Legislative Tracker

The Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative (IFAI) tracks federal legislation that impacts Tribal food and agriculture systems. Bills are categorized by chamber (Senate or House) and by relevant subject areas, with many bills appearing under multiple categories due to their cross-cutting implications.

The tracker includes legislation introduced in key Congressional committees with jurisdiction over Tribal affairs and agriculture, including but not limited to:

Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
House Committee on Agriculture
House Committee on Natural Resources
House Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs

This structure ensures comprehensive coverage of legislative activity affecting Tribal food sovereignty, land use, natural resources, and agricultural development.

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S. 2797

Summary: A bill to amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to provide for a pilot program under which development loans and loan guarantees may be made to beginning farmers and ranchers, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Senator Peter Welch (D-VT)
Latest Action: 09/15/2025- Referred to the Senate Agriculture Committee
Category: Economic Development

S. 2792- Close the Meal Gap Act of 2025

Summary: proposes using the USDA’s low-cost food plan instead of the thrifty plan to calculate SNAP benefits, aiming to better reflect real food costs. It also eliminates time limits for certain recipients, expands deductions for medical and housing expenses, and mandates regular updates to food cost calculations.
Sponsor: Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Latest Action: 09/11/2025 Referred to the Committee on Agriculture
Category: Food and Nutrition

S.2643- Seedlings for Sustainable Habitat Restoration Act of 2025

Summary: The bill aims to support large-scale habitat restoration efforts by expanding the production and planting of native seedlings, particularly in areas affected by climate change, wildfires, and other environmental disturbances.
Indian Country Provisions: This bill includes provisions that directly impact Native American Indian Tribes by authorizing the U.S. Forest Service to enter into contracts, grants, and agreements with Tribal governments for ecosystem restoration activities. These activities include the collection and maintenance of native seeds and the production of seedlings for revegetation, which are critical for restoring lands affected by climate change, wildfires, and other environmental disruptions.
Sponsor: Senator Ben Luján (D-NM)
Latest Action: 08/01/2025
Category: Forestry, Land Stewardship or Conservation

S. 1050 – Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2025

Summary: Establishes a USDA program to fund forest land conservation through grants and easements.
Indian Country Provisions: The bill includes Indian Tribes as eligible participants in the Forest Conservation Easement Program, recognizing various forms of Tribal land ownership and ensuring equitable access to conservation funding and support. It defines Tribal lands broadly and affirms their inclusion in program implementation.
Sponsor: Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Latest Actions: 03/13/2025 – Referred to Senate Agriculture Committee
Category: Forestry, Land Stewardship or Conservation

S. 1462 – Fix Our Forests Act

Summary: Establishes fire shed management areas, a Wildfire Intelligence Center, and expands collaborative forest restoration tools.
Indian Country Provisions: The bill explicitly includes Tribal land in its forest management initiatives, aiming to improve resilience against wildfires. It supports Tribal participation in forest restoration, recognizes Tribal Forest management plans, and includes provisions for Tribal Forest protection and collaboration in wildfire risk reduction and stewardship efforts. Allows for memorandum of understanding between Tribes and the Secretary to allow for shared technology and analysis. Additionally, it recognizes Traditional Ecological Knowledge as part of the best available science that should be considered in analysis.
Sponsor: Senator John Curtis (R-UT)
Latest Actions: 05/06/2025 – Hearings held in Senate Agriculture Committee 04/10/2025 – Referred to Senate Agriculture Committee
Category: Forestry, Land Stewardship or Conservation

S. 1237 – New Producer Economic Security Act

Summary: Creates a grant program to support new farmers, ranchers, and forest owners through the Farm Service Agency.
Indian Country Provisions: The bill includes Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations as eligible entities for support under the New Producer Economic Security Program, ensuring they have access to resources and technical assistance. It also emphasizes outreach and education efforts directed toward Tribal communities to support new and beginning producers.
Sponsor: Senator Tina Smith (D-MN)
Latest Actions: 04/01/2025 – Referred to Senate Agriculture Committee
Category: Economic Development; Forestry, Land Stewardship or Conservation

