRC, the Denali National Park SRC, the Gates of the Arctic National Park SRC, the Kobuk Valley National Park SRC, the Lake Clark National Park SRC, and the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park SRC. The SRCs hold meetings to develop NPS subsistence program recommendations and advise on related regulatory proposals and resource management issues. For example, advise on the subsistence of hunting programs, determine seasons and harvest limits, deal with proposed development in and adjacent to the park, and other like activities. 

Deadline: Nominations must be postmarked by March 9, 2026.

Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Consultive Committee 

Description: The purpose of this body is to ensure that the interests of U.S. stakeholders are considered in the development of positions and policy relative to U.S. participation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO). 

Deadline: Nominations will be accepted at any time.

Regulatory/Rule Making Actions:

Title: Changes to Agriculture Risk Coverage, Price Loss Coverage, and Dairy Margin Coverage Programs  

  • USDA is updating three programs as required in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA): the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC), Price Loss Coverage (PLC), and Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) programs.  
  • The ARC and PLC are extended until 2031, and had payment levels adjusted for inflation, updated definitions for clarity, as well as updated payment calculations. DMC is also extended until 2031 and will now allow dairy operations to establish a new production history based on 2021 numbers, as well as increasing Tier 1 coverage from 5 million to 6 million pounds. 
  • This final rule is effective on Jan. 12, 2026. 

Read More HERE  

Title: Environmental Assessment for Post-Fire Recovery Actions on National Forest System Lands 

  • The USDA Forest Service (FS) is preparing a nationwide environmental assessment to analyze the effects of post-fire recovery actions on National Forest System lands, including mechanical and non-mechanical hazardous fuels reduction, hazardous tree removal, timber salvage, reforestation, and use of natural materials to restore water and soil systems.  
  • The intent of this assessment is to identify general actions, issues, alternatives, and supporting analysis that are common to post wildfire activities that occur on National Forest System Lands to facilitate consistency and more efficient subsequent site-specific decisions.  
  • FS is proposing to analyze two alternatives in this environmental assessment: the proposed action alternative (developing and implementing a set of standard post-fire activities) and the no action alternative (not implementing a set of standard post-fire activities).  
  • Comments must be received by Jan. 26, 2026. 

Read More HERE 

Title: Removal of National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Regulations 

  • This final rule from the Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ) responds to public comments from a Feb. 25, 2025, interim final rule (following Executive Order 14154), which removed NEPA implementing regulations from the CFR, concluding it lacked statutory authority.  
  • This rule responds to comments and finalizes the interim final rule with no changes. 
  • CEQ received comments pertaining to the lack of formal government-to-government consultations with Tribes. In response, CEQ submits that the final rule has no Tribal implications and that any “harms the Tribes assert are speculative.” As a result, CEQ will not be conducting government-to-government consultations.  
  • The final rule is effective Jan. 8, 2026. 

Read More HERE