H.R. 9425: Increasing Tribal Input on Nutrition Act of 2026

This bill would change two federal nutrition programs that serve Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations.

Food distribution program on Indian reservations

For the food distribution program on Indian reservations, the bill would require the Agriculture Secretary to:

• consult with Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations before evaluating contracts for the program;
• use Tribal feedback in that evaluation process;
• recognize and define certain food shortages as supply chain disruptions, including problems tied to warehouse issues that affect buying, making, transporting, storing, or sourcing food; and
• respond to a disruption by naming an emergency warehouse contractor within 45 days after making that determination.

The bill would also allow the Secretary to provide direct payments or reimbursements to Tribes or Tribal organizations so they can buy food themselves during a disruption, up to the amount the federal government would otherwise spend for that program during that period. Any food bought with those funds would generally have to be domestically produced, replace rather than add to existing food package items, and be similar or better in nutritional value, unless waived by the Secretary.

If an emergency warehouse contractor is designated, the Secretary would have to notify affected Tribes or State agencies and make the designation and explanation publicly available on the Department of Agriculture website.

Commodity Supplemental Food Program

For the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, the bill would require the Secretary to run the program in a way that better reflects Tribal needs by holding annual consultations with Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations.

It would also encourage State agencies that want to amend their program plans to consult in good faith with affected Tribes or Tribal organizations before filing the amendment and to include documentation showing that consultation happened.

In addition, the bill would direct USDA to give technical assistance to State agencies on how to do these consultations properly, including how to provide notice, make sure Tribal officials are involved, and share a collaborative agenda ahead of time.

The bill would also add a supply-chain-disruption process to this program similar to the one described above: if USDA determines there is a disruption, it must designate an emergency warehouse contractor within 45 days, then notify affected Tribes or State agencies and post the decision and explanation publicly.

Practical effect

Overall, the bill is aimed at increasing Tribal input in how these food programs are administered and creating clearer federal procedures for handling food shortages or warehouse problems that interrupt service.

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