H.R. 10205: Rural Economic-development Assistance and Consultation to Help Our Tribes Act

This bill would require the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to create a formal process for regular consultation with Tribal Governments about USDA budget requests and multi-year reauthorization bills, such as farm bills, that affect USDA programs. USDA would have to give Tribal Governments at least 30 days’ notice before these consultations and create a way to report what was discussed, what comments were received, and what USDA plans to do in response.

The consultation process would not be limited only to programs specifically designed for Tribes; it could also cover broader USDA programs that may affect Tribal Governments or Tribal entities. The bill also makes clear that USDA could continue holding other consultations required by law or use other consultation practices.

Within 12 months of enactment, the Secretary of Agriculture would have to send Congress a report explaining how the consultation process was created and describing it in detail.

The bill would also require USDA and its Office of Tribal Relations, working with Tribal Governments, to set up a plan to analyze and publicly report how much funding is available through USDA programs that Tribal entities can apply for. As part of that effort, USDA would be expected to identify ways to improve access to those programs, including more outreach and technical assistance for programs that Tribal entities do not use much.

In addition, the bill would define several terms used in the new consultation and reporting requirements, including “Tribal entity,” “Tribal Government,” “Tribal organization,” “Urban Indian organization,” and “1994 Institution.”

The bill would also create a USDA-led interagency task force, in consultation with the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration, to review guidance and application requirements for economic development programs and to develop agreements that reduce paperwork and planning burdens for applicants and agencies. The task force would look for ways to align planning and engagement requirements, issue joint guidance, and regularly update these agreements to reduce duplication and improve coordination.

Separately, the Commerce Secretary, working with the Office of Native American Business Development, would have to create and maintain a public repository of federal economic development programs available to Tribal entities. This repository would be meant to make it easier to find relevant programs, improve use of those programs, and help federal offices assist Tribal entities. The working group building the repository would include representatives from several federal agencies, and the repository would have to be reviewed and updated at least every two years.

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