S. 1431 – School Meal Modernization and Hunger Elimination Act

Summary: Expands school meal eligibility to children placed with caregivers through state or Tribal agencies.
Indian Country Provisions: The bill mandates that schools operated by the Bureau of Indian Education must participate in direct certification of eligible children for free school meals. It also includes Tribal child welfare agencies as recognized authorities for certifying children placed with caregivers, ensuring those children qualify for meal benefits. Additionally, Tribes are eligible for the direct certification of improvement grants and technical assistance. This grant allows for eligible entities to get grants in order to improve their rate of direct certification for the school lunch program. Lastly, allows for grants to be provided to States and Tribal organizations administering the food distribution program on Indian reservations to improve the rate of direct certification for children that are members of a household eligible for the program.
Sponsor: Senator John Fetterman (D-PA)
Latest Actions: 04/10/2025 – Referred to Senate Agriculture Committee
Category: Food and Nutrition

S. 453 – Wildfire Intelligence Collaboration and Coordination Act of 2025

Summary: Establishes a Wildfire Intelligence Center to coordinate federal wildfire response and data.
Indian Country Provisions: The bill establishes a Wildfire Intelligence Center, including Indian Tribes in its scope by recognizing them as key stakeholders in wildfire prevention and response. It ensures that the proposed center will coordinate with Tribal governments alongside federal, state, and local entities to improve wildfire intelligence, data sharing, and risk mitigation strategies.
Sponsor: Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA)
Latest Actions: 02/06/2025 – Referred to Senate Agriculture Committee
Category: Forestry, Land Stewardship or Conservation

S. 1107 – MATCH Act of 2025

Summary: Lists emergency watershed protection measures and allows pre-agreement cost contributions.
Indian Country Provisions: The bill acknowledges the importance of including Tribal governments and organizations in federal agricultural programs and ensures that Tribes are eligible for funding and participation in initiatives aimed at improving food access, nutrition, and agricultural development in underserved communities.
Sponsor: Senator John Curtis (R-UT)
Latest Actions: 03/25/2025 – Referred to Senate Agriculture Committee
Category: Forestry, Land Stewardship or Conservation; Economic Development; Food and Nutrition

S. 1336 – Jobs in the Woods Act

Summary: Creates a grant program for forestry workforce training and placement.
Indian Country Provisions: The bill mentions Tribes in the context of eligibility for forestry workforce development grants. Specifically, it defines an “eligible entity” to include Indian Tribes, alongside nonprofits, states, local governments, and institutions of higher education. This inclusion ensures that Tribal governments can apply for and benefit from federal funding aimed at building forestry-related career pathways in rural and underserved areas.
Sponsor: Senator Angus King (D-ME)
Latest Actions: 04/08/2025 – Referred to Senate Agriculture Committee
Category: Forestry, Land Stewardship or Conservation

S. 670 – Protect the West Act of 2025

Summary: Creates a fund for restoration and resilience projects on federal and nonfederal lands.
Indian Country Provisions: The bill defines “Indian Tribe” as per section 4(e) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act and ensures that Tribes are eligible entities for funding under the Outdoor Restoration Fund. The bill also mandates Tribal consultation for high-priority wildlife habit urgently in need of restoration when applicable to the project and encourages collaboration with Tribal governments in planning and implementing restoration and resilience projects on Tribal lands.
Sponsor: Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO)
Latest Actions: 02/20/2025 – Referred to Senate Agriculture Committee
Category: Forestry, Land Stewardship or Conservation

S. 719 – Tribal Forest Protection Act Amendments Act of 2025

Summary: Expands the 2004 Act to include Indian forest and rangeland; mandates restoration projects and reporting.
Indian Country Provisions: The bill expands Tribal involvement in forest and rangeland management. It broadens the definition of “Indian forest land or rangeland” to include lands held by Alaska Native Corporations and enhances Tribal authority to propose and carry out projects to protect or restore both Tribal and certain federal lands. The bill also facilitates greater collaboration between Tribes and federal agencies in managing natural resources and addressing wildfire risks.
Sponsor: Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
Latest Actions: 05/12/2025 – Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar
03/05/2025 – Reported favorably by Senate Indian Affairs Committee
Category: Forestry, Land Stewardship or Conservation

S. 620 Veterinary Services to Improve Public Health in Rural Communities Act

Summary: To provide public health veterinary services to Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations for rabies prevention, and for other purposes.
Indian Country Provisions: The bill focuses on Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations, authorizing the Indian Health Service to provide public health veterinary services—such as rabies prevention, vaccination, and disease surveillance—through a One Health approach. The bill empowers Tribes to address zoonotic disease threats in their communities and allows funding and coordination with federal entities.
Sponsors/Co-Sponsors: Senator Murkowski, Lisa (R-AK) agencies to support these efforts.
Latest Action: 03/05/2025 Committee on Indian Affairs.
Category: Livestock and Meat Processing; Research and Education

S. 1181 – Tribal Energy Fairness Act of 2025

Summary: Authorizes DOE to support Tribal energy projects, including renewable and transmission infrastructure.
Tribal Specific Provisions: The bill directly supports Tribes by amending the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to enhance the Department of Energy’s Tribal Loan Guarantee Program. It allows the Secretary of Energy to use federal funds to conduct financial and technical assessments for Tribal energy projects—including renewable energy and transmission—on or near Indian lands and explicitly includes projects outside Indian lands if they benefit Tribal communities.
Sponsor: Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI)
Latest Actions:03/27/2025 – Referred to Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
Category: Economic Development

S. 1050 – Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2025

Summary: USDA to provide grants and easements for forest land conservation.
Indian Country Provisions: The bill defines “acreage owned by an Indian Tribe” to include various forms of Tribal land ownership, including trust lands, restricted fee lands, and lands owned by Alaska Native Corporations. The bill also designates Indian Tribes as eligible entities for participation in the Forest Conservation Easement Program, allowing them to receive funding and support for conserving forested lands they own or manage.
Sponsor: Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Latest Actions: 03/13/2025 – Referred to Senate Agriculture Committee
02/07/2025 – Referred to Subcommittee on Forestry
Category: Forestry, Land Stewardship or Conservation

H.R. 3956- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) Act of 2025

Summary/Indian Country Provisions: To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to authorized the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into self-determination contracts and self-governance agreements with Indian entities to administer the food distribution program on Indian reservations.
Sponsor: Representative Frank Lucas (R-OK)
Latest Action: 6/12/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture
Category: Food and Nutrition; Economic Development

H.R. 528 – Post-Disaster Reforestation and Restoration Act of 2025

Summary: Directs DOI to implement reforestation programs after unplanned disturbances, with Tribal and local outreach.
Indian Country Provisions: The bill gives priority projects for reforestation that may be carried out through several avenues including through “contracts established under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.” Outreach activities are expected to be conducted with entities that include Indian Tribes, Alaska Native organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations.
Sponsor: Representative Brittany Pettersen (D-CO)
Latest Actions: 04/29/2025 – Subcommittee Hearings Held
Category: Forestry, Land Stewardship or Conservation

H.R. 3293 – Support Water-Efficient Strategies and Technologies Act of 2025

Summary: Increases payments for drought-resilient practices and defines perennial production systems.
Indian Country Provisions: The bill excludes funding agreements with Tribes from the payment limitation, which states, “A person or legal entity, including a joint venture and general partnership, may not receive, directly or indirectly, payments under the program that, in the aggregate, exceed $200,000 under all contracts entered into during any consecutive 5-year period.”
Sponsor: Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM)
Latest Actions: 05/08/2025 – Referred to House Agriculture Committee
Category: Forestry, Land Stewardship or Conservation

