IFAI’s policy and research team monitors the Federal Register for updates, notices, information, events, and more that are important or could impact Indian Country. The listings are broken down into three categories:
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Announcements
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Rule/Policy Updates
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Nominations
Annoucements| Rule/Policy Updates| Nominations
Announcements
These are Federal Register notices about upcoming Tribal Consultations, listening sessions, public meetings, and funding opportunities as well as policy updates.
Child and Adult Care Food Program: Rescission of Obsolete Data Collection Requirements
Agency: USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
Action: Final rule takes effect on July 11, 2025
Why it matters:
USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has finalized a rule that will rescind an obsolete data collection requirement in regulations regarding Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Effective May 2, 2007, FNS implemented a final rule called “Data Collection Related to the Participation of Faith-Based and Community Organizations”. The rule required State agencies that administer CACFP to collect and report data related to participating institutions for each fiscal year from 2006 to 2009, ceasing in 2010.
Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA); Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP)
Agency: USDA Farm Service Agency
Action: Notice of NOFA
Why it matters: USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced the availability of funding for ECAP to provide 1-time financial assistance to eligible producers of eligible commodities for the 2024 crop year. This is a new USDA program authorized by the 2025 American Relief Act intended to help farmers with losses from natural disasters and a difficult farm economy. Indian Tribe or Tribal organization are included in the description of “eligible producers.” Applications will be accepted between March 19, 2025 until Aug. 15, 2025.
FDA Food Traceability Rule Delayed
Agency: U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Action: Notice of Compliance Date Delay
Why it matters: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will push back the compliance date for the Food Traceability Rule by 30 months, with a proposed rule in the Federal Register to be published later. The extension does not amend the requirements of the final rule. The final rule establishes additional traceability recordkeeping requirements (beyond what is already required in existing regulations) for persons who manufacture, process, pack, or hold foods on the Food Traceability List.
Child Nutrition Programs: Income Eligibility Guidelines
Agency: USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Action: Notice
Why it matters: USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announces the Income Eligibility Guidelines for free and reduced-price meals and free milk and Summer-EBT benefits from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. States and Indian Tribal Organizations that administer Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children Program use these guidelines. FNS uses the annual Federal poverty guidelines issued by the Department of Health and Human Services. These guidelines take effect on July 1, 2025.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): 2025/2026 Income Eligibility Guidelines
Agency: USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Action: Notice
Why it matters: USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announces the Income Eligibility Guidelines for WIC to be used in conjunction with WIC regulations from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. A state cannot set WIC guidelines that exceed the guidelines for reduced-price school meals. These guidelines take effect on July 1, 2025.
The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children Program; 2025 Benefits Levels
Agency: USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Action: Notice
Why it matters: USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announces annual adjustments to monthly benefits in the Summer EBT Program. For the 48 States, District of Columbia and Indian Tribal Organizations, the adjustment is based on the monthly Thrifty Food Plan cost for a reference family of four. There is no change in 2025 monthly level benefits for the 48 States, District of Columbia, Indian Tribal Organizations at $40 per month and a total of $120 over the summer months. These benefit levels are in effect Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2025.
Rule/Policy Updates
These are Federal Register notices about rules, regulations, and policy updates that have potential impacts to Tribal food and agriculture and provide opportunities for public comments or feedback.
Agency Information Collection Activities – State Supplemental Nutrition Programs Agreement (Form FNS-339)
Agency: USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
Action: Comments requested by June 30, 2025
Why it matters:
USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is seeking public comments about a revision to the reporting and recordkeeping burden related to the State Supplemental Nutrition Programs Agreement or Form FNS-339. This form is an annual contract between USDA and each State, Territory, and Indian Tribal Government agency that wish to operate nutrition programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and the Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). This revision requested is about the burden hours due to Program adjustments that primarily reflect expected changes in the number of WIC, FMNP, and/or SFMNP State agencies from year to year.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request about the 2008 Farm Bill Provisions on SNAP
Agency: USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
Action: Comments requested by May 27, 2025
Why it matters: USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) seeks comments its plan to provide SNAP households advance or concurrent notice for a State agency to store unused SNAP benefits offline due to inactivity of three or more months. This information collection is also about providing advance or concurrent notice to SNAP households before the State agency expunges unused SNAP benefits from the household’s Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT). Tribal Governments are among the expected respondents.
Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Outbreak Response Activities for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreaks in Poultry
Agency: USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
Action: Comments requested by May 19, 2025
Why it matters:
- USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) seeks comments about a notice of the final programmatic environmental impact statement (EIS) for outbreak response activities for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPIA) outbreaks in poultry in the U.S. HPIA is a serious livestock disease whose first outbreak after 20 years occurred in February 2004 in Texas. The final programmatic EIS offers three alternatives with the preferred being the Federal Operational Assistance with Biosecurity and Incentive Alternative. Under this alternative, poultry owners and producers are expected to resume business as quickly as possible.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request for ERS Generic Clearance for Survey Research Studies
Agency: USDA Economic Research Service (ERS)
Action: Comments Requested by May 18, 2025
Why it matters: USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) is requesting comments about its request for generic clearance to conduct research improving the quality of data collection. The objective is to develop, test, and evaluate the agency’s survey instruments, methodologies, technology, interview processes, and respondent recruitment protocols. ERS provides research and analysis that inform policies related to agriculture, food, and the environment.
Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Investment Systems
Agency: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
Action: Final Rule effective July 1, 2026
Why it matters: USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service issued a final rule that amends its regulations under the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921. The final rule takes effect on Jul. 1, 2026, and requires live poultry dealers to adopt fairer policies and procedures, increasing transparency in broiler grower payments, tournament operations, and capital improvement systems. One of the requirements by this final rule is for growers to be provided greater clarity and protection about the minimum payments they can expect under broiler growing arrangements.
Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP); Withdrawal Notice
Agency: USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Action: Withdrawal notice of previously proposed rule
Why it matters: USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service is withdrawing its proposed rule issued on May 10, 2016, which would have established procedures for planning, requesting, and operating D-SNAP. Disasters like COVID-19 pandemic showed that the proposed rule would have prevented USDA from adapting and enacting public health emergencies in a timely manner. As a result of feedback received through listening sessions and submitted comments, the rule is being withdrawn.
Nominations
Including Native voices and perspectives to inform federal agencies through committees and boards is critical to addressing the unique needs of Indian Country. Check out this curated list of current opportunities, and please reach out with any questions: agpolicy@uark.edu.
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