June 14, 2026 to June 20, 2026

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.

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• House Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture Hearing on National Forest System Partnerships: The House Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture will hold a hearing titled "Reviewing Partnerships to Enhance Management of the National Forest System" on June 25, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in Longworth House Office Building, Room 1300.

Federal Government News

HHS Final Rule: Reducing Bureaucracy and Burden for Native American Programs

The Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, released a final rule on June 18 to rescind multiple unnecessary and obsolete regulations under the Native American Programs Act. Regulatory changes affect 25 sections encompassing grants to American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Native American Pacific Islanders. This deregulatory action aims to simplify grant administration, transferring technical and prescriptive requirements from regulation into sub-regulatory documents such as Notices of Funding Opportunity. The action followed a 30-day comment period; HHS received input from Tribal groups, Alaska Native villages, non-profits, and a state agency. Core statutory requirements remain unchanged and the removal of duplicative regulatory text is intended to clarify guidance, especially for smaller and remote Tribes. The Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund demonstration project regulations were removed due to lack of appropriations since FY2001. Tribal consultation requirements were reviewed, but as this is a deregulatory action, it does not trigger a formal consultation per OMB guidance, although ACF remains committed to engaging Tribes where practicable.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

HHS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Reducing Bureaucracy and Burden for Child Support Enforcement Programs

The Administration for Children and Families proposed to rescind numerous Child Support Enforcement regulations to eliminate duplicate and obsolete language across nine parts. Major affected areas include State Plan Approval and Grant Procedures, Standards for Program Operations, Tribal Child Support Enforcement, and Computerized Tribal IV-D Systems. The NPRM aims to reduce regulatory confusion and clarifies reliance on statutory requirements. Tribal-specific IV-D provisions will now primarily reference enabling statutes rather than duplicative regulatory language. The proposed rule, in alignment with recent executive orders on deregulation, is significant under Executive Order 12866 but is not expected to change underlying program operations for Tribal entities. Public comments are open until July 20, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USDA: Notice of Intent for Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement on Grasshopper and Mormon Cricket Suppression Program

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced the intent to prepare a new programmatic environmental impact statement covering grasshopper and Mormon cricket suppression in 17 western states. The PEIS will assess biological, physical, and sociocultural impacts, including the effect on Tribal lands and resources and specifies an active Tribal consultation engagement per recent executive and statutory requirements. Among the action alternatives, the agency plans to analyze the continued use of integrated pest management, chemical and biopesticidal controls, as well as alternatives without insecticide application. The proposed PEIS will replace the 2019 document, with a projected completion date in August 2027. Public comment is open through July 20, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Education Department: Extensions for American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program

The Department of Education finalized waivers and extensions for 43 American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS) projects and one American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Training and Technical Assistance Center (AIVRTTAC) grant. Project periods, typically limited to five years, were extended by one year to September 30, 2027, to maintain continuity for existing vocational rehabilitation services. Grant recipients must demonstrate capacity for continuation, with performance and compliance reviewed according to regulatory criteria. Comments in the notice period showed general support for extensions, citing ongoing program delivery. Extensions do not add regulatory burdens, and future competitions for eligible applicants may be held subject to appropriations.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Interior Department: Tribal Consultation Statement and Request for Comment on Wilderness Administration Guidance

The Fish and Wildlife Service issued a request for information regarding improvements to Part 610 of its Service Manual governing wilderness stewardship. This includes policy direction for review, planning, and administration of wilderness areas managed by the Service. The request specifically invites Tribal agencies and governments to provide recommendations or concerns ahead of proposed updates to the stewardship policy. This action is separate from the concurrent draft guidance on recreational climbing and climbing installations in wilderness, which includes terms relevant to Tribal lands designated as wilderness.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Bill 4832: Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Amendment for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance

Introduced to amend the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, this bill would enable the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into self-determination contracts with Tribes and Tribal organizations for the administration of supplemental nutrition assistance programs. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs as of June 18, 2026.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 4785: Indian Self-Determination Amendment for Food Distribution on Indian Reservations

This bill would permit the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into self-determination contracts with Tribal organizations to manage the Food Distribution Program on Indian reservations. The latest action, as of June 15, is referral to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 4811: Food Security Act Amendment Covering Indian Tribes for Priority Resource Concerns

Introduced June 17, this bill would amend the Food Security Act to expressly include Indian Tribes in provisions related to priority resource concerns. It was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 4813: Authorization of 99-Year Leases for Tribal Trust Lands

This bill would authorize leases of up to 99 years for land held in trust for federally recognized Tribes. The bill was read twice and sent to the Committee on Indian Affairs on June 17, 2026.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 4779: Support for Indigenous Self-Determination and Agricultural Innovation

This bill combines support for nutrition, farmers, seafood industry, agricultural research, wood energy, and indigenous self-determination. It was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry as of June 15.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Native Americans mark the US 250th with pride, pain and patriotism: Commemorating the US 250th, Native Americans reflect on historical legacies and ongoing efforts for recognition.
• A conflict over cattle in Brazil’s Amazon highlights tensions for Indigenous peoples: Indigenous communities in Brazil face disputes over cattle and land rights amid conservation and development pressures.

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