H.R. 3280 – Rural Broadband Modernization Act

Summary: Provides USDA grants and loans for broadband in underserved rural areas.
Indian Country Provisions: The bill states that Tribes are among the eligible entities for assistance “to provide broadband services to a rural area.”
Sponsor: Representative Randy Feenstra (R-IA)
Latest Actions: 05/08/2025 – Referred to Committees on Agriculture and Energy and Commerce
Category: Economic Development

H.R. 2435 – Save Our Small Farms Act of 2025

Summary: Expands eligibility for crop disaster assistance and streamlines USDA application processes.
Indian Country Provisions: The bill requires that Tribes are included among the 50 States where the covered policy shall be made available.
Sponsor: Representative Jahana Hayes (D-CT)
Latest Actions: 04/18/2025 – Referred to Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities
Category: Insurance

H.R. 3119 – ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2025

Summary: USDA to fund broadband projects in areas with 75% lacking 100 Mbps service.
Indian Country Provisions: The bill states that Tribal organizations are among the entities eligible to receive assistance through a grant only award. Tribes are also able to receive a grant, loan, or a grant and loan combination.
Sponsor: Representative Zach Nunn (R-IA)
Latest Actions: 04/30/2025 – Referred to Committees on Agriculture, Energy and Commerce, and Appropriations
Category: Insurance

H.R. 1904 – Improving Coordination of Agriculture Research and Data Act

Summary: Establishes climate advisory committee and climate data network within USDA.
Indian Country Provisions: The bill states that Indian Tribes are among the entities that shall be included in Rural Climate Alliance Network. Any effort by Indian Tribes in support of climate change adaptation, mitigation, and risk management will be included in the report to Congress. The report will also include the impacts of climate change challenges experienced by Indian Tribes.
Sponsor: Representative Julia Brownley (D-CA)
Latest Actions: 03/28/2025 – Referred to Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology
Category: Forestry, Land Stewardship or Conservation

H.R. 302 – Water Rights Protection Act of 2025

Summary: Prohibits federal agencies from conditioning land use permits on water rights transfers.
Indian Country Provisions: The bill states that water rights of federally recognized Indian Tribes are included in this bill. Tribes are among the entities that the Federal agencies cannot require individuals or organizations to apply for or obtain a water right in the name of the United States under state law as a condition for receiving or renewing any land use permit or agreement.
Sponsor: Representative Celeste Maloy (R-UT)
Latest Actions: 02/14/2025 – Referred to Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology
Category: Forestry, Land Stewardship or Conservation

H.R. 582 – Community Protection and Wildfire Resilience Act

Summary: Directs FEMA to fund community wildfire resilience plans, focusing on vulnerable populations and infrastructure.
Indian Country Provisions: The bill states that Tribes are among the entities eligible to be coordinated with in developing a community protection and wildfire resilience plan, developing a Defensible Space Project, and may providing the matching funds for the cost-sharing requirement.
Sponsor: Representative Jared Huffman (R-CA)
Latest Actions: 01/21/2025 – Referred to Committees on Science, Natural Resources, and Agriculture
Category: Forestry, Land Stewardship or Conservation

H.R. 168 – TORCH Act

Summary: Requires USDA to streamline hazard tree removal and allows timber use under good neighbor agreements.
Indian Country Provisions: The bill removes the term Indian Tribe from the definition of “Governor.” “Indian Tribe” is inserted into a paragraph that lists entities that the Secretary may enter into a Good Neighbor Authority agreement with.
Sponsor: Representative Doug LaMalfa (R-CA)
Latest Actions:04/04/2025 – Referred to Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture
Category: Forestry, Land Stewardship or Conservation

