This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning tribal affairs, the BIA, reservation lands, tribal statistical areas, and treaty rights. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Dates: 2026-03-22 to 2026-03-28

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

BIA to Renew Water Request Information Collection for Irrigation Services

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has initiated the process to extend the Water Request information collection under OMB Control Number 1076-0141. The collection is necessary for managing irrigation projects operated by BIA, including billing, eligibility determination for fee waivers, and identification of irrigable lands. It is used to collect customer information required by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996. The notice, published on March 26, invites public comment until April 27, 2026. An estimated 13,438 respondents submit 35,941 responses annually with a total burden of 17,981 hours. No public comments were received during the previous 60-day period, and respondents are required to provide the information to obtain service benefits.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

HHS Proposes Amendments to Native American Programs Act Regulations

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), issued a proposed rule to amend regulations governing Native American programs (45 CFR Part 1336). The proposal seeks to remove unnecessary or outdated regulations, transferring certain program details to sub-regulatory guidance such as Notices of Funding Opportunity. Provisions affected include program purpose, eligibility, grant requirements, and evaluation standards. The proposed changes are deregulatory, have no significant economic impact, and eliminate references to the defunct Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund. The rule is open for public comment until April 27, 2026, and HHS will conduct tribal consultations as applicable. If finalized, changes will take effect 30 days after publication.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

BIE Seeks Renewal for Johnson-O'Malley Act Education Contracts Information Collection

The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) proposes to renew its information collection for education contracts under the Johnson-O'Malley (JOM) Act and related regulations. The collection supports program management, fund distribution, and accountability, involving annual report forms and contract proposal applications with approximately 1,384 respondents and an estimated 10,360 annual burden hours. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction requested user-friendly data entry, and BIE responded with a commitment to process improvements. Comments on necessity, accuracy, clarity, and burden minimization are requested by April 27, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

VA Renews Native American Direct Loan Processing Information Collection

The Veterans Affairs Department has published a notice regarding the proposed extension of information collection for Native American Direct Loan (NADL) processing requirements. The NADL program enables Native American veterans to apply for home loan benefits to purchase, construct, and improve dwellings on trust lands, or refinance to lower interest rates. The information collected verifies tribal membership and land ownership. Estimated annual burden is 1,721 hours for 737 respondents. Public comments are due by May 26, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

BLM Proposes Extension of Information Collection for Alaska Native Vietnam-Era Veterans Allotments

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking renewal of an information collection for Alaska Native Vietnam-Era Veterans Allotments under OMB Control Number 1004-0216. The collection, authorized by the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, supports allotment application and data gathering. An estimated 1,265 respondents submit annually, with total burden hours of 3,828 and an annual non-hour cost of $55,000. Public comments are welcome by May 26, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Senate Bill 4276: Reauthorization of Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act

S. 4276 seeks to reauthorize the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996. The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs on March 26, 2026. Reauthorization would continue support for tribal housing initiatives.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Senate Bill 4179: Equitable Distribution of Child Abuse Prevention Funds to Indian Tribes

S. 4179 proposes amending the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to include equitable distribution of assistance to Indian Tribes and tribal organizations. The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Sources: www.congress.gov

House Bill 8048: Equitable Distribution of Child Abuse Prevention Funds to Tribes

H.R. 8048, companion to S. 4179, aims to amend the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to require equitable allocation to Indian Tribes and tribal organizations. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Sources: www.congress.gov

House Bill 8042: Aid to Socially Disadvantaged Women Farmers and Ranchers

H.R. 8042 would amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to expand outreach and assistance for women farmers and ranchers deemed socially disadvantaged. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Senate Bill 5694: ARTIST Act

S. 5694, titled the ARTIST Act, addresses matters pertaining to Native American communities in the arts sector. Subcommittee hearings were held, and further legislative action is pending.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• California Natural Resources Agency Hosts Discussion on Advancing Tribal Data Sovereignty for Tribal Stewardship: The California Natural Resources Agency convened a session on tribal data sovereignty for stewardship efforts.

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