Policy Brief- July 7

Summary:

Call for STAC nominations – The Department of Interior’s Secretary’s Tribal Advisory Committee (STAC) is seeking nominations for new representatives. STAC is a key forum for strengthening collaboration between Tribes and the Federal government. Nominations are due July 31 at 11:59 pm ET to oiea@ios.doi.gov. Read more here.

Land, Capital, and Market Access grants reinstated – Last week, USDA was ordered to reinstate 24 grants under the Land, Capital, and Market Access (LCMA) program, including to two Native-led organizations. The LCMA program was intended to support underserved producers but was terminated last March.

USDA reorganization – A group of federal employee unions, non-profits, and others are continuing legal efforts to temporarily halt USDA’s reorganization, arguing that the reorganization is arbitrary and capricious and that USDA lacks authority for a sweeping reorganization without Congress’s approval. The latest filing from the plaintiffs included USDA’s previously confidential Reduction in Force (RIF) and reorganization plan. The original plan, which is marked “Pre-Decisional/Deliberative” proposed significant staff cuts: 16% at FSA, 34% at NRCS, 47% at Rural Development (RD), and 46% at Food and Nutrition Service. It also proposed closing 317 FSA county offices, eliminating NRCS and RD state offices, and consolidating Tribal relations within mission areas and having the Office of Tribal Relations be responsible for all legally required tribal relations functions. IFAI will continue monitoring USDA reorganization.

IFAI is holding its annual Native Youth in Food and Agriculture Leadership Summit next week. The Policy Brief will be back the week of July 20.

No Committee hearings or markups related to Tribal agriculture were held last week.

The House and Senate are out of session.

Description: The Secretary’s Tribal Advisory Committee was established to facilitate meaningful dialogue between Interior and tribes to address evolving issues related to the Department’s programs, responsibilities and proposed policies. DOI will appoint representatives from each of the 12 BIA regions and seeks applicants who bring strong leadership and expertise related to the Administration’s priorities. In addition to appointees for each region, DOI seeks nominations for individuals with strong experience in advancing economic development in Tribal communities; enhancing Tribal self-sufficiency through energy development; strengthening public safety in Tribal communities; improving educational outcomes for our students; and streamlining and modernizing the probate process for trust assets.

Deadline: Nomination packets are due July 31, 2026 at 11:59 pm ET and should be submitted via email to oiea@ios.doi.gov.

Summary: This final rule revises technical guidelines for quantifying, reporting, and verifying the carbon intensity (CI) of agricultural commodity crops used in the production of biofuels relative to an estimated national average that were established by a prior January 2025 interim rule. The revised guidelines articulate an approach for farm producers to quantify the change in net emissions associated with crops produced using one or more authorized practices and for how information regarding emissions, resulting from the production of biofuel feedstock commodity crops, could be reported and tracked throughout the supply chain.

Impact in Indian Country: Any producer who grows Biofuel Feedstocks are impacted by the changes to this rule. Namely, the stringency in the new reporting requirements will be the biggest adjustment. The requirements reflect a need for more accurate CI reporting as well as avoiding double-dipping with regards to the environmental benefits reported. The agencies recognize that this rule has potential Tribal implications. It consulted on the rule in September 2025 and received no substantive comments or concerns. Tribes may request consultation and work with the Office of Tribal Relations.

Summary: The President directs the mentioned agencies to implement new objectives to “promote continued advances in precision agriculture technologies; significantly increase Federal investment in regenerative agriculture practices, research, and education; and spur private-sector innovation in farm modernization by reducing red tape and strengthening public-private partnerships.” These agencies are directed to develop a framework to evaluate cumulative chemical exposure in the food supply and its impact on human health, using New Approach Methodologies to improve understanding of health and environmental risks. At USDA, the Department must maximize funding for the existing Regenerative Pilot Program and explore ways to expand its reach, including by creating public-private partnerships to help producers adopt regenerative practices and share results widely with stakeholders.