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.

Dates: 2026-02-08 to 2026-02-14

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates

Federal Government News

BIA Proposes Renewal of Indian Self-Determination Information Collection

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has published a notice to renew information collection requirements for the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act Programs, as outlined by the Paperwork Reduction Act. The proposal covers contracting or compacting with Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations for programs including law enforcement, social services, and Tribal priority allocation. The renewal would continue to require approximately 567 respondents to provide 7,063 annual responses, resulting in a total annual burden of 127,127 hours. No changes are planned for the data collection process, and public comments regarding necessity, accuracy, and burden minimization are accepted until March 13, 2026. Comments may be made public and should be submitted through the OIRA website. The Office of Indian Services, Division of Self-Determination, remains the principal entity managing this collection.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

OCSE Proposes Changes to Tribal Budget and Narrative Justification Template

The Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Department of Health and Human Services, seeks renewal of the Tribal Budget and Narrative Justification Template, used for expenditure estimates in tribal child support programs. Proposed edits include updated citations from 45 CFR part 75 to 2 CFR part 200, improved examples in the Excel sample budget, and fixes to formula errors. The Word and Excel 1115 Waiver versions will not be renewed, and the template remains optional. Participating tribes submit annual budget forms by August 1, with an estimated annual burden of 1,008 hours across 63 respondents. Public comments are requested by April 13, 2026, with authority cited under 45 CFR 309.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NAGPRA Inventory Completion: University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist

The University of Iowa's Office of the State Archaeologist Bioarchaeology Program has completed an inventory of human remains and 20 funerary objects, recovered in 1954 in Clinton County, Iowa. The remains—covering 13 individuals, including adults and juveniles—were transferred to the office in March 2023 following the death of collector Jim Pilgrim. Cultural affiliation is established with 27 Indian Tribes, among them the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Ho-Chunk Nation, and Pawnee Nation. Repatriation requests may be submitted by identified Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, or eligible lineal descendants, with repatriation possible after March 13, 2026, in compliance with NAGPRA regulations. OSA is responsible for resolving competing requests and notifying parties.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NAGPRA Inventory Completion: University at Buffalo, SUNY, Department of Anthropology

The Department of Anthropology at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York, has finalized an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects under NAGPRA. Four individuals’ remains and two objects—pottery sherds and soil—from Davenport Farm, Ulster County, New York, were recovered mid-20th century. The site is affiliated with the Delaware Nation, Delaware Tribe of Indians, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, and Stockbridge Munsee Community. Repatriation may commence after March 13, 2026, with requests from eligible Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, or lineal descendants. The university will handle competing claims, and the action follows requirements under 25 U.S.C. 3003 and 43 CFR 10.10.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NAGPRA: University of Alabama at Birmingham Inventory Completion and Repatriation Notices

The University of Alabama at Birmingham has completed inventory and repatriation notices under NAGPRA for five individuals and 101 funerary objects from St. Clair County, Alabama. The items, dating from Early Archaic to Late Woodland/Early Mississippian periods, were excavated between 1978 and 1998 and are culturally affiliated with the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Seminole Tribe of Florida, Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and Thlopthlocco Tribal Town. Written requests for repatriation are accepted until at least March 13, 2026. University procedures govern resolution of competing claims and notifications.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

LASSO Act

The House Subcommittee held hearings on the LASSO Act, addressing issues related to public lands and natural resources. The bill remains under active consideration, and its latest action consisted of subcommittee hearings.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Reversionary Interest Conveyance Act

H.R. 952, the Reversionary Interest Conveyance Act, was discussed in the House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Recent hearings examined matters regarding federal land interests and conveyances as part of the bill's legislative progression.

Sources: www.congress.gov

ACRES Act

The ACRES Act, H.R. 204, was presented at subcommittee hearings within the House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The bill focuses on public lands and natural resource management, with ongoing discussion in recent committee sessions.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Apache County and Navajo County Conveyance Act of 2025

House Bill 1829 underwent hearings in the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. The legislation involves conveyance and management provisions concerning Apache County and Navajo County, and has proceeded through the hearing process.

Sources: www.congress.gov