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.

Want to see GR activities in areas related to Tribal Affairs? Don't miss this week's updates in Social Issues and Environment. Also consider subscribing to our Indigenous Affairs - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

Dates: 2026-04-05 to 2026-04-11

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Federal Government News

HHS Proposes Streamlined Requirements for Tribal Use of Child Care and Development Fund for Facilities

The Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has requested public comment on an updated proposal for Tribal Lead Agencies to use Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) funds for the construction or major renovation of child care facilities. The proposed changes reduce the burden for Tribal Lead Agencies, lowering the estimated hours per response from 20 to 6, and eliminate five requirements from the previous version. The Program Instruction has also been reorganized for consistency and readability. ACF estimates that approximately 20 requests will be received annually from 266 eligible Tribal Lead Agencies. Comments are due by May 11, 2026. The notice updates how requests for facility construction may be initiated by Tribal entities using CCDF allocations.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Department of the Interior Issues Multiple NAGPRA Repatriation Notices

The U.S. Department of the Interior, via the National Park Service, published a series of Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) notices during the last week. Notices include inventory completions and intended repatriation for human remains and cultural items held by a range of institutions, including Case Western Reserve University (Navajo Nation), University of Missouri (Osage Nation), University of Texas at Austin (Ysleta del Sur Pueblo), Kansas State Historical Society (Kaw Nation and Shawnee Tribe), Sonoma State University (Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians), University of California, Berkeley (Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians), and the Bruce Museum Inc. (Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation), among others. Several notices involve the Department of the Navy, primarily related to repatriations involving Luiseno tribes, Chumash, and other California tribal entities. Notices specify the process for requestors, conditions of associated funerary objects, and timelines for potential repatriation, generally on or after May 11, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, SOURCE NOT FOUND

Treasury Opens Applications for Secretary’s Appointments to Tribal Advisory Committee

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has issued a call for qualified applicants for three Secretary-appointed positions on the Treasury Tribal Advisory Committee (TTAC), as mandated by the Tribal General Welfare Exclusion Act of 2014. The committee provides advice on Native American tax issues, IRS field agent training, and technical assistance for Tribal financial officers. Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, and agree to an IRS tax compliance check and a background review. Applications are due by May 29, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. AKT. Members serve four-year terms, and the notice details requirements for service, including exclusions for federally-registered lobbyists.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USDA Solicits Comments for Extension of Tribal Scholars Program

The Department of Agriculture’s Office of Tribal Relations has announced a request for extension of their approved information collection for the USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program. The program aims to support students at 1994 Land-Grant Institutions pursuing degrees in food, agriculture, and natural resources. Eligibility requirements, application components, and reporting standards are restated, with the estimated total annual burden for respondents at 663 hours. Public comments are being accepted through June 8, 2026, by mail or via regulations.gov, addressing ways to minimize reporting burden and improve utility. The program provides scholarships and paid internships to eligible high school and college students and recent graduates.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Department of Education Opens Comment Period for Native American Language Grant Collection

The Department of Education’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education has published a notice regarding extension of the Native American Language (NAL@ED) grant application package. The notice requests public comment by May 11, 2026, on information collection for the existing program, which supports grants to state, local, and Tribal entities for Native language revitalization and instruction. Annual estimates project 50 responses and 1,500 burden hours. Comments will inform future directions for the discretionary grant information process. Forms and supporting documents are available for public review and comment via reginfo.gov.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

To amend Public Health Service Act to require community health centers to provide behavioral and mental health and substance use disorder services, and for other purposes.

Bill 8201, which would require community health centers to offer behavioral and mental health and substance use disorder services, was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The measure awaits further action in committee.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Western South Dakota Water Supply Project Feasibility Study Act

The Western South Dakota Water Supply Project Feasibility Study Act (Bill 7288), focused on water resources development, has been referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries. The bill calls for a feasibility study on water supply in the region.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Judge rejects plea agreement in case of missing Navajo elder Ella Mae Begay: Federal judge denies a plea deal in the case of Navajo elder Ella Mae Begay, missing since 2021.
• Investors push for action to end deforestation and human rights risks in nickel mining: Investors call for policy changes addressing deforestation and human rights issues in global nickel mining supply chains.
• In Brazil’s capital, Indigenous leaders rally as land disputes and mining pressures grow: Indigenous leaders gather in Brasília to protest ongoing land disputes and increased mining pressure in the Amazon.

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