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: 2026-03-01 to 2026-03-07

📋 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

• Senate Indian Affairs Committee: Oversight Hearings on Indian Water Rights Settlements: The Senate Indian Affairs Committee will hold oversight hearings on March 11, 2026, to examine federal policies on Indian water rights settlements, including S.953 for the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe. The meeting will take place in Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 628.

Federal Government News

Executive Order: Combating Cybercrime, Fraud, and Predatory Schemes

President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order on March 6, 2026, targeting cybercrime and predatory schemes against American citizens. The order mandates a review of frameworks to combat transnational criminal organizations involved in cyber-enabled crimes and requires a federal action plan within 120 days. An operational cell will be established at the National Coordination Center to strengthen interagency efforts and information sharing. Prosecution of cyber-enabled fraud is to be prioritized by the Attorney General, and the Department of Homeland Security is instructed to support state, local, tribal, and territorial partners. A Victim Restoration Program is proposed to provide restitution to victims using seized funds. International engagement includes potential sanctions and trade penalties for countries tolerating predatory activities. The order is subject to legal and budgetary constraints and does not grant enforceable rights.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

USDA Tribal Advisory Committee: Solicitation of Nominations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has reopened its call for nominations to fill three vacancies on the Tribal Advisory Committee. This body, established under the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, advises the Secretary of Agriculture on Tribal and Indian Affairs and comprises 11 members. Nominees should have expertise in agriculture, forestry, or Tribal leadership. Eligible nominators include Indian tribes, Tribal organizations, and relevant national or regional groups. Applications require a nomination letter, resume, and Background Information Form (AD-755). The deadline for submissions is March 31, 2026. USDA confirms equal opportunity practices in all appointments, and questions may be directed to Josiah Griffin, Designated Federal Officer.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Tribal TANF Research: Proposed Information Collection

The Department of Health and Human Services, through the Administration for Children and Families, is proposing a new information collection activity to assess Tribal TANF program operations and data reporting challenges. The effort targets Tribal leaders, TANF staff, and participants via talking circles, surveys, interviews, and direct observations. The collected data will inform changes to reporting requirements and technical assistance guidance. The public comment period runs until May 4, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

BIA Lease and Permit Data Collection Renewal

The Bureau of Indian Affairs is seeking public comment regarding the renewal of its information collection for leases and permits under 25 CFR part 162. This action will enable the continued processing of applications for lease modifications, assignments, subleases, and related documentation for trust and restricted Indian land. The notice details estimated respondent numbers and burden, with a 60-day comment period open until April 2, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Quarterly Status Report: Tribal Water Service Contracts

The Bureau of Reclamation published its quarterly report on water service, repayment, and other water-related contract actions across five Reclamation regions. Notable entries include a new water entitlement assignment to the Hualapai Tribe and a storage agreement for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. The report outlines completed, new, and modified contract actions, procedures for public comment, and details capital recovery and project resource management for Tribal water users.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Long-Term Leasing Act Amendment—Mashpee Wampanoag and Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah)

Bill 681 aims to amend the Act of August 9, 1955, allowing leases up to 99 years for land in the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation and land held in trust for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah). The measure has been received in the Senate, read twice, and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Unrecognized Southeast Alaska Native Communities Recognition and Compensation Act

Bill 41, focused on recognition and compensation for unrecognized Southeast Alaska Native communities, has been ordered to be reported in the nature of a substitute (amended) by unanimous consent in the House.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Reversionary Interest Conveyance Act

Bill 952 addresses public lands and natural resources concerning reversionary interests. The House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources ordered the bill to be reported without amendment favorably.

Sources: www.congress.gov

ACRES Act

Bill 204, titled the ACRES Act, relates to public lands and natural resources. It has been ordered to be reported without amendment favorably by the House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Apache County and Navajo County Conveyance Act of 2025

Bill 1829 concerns the conveyance of public lands in Apache and Navajo Counties. The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources has ordered the legislation to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Northern Cheyenne Tribe reclaims cultural belongings from the University of Montana: The Northern Cheyenne Tribe received repatriated cultural artifacts from the University of Montana under recent repatriation efforts.
• With only 3 women left, an Amazon tribe faced extinction. An unexpected birth now brings hope: The Akuntsu tribe in Brazil, once on the edge of extinction, welcomed an unexpected birth sparking optimism for their future.

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