Policy Brief- August 3

Summary:

Senate Farm Bill. The Senate Agriculture Committee released updated Farm Bill text over the weekend ahead of a markup scheduled for Thursday at 9:30 a.m. EST. The updated bill text delays implementation of SNAP benefit cost share for states from October 2027 to October 2028. It also increases the maximum cost-share for states with very high SNAP error rates from 15% to 20%. The proposal falls short of demands from committee Democrats and advocacy from hunger groups for a two-year delay of the benefit cost-share requirements to provide states with time to reduce error rates. Stay tuned for an updated analysis from IFAI!

Government funding. Senate appropriators have reached an agreement on a stop gap funding measure to keep the government funded through early December, heading off a potential government shutdown at the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30. The measure would continue current funding levels through Dec. 11 and ensure that USDA operations could continue uninterrupted. It would also temporarily prevent the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) from implementing a controversial regulation that would allow political appointees to oversee scientific grants. If passed by the Senate this week, the Continuing Resolution would head to the House.

Markup: The Senate Agriculture Committee is holding a markup on the Senate Farm Bill, the Agricultural Act of 2026, on Aug. 6 at 9:30 a.m. EST. See IFAI’s analysis of the Senate and House Farm Bills here.

Hearing: The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held a legislative hearing on several bills on Indian water rights settlements on July 29 at 2:30 p.m. EST.
Read IFAI notes here. The Committee received testimony on five bills:

- - S.3573, A bill to amend the Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act to modify a provision relating to the extension of certain dates for the completion of the Regional Water System, and for other purposes.

- - S.4368, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act

- - S.4417, Pechanga Band of Indians Water Rights Settlement Technical Amendments Act

Agency Implicated: Bureau of Indian Affairs, DOI, Office of Indian Services, Division of Workforce Development

Summary: The IGNITE grant pilot program will support Tribal workforce development strategies that prepare Tribal participants for employment in construction and infrastructure trades and in emerging technology sectors, including advanced manufacturing, digital fabrication, artificial intelligence, drone and geospatial systems, and STEM-based workforce training. Funding will be awarded directly to Tribes and Tribal organizations through 638 contracts or compacts. The BIA anticipates making approximately 18 to 22 awards, with individual awards ranging from $100,000 to $300,000, for a one-year period of performance. The IGNITE grant pilot program will support implementation-ready workforce programs leading directly to employment, apprenticeship placement, or industry-recognized credentials. Funding can be requested to support program execution and implementation.

Eligible applicants: Federally Recognized Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations

Agency implicated:  National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce

Summary:   NOAA is seeking input from the public to help identify U.S. coastal and offshore regions that should be evaluated for potential Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs). AOAs are designated geographic zones that NOAA recognizes as suitable for commercial aquaculture in terms of environmental, economic, and social factors. The agency is requesting data, spatial information, siting considerations, and regional insights to inform the future identification of AOAs. This input will be combined with analyses from federal, state, tribal, and scientific sources to determine which regions will undergo detailed Environmental Review under NEPA. Three webinar listening sessions are scheduled for the following dates:

Eligible applicants: Federally Recognized Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations