Summary
- IFAI has a template letter for Tribes interested in commenting on USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service rescinding a 2023 final rule that removed “visual observation” by State agencies on the collection of race and ethnicity data. Comments are due June 15 to USDA.
- We have a blog for Tribal governments up on USDA AMS’ application window for two local food grant programs that closes on June 27.
- The Bureau of Indian Affairs continues its Tribal consultation series from June 5 – June 12 on federal staffing, efficiencies and energy permitting as proposed in Executive Order 14210. Check out the IFAI background briefing document and comment template here.
- The Department of the Interior will hold further consultations from June 17 – 26 with Tribal leaders about the Department’s DRAFT FY2026 – 2030 Strategic Plan.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration is holding a Tribal consultation about the efficiencies and effectiveness of 8(a) programs on June 13. Virtual attendance registration is here.
- There are four congressional hearings this week from the Senate and House Agriculture committees, House Natural Resources, and House Appropriations Committee.
- There are several federal register notices from various USDA agencies this week, including a final rule from FSA about the Emergency Livestock Response Program for 2023 and 2024.
Calendar
Tribal Consultation/Listening Sessions/Advisory Committee Meetings
Title of Event: Indian Affairs Workforce Efficiency and Productivity – EO14210
About: The U.S. Department of Interior Indian Affairs will conduct a series of Tribal consultations
with federally recognized Tribes to receive formal input on how the Department and its agencies (including the Bureau of Indian Affairs) can implement operational improvements. The consultations vary in format: virtual and/or in-person.
Date(s), Time, and Location:
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- June 5, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time – Washington, DC Register Here
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- June 6, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time – Virtual Register Here
Written comments must be submitted by July 7, 2025 either by email to consultation@bia.gov or by mail to the Department of the Interior, Office of Regulatory Affairs and Collaborative Action, 1001 Indian School Road NW, Suite 229, Albuquerque, NM 87104.
Tribal Consultation for 8(a) Business Development Program and Mentor-Protégé Program Issues and Best Practices
About: The U.S. Small Business Administration is hosting a Tribal consultation to seek feedback about how the 8(a) program is working in terms of efficiency and reducing regulatory burden. The link to the Federal Register Notice is here.
- Date(s), Time, and Location:
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- June 13, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Alaska
- Consultation will be held in person at Z.J. Loussac Public Library, 3600 Denali Street, Anchorage, AK 99503
- Pre-registration deadline is June 6, 2025
- Send pre-registration requests to attend and/or testify to Diane Cullo, Assistant Administrator, Office of Native American Affairs, U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 3rd Street SW, Washington DC 20416; or by email to Diane.Cullo@sba.gov; or Facsimile to (202) 481-2177.
- Individuals wanting to participate virtually can register here.
Title of Event: Tribal Consultation for the Department of Interior’s FY2026 – 2030 Strategic Plan
About: The Department of Interior (DOI) is hosting a series of consultations to obtain Tribal feedback about the Department’s FY2026 – 2030 Strategic Plan. All sessions will be virtual.
- Date(s), Time, and Location:
- June 17, 2025, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. eastern – East Coast Tribal Register Here
- June 18, 2025, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. eastern – Alaska Native Register Here
- June 24, 2025, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. eastern – West Coast Tribal Register Here
- June 26, 2025, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. eastern – Native Hawaiian Register Here
- The comment period will be open for 30 days after the last consultation. Session participants may submit written comments to consultation@bia.gov
Congressional Sessions:
Looking back:
There were no Congressional hearings held during the week of May 26
Looking ahead:
Hearing: Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee– Tuesday, June 3 at 3 p.m. eastern
Topic: Nomination of Michael Boren to be Agriculture undersecretary for natural resources and environment
Hearing: House Natural Resources Committee- Wednesday, June 4 at 10:15 a.m. eastern
Topic: Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness
Hearing: House Agriculture Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology Subcommittee– Thursday, June 5 at 10 a.m. eastern
Topic: Supporting Farmers, Strengthening Conservation, Sustaining Working Lands
Hearing: House Appropriations Committee– Thursday, June 5 at 10:30 a.m. eastern
Topic: FY2026 Agriculture-Rural Development-FDA Bill
Nominations:
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Tribal Intergovernmental Advisory Committee– due before July 18, 2025.
Regulatory/Rulemaking Actions
Title: Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustments for 2025
- USDA’s Office of the Secretary announced a final rule that amends the Department’s monetary penalties to adjust for inflation.
- The rule complies with the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015.
- The rule identifies various adjusted civil monetary penalties across USDA Agencies. For example:
- Agricultural Marketing Service – penalty for improper record keeping.
- Food Nutrition Service – penalty for violating a provision of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008.
- Food Safety and Inspection Service – penalty for certain violations under the Egg Products Inspection Act.
- The final rule took effect on May 29, 2025.
Posted: Week of June 2, 2025
Title: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request re Additional Testing and Reporting of HPAI in Livestock and Milk
- USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) submitted for OMB review proposed information collection activities related to additional testing and reporting of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in livestock and milk.
- The objective of the proposed collection activities is to address the spread of the HPAI virus through raw milk.
- Samples will be collected at facilities that ship, receive, or transfer milk interstate.
- Comments submitted by June 30, 2025, will be considered.
Posted: Week of June 2, 2025
Title: Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) 2023 and 2024
- USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) issued a final rule implementing the ELRP for 2023 and 2024.
- ELRP provides payments to eligible livestock producers that had losses resulting from qualifying drought and qualifying wildfire that occurred in 2023 and 2024.
- Prospective participants are not required to file additional application to receive ELRP for 2023 and 2024. FSA will calculate payments based on data already submitted to FSA.
- The rule took effect on May 29, 2025
Posted: Week of June 2, 2025
Title: Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request about Generic Clearance to Conduct Formative Research or Development of Nutrition Education and Promotion Materials and Related Tools and Grants for FNS Population Groups
- USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is requesting general clearance to conduct research and develop nutrition education, promotion materials, and related tools and grants.
- FNS develops resources about healthy eating and physical activity to children and adults that participate in federal nutrition programs.
- FNS uses research methods such as focus groups, interviews, surveys, and web-based data collection.
- Written comments received on or before July 28, 2025, will be considered.
Posted: Week of June 2, 2025
Title: Notice of Termination of Seven Discretionary Federal Advisory Committees
- USDA is terminating seven discretionary federal advisory committees because of a February 19, 2025, Executive Order called “Commencing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy”.
- The Secretary of USDA determined that the seven advisory committees should include Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics, National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection, and the National Wildlife Services Advisory Committee.
- Inquiries may be sent to Cikena Reid, USDA Committee Management Officer at cikena.reid@usda.gov
Posted: Week of May 19, 2025
- USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service is proposing to rescind a final rule issued on December 14, 2023, about regulatory language that removed “visual observation” as an example of when State agencies might collect race and ethnicity data when SNAP participants do not voluntarily provide race and ethnicity information on the application form.
- This proposed rule is expected to have little impact on States and local governments.
- Comments must be received by June 16, 2025
Posted: Week of May 19, 2025