Putting Tribal Sovereignty
Summary:
- The Tribal-Interior Budget Council will meet on May 19 and 20, 2026. Registration is closed, but the meeting will be live streamed here: https://www.youtube.com/USIndianAffairs
- IFAI will be watching multiple Congressional hearings this week from the House Natural Resources Committee, as well as the House Appropriations and Senate Indian Affairs Committee.
- On Thursday, May 21, there will be a virtual Forest Service Tribal Forum for Tribal leaders to participate in a feedback session to update the 2026 USFS Draft Tribal Action Plan.
- Recent federal actions include the rescission of a major public lands conservation rule, new SNAP retailer requirements, grant opportunities, and early FY2027 appropriations proposals signaling modest cuts.
- Are you attending NCAI Mid-Year Convention and looking to submit a resolution on food and ag policy? Resolutions are due next week on May 25, 2026, at 11:59pm CT.
General Ag Policy Updates:
- The leader of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Aubrey Bettencourt resigned on May 18, with associate chief Colton Buckley assuming the role.
- USDA has removed 10 lenders from its Rural Development guaranteed loan program, citing noncompliance.
- The House Appropriations process is underway, with a ~3% proposed cut to overall agriculture spending. Congress appears to be rejecting deeper cuts proposed in the President’s budget, especially to ag research.
- A federal court denied a request to block the updated H-2A wage rule, allowing it to remain in effect while litigation continues. The rule changes how wages are calculated by moving away from USDA Farm Labor Survey data and using Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data instead. It also introduces tiered wages based on skill and experience.
- China committed to purchase at least $17 billion annually in U.S. agricultural products through 2028 following the recent summit. The deal includes expanded access for beef and poultry exports, continued large soybean purchase commitments, and progress on tariff reductions and non-tariff barriers.
Outreach Calendar:
General Policy Update:
Tribal Consultation/Listening Sessions/Advisory Committee Meetings:
Title of Event: FDPIR Tribal Leader Consultation Working Group.
About: This is the first meeting of the Consultation Working Group for 2026, covering ongoing topics including program administration and policy updates, food package availability, procurement challenges, and funding levels. The meeting will be held in person with an option for virtual attendance. The agenda will be posted when it is available.
Date(s), Time, and Location:
Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST
NAFDPIR Annual Conference
Sheraton Niagara Falls
300 Third Street
Niagara Falls, NY, USA, 14303
Room TBD
All participants must register by June 22, 2026, HERE
Written comments must be submitted by July 23, 2026, to sm.fn.tribalaffairs@usda.gov
Title of Event: Forest Service Tribal Forum
About: Tribal leaders are invited to participate in a feedback session to update the 2026 USFS Draft Tribal Action Plan, which is based on the Strengthening Tribal Consultations a Nation-to-Nation Relationship: a USDA Forest Service Action Plan. Feedback will be accepted until the Tribal Action Plan’s anticipated publication in the summer of 2026.
Date(s), Time, and Location:
Thursday, May 21, 2026, from noon to 1 p.m. ET
Please register HERE
Title of Event: Tribal Interior Budget Council (TIBC) Tribal Consultations
About: Indian Affairs is holding a two-day in-person consultation with Tribal Nations about budget, strategy, and planning for the FY2028 budget, as well as the future of TIBC.
Date(s), Time, and Location:
Day 1 Tribal Consultation Session on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 9 a.m. EST
- 1849 Street NW, Washington, DC, Yates Auditorium
Registration CLOSED on May 1, 2026
Day 2 TIBC Session on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 9 a.m. EST
- 1849 Street NW, Washington, DC, Yates Auditorium
Registration CLOSED on May 1, 2026
The meeting will be livestreamed HERE for those who wish to listen in.
Feedback about strengthening the TIBC can be provided HERE
OR
You may provide written input in an email, no later than May 20, 2026: TIBCimprovement@bia.gov
Dear Tribal Leader Letter – dated Mar. 16, 2026
Addendum to Dear Tribal Leader Letter – dated Apr. 21, 2026
Title of Event: FDPIR Produce Safety Training
About: This is a 2-day in-person training designed to provide hands-on learning opportunities for FDPIR program operators and staff who are receiving, handling, and storing fresh produce. The training helps Tribes and State agencies properly assess and safely distribute fresh produce to program participants.
Date(s), Time, and Location:
- June 2026 (alongside the NAFDPIR Annual Conference in Niagara Falls, NY): REGISTER.
Congressional Updates:
Looking Back:
Hearing: Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on Tues., May 12, 2026.
Topic: Perspectives on the Fertilizer Industry: Ensuring a stable and affordable supply for American producers.
Highlights:
The hearing framed fertilizer supply as both an economic and national security issue. There was bipartisan agreement on the need for more transparency, increasing domestic production, and supporting farmers facing immediate financial strain.
Read More HERE.
Hearing: Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on Wed., May 13, 2026.
Topic: Full Committee hearing to examine the President’s budget request for the United States Forest Service for Fiscal Year 2027
Highlights:
The hearing highlighted strong bipartisan concern over the Forest Service’s FY27 budget proposal, particularly the elimination of key programs and major restructuring of wildfire and land management functions. While agency leadership emphasized partnerships with Tribes, the proposed elimination of Tribal forestry funding raised significant concerns about reduced federal support for Tribal land management and increased burden on Tribal governments.
Read More HERE.
Hearing: House Committee on Natural Resources on Wed., May 13, 2026.
Topic: Examining the President’s FY 2027 budget request for the Department of Interior
Highlights:
The hearing focused on the Interior Department’s FY27 budget, with lawmakers raising concerns about proposed reductions to Tribal programs, education, and infrastructure, as well as broader agency changes. Interior leadership highlighted priorities such as partnerships, public safety, and economic development in Indian Country, while some Members questioned whether the proposal maintains sufficient federal support for Tribal communities and trust responsibilities.
Read More HERE.
Hearing: Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies on Wed., May 13, 2026.
Topic: A review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget request for the Environmental Protection Agency
Highlights:
The hearing focused on a proposed EPA budget that significantly reduces funding for water infrastructure, environmental programs, and research, while emphasizing efficiency and state-led implementation. Tribal implications include heightened risk for Alaska Native and rural Tribal communities due to cuts in climate resilience, water funding, and environmental justice programs, alongside ongoing but limited support for contaminated land cleanup.
Read more HERE.
Looking Ahead:
Hearing: House Natural Resources Committee on Wed., May 20, 2026 at 10 a.m. ET
Topic: The Federal Reclamation Program’s Next Century
Markup: Senate Indian Affairs Committee on Wed., May 20, 2026 at 2:30 a.m. ET
Topic: Business Meeting to consider several bills & Oversight Hearing to “Examine the President’s Budget Requests for Fiscal Year 2027 for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service”
Hearing: House Natural Resources Committee on Thurs., May 21, 2026 at 10 a.m. ET
Topic:
- H.R. 7695 (Rep. Hageman), “To provide that the final rule titled “Special Areas; Roadless Area Conservation” and issued on January 12, 2001 (66 Fed. Reg. 3244) shall have no force or effect and require the Secretary of Agriculture to construct certain roads on National Forest System lands, and for other purposes.”
- H.R. 8682 (Rep. Downing), “Accelerating Forest Management Act”
- H.R. 8688 (Rep. Hurd), “Forest Health and Wildlife Risk Reduction Act”
Hearing: House Natural Resources Committee on Thurs., May 21, 2026 at 2 p.m. ET
Topic:
- H.R. 1010 (Rep. Leger Fernandez), “Bridging Agency Data Gaps and Ensuring Safety for Native Communities Act” or the “BADGES for Native Communities Act”
- H.R. 7954 (Rep. Hurd), “Don Young Doug LaMalfa Indian Buffalo Management Act”
Markup: House Appropriations Committee on Thurs., May 21, 2026 at 8 a.m. ET
Topic: FY27 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies bill
Nominations:
Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Consultative Committee (NCC)
Description: This committee advises the Secretaries of Commerce and State on issues relevant to the work of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) convention. NAFO is an international fisheries management body focused on coordinating international scientific studies of key marine species in the northwest Atlantic Ocean. NCC seeks nominations from committee members with fishing and/or seafood processing industry experience, marine/fisheries conservation and management experience, and more.
Deadline: Nominations for the committee will be accepted at any time.
Description: The National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) General Conference Committee is accepting nominations for members and alternates from three regions: South Atlantic, West North Central, and South Central. The Committee advises the Secretary of Agriculture on poultry health and plans the NPIP’s conference, which occurs every two years. Members are selected by a majority vote of NPIP delegates from each region.
Deadline: Nominations must be received by June 30, 2026.
Regulatory/Rule Making Actions:
Title: Rescission of Conservation and Landscape Health Rule
- The Bureau of Land Management finalized a rule to repeal the 2024 Conservation and Landscape Health Rule, removing policies that treated conservation as a standalone use of public lands.
- The rescission shifts management back to a multiple-use approach (e.g., energy, grazing, recreation) and eliminates conservation-focused tools the agency said added complexity and restricted land use.
- The rule takes effect June 11, 2026
Posted: Week of May 19, 2026
Read More HERE
Title: Rural Business Cooperative Service opens Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG) for FY26
- USDA published a notice that the RBDG grants are open for applications for FY26.
- Tribal governments are eligible applicants for these grants, which promote economic development and job creation in rural areas. Specific funding amounts and timelines are determined by state, so interested Tribes should check the RD state website relevant to them for that information.
- This publication from USDA notes that future funding opportunities for these grants will no longer be published in the Federal Register, but will be published only on the agency’s website and grants.gov.
Posted: Week of May 19, 2026
Read More HERE
Title: Updated Staple Food Stocking Standards for Retailers in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
- USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service has finalized the SNAP retailer stocking standards rule effective July 7, 2026.
- This final rule requires retailers to carry additional types of food across different categories.
- Although the intent is for SNAP participants to have access to a wider variety of staple foods that are healthier than processed foods, there are concerns that smaller retailers, like convenience stores in Tribal communities, would be unable to meet the increased standards in the dairy and grain food categories.
- SNAP retailers must implement the provisions of this rule no later than November 4, 2026.
Posted: Week of May 11, 2026
Read More HERE
Title: Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children Program; 2026 Benefit Levels
- USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has published a notice informing the public about the annual adjustments to benefit levels in the Summer EBT for Children.
- The adjusted EBT levels reflect the differences between the costs of providing meals and supplements to other geographic areas (e.g., Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam) and the 48 States, Washington, DC, and the ITOs that administer the Program.
- Adjustments reflect changes in the Thrifty Food Plan.
- The monthly benefit for the Summer of 2026 in the 48 States and DC is $120.
- Benefit levels are in effect Jan. 1, 2026, to Dec. 31, 2026.
Posted: Week of Apr. 27, 2026
Read More HERE