H.R. 2405 – The White Oak Resilience Act

Summary: Establishes a coalition to restore white oak forests through pilot projects in national forests.
Indian Country Provisions: The bill includes the term “Indian Tribe” in the definition section as its own entity and that the term ‘Governor’ can also mean an executive official of an Indian Tribe. In conducting White Oak research, the Secretary may enter into an MOU with an Indian Tribe and the Tribe may consult with other entities (e.g. States, nonprofit organizations) as the memorandum determines as appropriate.
Sponsor: Representative Andy Barr (R-KY)
Latest Actions: 04/18/2025 – Referred to Subcommittees on Conservation and Forestry
Category: Forestry, Land Stewardship or Conservation

H.R. 1459 – Protect the West Act of 2025

Summary: Establishes a fund for grants to improve forest, grassland, and watershed health.
Indian Country Provisions: The bill states that an Indian Tribe may request in writing to the Secretary to designate federal or non-federal land for restoration and resilience projects. It also mandates the Secretary engage in Tribal consultation on designations of a high-priority wildlife habitat in urgent need of restoration. Within 60 days after the date of the enactment of the Protect the West Act, the Secretary shall submit a Congressional report that includes the “allocation of funds to States, forests, and Indian Tribes.”
Sponsor: Representative Jason Crow (D-CO)
Latest Actions: 03/20/2025 – Referred to Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology
Category: Forestry, Land Stewardship or Conservation

H.R. 2236 – Healthy Foods for Native Seniors Act

Summary: Establishes a demonstration project under which one or more Tribal entities may purchase food commodities under self-determination contracts.
Indian Country Provisions: The bill contains definitions of Indian Reservation, Indian Tribe, Tribal entity, and Tribal organization in terms of the Secretary’s actions to establish and implement the Commodity Supplemental Food Program Demonstration Project for Tribal Organizations.
Sponsor: Representative Gabe Vasquez (D-NM)
Latest Actions: 04/18/2025 – Referred to Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture
Category: Food and Nutrition

H.R. 775 – No Net Gain in Federal Lands Act of 2025

Summary: Limits federal land acquisitions and requires land transfers to states.
Indian Country Provisions: The bill alters the definition of “Federal land” to exclude land, water, and interests “held by an Indian Tribe or individual Indian subject to a restriction by the Federal Government against alienation.”
Sponsor: Representative Harriet Hageman (R-WY)
Latest Actions: 01/28/2025 – Referred to Committees on Natural Resources and Agriculture
Category: Forestry, Land Stewardship or Conservation

H.R. 2026 – EMBER Act

Summary: Establishes a fuels management initiative along the U.S.-Mexico border to reduce wildfire risk.
Indian Country Provisions: The bill changes the term “covered Federal lands” to exclude Federal lands held in trust for Indian Tribes.
Sponsor: Representative Ken Calvert (R-CA)
Latest Actions: 04/04/2025 – Referred to Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture
Category: Forestry, Land Stewardship or Conservation

H.R. 2536 – New Producer Economic Security Act

Summary: Provides grants to support new producers through the Farm Service Agency.
Indian Country Provisions: The bill identifies Indian Tribe, Tribal organizations, and “Native community development financial institution certified by the Secretary of the Treasury” as eligible entities to receive the grants.
Sponsor: Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-IL)
Latest Actions: 04/18/2025 – Referred to Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities
Category: Economic Development

H.R. 2883 – NO TIME TO Waste Act

Summary: Establishes an Office of Food Loss and Waste at USDA to research and reduce food waste.
Indian Country Provisions: The bill will “establish model policies for municipal, local State, and Tribal governments,” as well as identify Tribal governments as entities with whom the Secretary can enter into cooperative agreements related to the Composting and Food Waste Reduction Program. Tribal governments are also eligible to receive grants related to the promotion and formation of public-private partnerships on food loss and waste.
Sponsor: Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME)
Latest Actions: 04/10/2025 – Referred to Committees on Agriculture and Oversight
Category: Food and Nutrition

H.R. 4957- Rural Housing Service Reform Act of 2025

Summary: This bill is a comprehensive reform of rural housing programs administrated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Indian Country Provisions: Title IV- Rural Community Development Initiative Grants, Sec. 3810 Rural Community Development Initiative defines federally recognized Indian Tribes as eligible entities.
Sponsor: Representative Zachary Nunn (R-IA)
Latest Action: 08/12/25- Referred to the Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Agriculture.
Category: Economic Development

H.R. 4939 SNAP Study Act of 2025

Summary: This bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to submit an annual report to Congress on the state of food security and diet quality in the United States, including the impact of changes to the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP), and to provide policy recommendations for improving nutrition outcomes for both participants and nonparticipants.
Sponsor: Representative Keith Self (R-TX)
Latest Action: 08/08/2025- Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture
Category: Food and Nutrition

H.R. 4947 No Discrimination in Farm Programs Act

Summary: This bill will prohibit the use of race-based or sex-based criteria in the administration of certain Department of Agriculture programs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Representative Jodey Arrington (R-TX)
Latest Action: 8/12/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture
Category: Uncategorized

H.R. 5515- To amend the Indian Trust Asset Reform Act

Summary: proposes amendments to the Indian Trust Asset Reform Act to expand tribal authority over trust asset management and clarify eligibility for federal funding.
Sponsor: Representative Jeff Hurd (R-CO)
Latest Action: 09/19/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources
Category: Forestry, Land Stewardship or Conservation

H.R. 3889- National Prescribed Fire Act of 2025

Summary/ Indian Country Provisions: The bill explicitly acknowledges and supports the long-standing use of cultural burning by Indian Tribes and Indigenous practitioners. It encourages cooperative agreements and contracts between state, federal, local, and Tribal governments. This bill would make Tribes eligible for funding under the Collaborative Prescribed Fire Program to support planning, implementation, and training.
Sponsor: Representative Kim Schrier (D-WA)
Latest Action: 6/10/25 Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Energy and Commerce.
Category: Forestry, Land Stewardship or Conservation

H.R. 471 – Fix Our Forests Act (FOFA)

Summary: Designates fire shed management areas, establishes a registry, and authorizes wildfire risk reduction actions. A forest management plan in relation to Indian forest land or rangeland is considered a forest plan for this Act.
Indian Country Provisions: The bill mentions Tribes and Tribal governments in definitions of entities such as “Governor”, “Hazardous Fuels Management Activities”, or “Designation of fire shed Management Areas” to eligibilities to enter into an MOU with the fire shed center and conducting fire shed assessments.
Sponsor: Representative Bruce Westerman (R-AR)
Latest Actions: PASSED HOUSE 03/06/2025 – Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources 01/28/2025 – Received in Senate
Category: Forestry, Land Stewardship or Conservation

H.R. 635 – WaterSMART Access for Tribes Act

Summary/ Indian Country Provisions: The bill allows the Department of Interior (DOI) to waive or reduce nonfederal cost shares for Tribal infrastructure projects.
Sponsor: Representative Melanie Stansbury (D-NM)
Latest Actions:01/22/2025 – Referred to House Natural Resources Committee
Category: Economic Development

H.R. 3444 – Tribal Self-Determination and Co-Management in Forestry Act of 2025

Summary/ Indian Country Provisions: The bill requires federal land management agencies to develop Tribal co-management plans. The act includes provisions on things such as Tribal knowledge and practices training for DOI staff, allowable activities, payments to Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations, and Congressional report.
Sponsor: Representative Jared Huffman (R-CA)
Latest Actions:
06/10/2025 – Subcommittee Hearings Held
06/03/2025 – Referred to Subcommittee on Federal Lands
05/15/2025 – Referred to Committees on Natural Resources and Agriculture
Category: Forestry, Land Stewardship or Conservation