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2024 Federal Register Documents

Last reviewed: June 26, 2024

Recently Added Content:

FINAL RULE
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
(6/24/24)

Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2024 Harvest Specifications for Pacific Whiting and 2024 Pacific Whiting Tribal Allocation
89 FR 52398

SUMMARY: This rule implements the domestic 2024 harvest specifications for Pacific whiting fisheries off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California (collectively, the West Coast), including the 2024 Tribal allocation for the Pacific whiting fishery, the non-Tribal sector allocations, and a set-aside for incidental mortality in research activities and non-groundfish fisheries. NMFS issues this final rule for the 2024 Pacific whiting fishery under the authority of the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Pacific Whiting Act of 2006, and other applicable laws. These measures are intended to help prevent overfishing, achieve optimum yield, ensure that management measures are based on the best scientific information available, and provide for the implementation of Tribal treaty fishing rights.

 

Older Documents:

December

 

November

 

October

 

September

 

August

 

July

 

June

FINAL RULE
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
(6/18/24)

Regulations Governing the Taking of Marine Mammals
89 FR 51600

SUMMARY: Following formal rulemaking proceedings including an on-the-record hearing before an administrative law judge, NMFS is waiving the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) moratorium on taking Eastern North Pacific (ENP) gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) to allow the Makah Indian Tribe to conduct a limited ceremonial and subsistence hunt of up to 25 ENP gray whales over a 10-year period in accordance with the Treaty of Neah Bay of 1855 and the quota first established by the International Whaling Commission in 1997. NMFS is also promulgating regulations to govern the issuance of hunt permits and the hunt itself.

FINAL RULE; DELAY OF EFFECTIVE DATE, ESTABLISHMENT OF COMPLIANCE DATES
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing, HUD.
(6/14/24)

Strengthening the Section 184 Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Program; Delay of Effective and Compliance Dates
89 FR 50523

SUMMARY: The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published in the Federal Register on March 20, 2024, a final rule to strengthen its Section 184 Indian Loan Guarantee Program by, among other things, clarifying rules for Tribes, lenders, servicers, and other participants. The final rule established an effective date of June 18, 2024. To provide time for HUD to develop and implement a comprehensive handbook for the Section 184 Program and to allow Tribes, lenders, servicers, and other participants time to conform their policies, procedures, and systems to comply with HUD's March 20, 2024, final rule, this rulemaking delays that effective date to December 31, 2024, and establishes a compliance date of March 1, 2025.

FINAL RULE
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Housing—Federal Housing Commissioner, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing, HUD.
(6/12/24)

Certification of Tribal Housing Counselors
89 FR 49802

SUMMARY: HUD's Housing Counseling Program provides counseling to individuals seeking information about financing, maintaining, renting, or owning a home. Established by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, entities and individual counselors that participate in the Housing Counseling Program are required to be certified by HUD as competent to provide counseling services. In 2016, HUD implemented such housing counselor certification requirements for most HUD programs but agreed to conduct consultation with Tribes before implementing them for Tribes. On January 26, 2023, HUD published a proposed rule that provides an alternative regulatory standard for the counselor certification that accounts for the unique status of Tribal land and housing programs in Indian country and recognizes the importance of Tribal expertise. After consulting with Tribes and considering public comments received in response to the proposed rule, this final rule adopts the proposed rule with minor changes.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF DRAFT GUIDANCE REGARDING THE DESIGNTATION OF NEW REGIONAL OCEAN PARTNERSHIPS; REQUEST FOR COMMENTS
Office for Coastal Management, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.
(6/11/24)

Notice of Availability of Draft Guidance on Designation of New Regional Ocean Partnerships
89 FR 49160

SUMMARY: Under the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (NDAA), Coastal States (including Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands, and American Samoa), federally-recognized Indian Tribes (including Alaska native villages), and other entities may form new partnerships and apply to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) (as delegated) for designation as a regional ocean partnership. Regional ocean partnerships coordinate the management of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources. NOAA invites public comment on draft guidance on designating new regional ocean partnerships under the NDAA.

RESPONSES TO THE REQUEST FOR COMMENTS AND IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL CONSULTATIONS
Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Department of Transportation (DOT).
(6/10/24)

Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program; Tribal Transit Program; Response to Comments
89 FR 48953

SUMMARY: This notice summarizes and responds to comments the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) received in response to an August 15, 2023, Federal Register notice, a September 25, 2023, in-person consultation session, and a November 2, 2023, virtual consultation session regarding how the FTA Tribal Transit competitive program and technical assistance should be provided to Tribes.

NOTICE OF MEETING AND SOLICITATION FOR WRITTEN AND ORAL COMMENTS
Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary, Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.
(6/6/24)

Announcement of the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders Meeting and Solicitation for Oral and Written Comments
89 FR 48435

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announces the ninth public meeting of the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (Commission) and the solicitation of written and oral comment regarding the advancement of equity, justice, and opportunity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) communities. The meeting is open to the public and will be held in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Virtual attendance will be available through livestream on July 1 and in-person attendance will be available on July 2, 2024. The Commission is working to accomplish its mission to provide independent advice and recommendations to the President on ways to advance equity, justice, and opportunity for AA and NHPI communities.

 

May

NOTICE OF MEETINGS
Office of Early Childhood Development (ECD), Office of Head Start (OHS), and Office of Child Care (OCC), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
(5/29/24)

Tribal Consultation Meetings
89 FR 46402

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Head Start Act, notice is hereby given of one joint Tribal consultation session to be held between HHS/ACF ECD, OHS, and OCC leadership and the leadership of Tribal governments operating Tribal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting; Tribal Child Care and Development Fund; and Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The purpose of this consultation session is to discuss ways to better meet the needs of Tribal children and their families and issues affecting the delivery of early childhood services in their geographic locations. The consultation will also provide an opportunity for discussion on the review and promulgation of Head Start Program Performance Standards, as required under the Head Start Act. To meet this legislative requirement, one Tribal consultation will be held as part of HHS/ACF or ACF Tribal consultation sessions.

NOTICE OF DECISION APPROVING LANDS FOR CONVEYANCE
Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
(5/23/24)

Alaska Native Claims Selection
89 FR 45673

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) hereby provides constructive notice that it will issue an appealable decision approving conveyance of the surface and subsurface estates in certain lands to Bering Straits Native Corporation, an Alaska Native regional corporation, pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 (ANCSA), as amended.

NOTICE OF DECISION APPROVING LANDS FOR CONVEYANCE
Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
(5/23/24)

Alaska Native Claims Selection
89 FR 45672

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) hereby provides constructive notice that it will issue an appealable decision approving conveyance of the surface and subsurface estates in certain lands to NANA Regional Corporation, Inc., an Alaska Native regional corporation, pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 (ANCSA), as amended.

NOTICE OF DECISION APPROVING LANDS FOR CONVEYANCE
Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
(5/23/24)

Alaska Native Claims Selection
89 FR 45672

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) hereby provides constructive notice that it will issue an appealable decision approving conveyance of the surface and subsurface estates in certain lands to Bering Straits Native Corporation, an Alaska Native regional corporation, pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 (ANCSA), as amended.

NOTICE
Office of the Secretary, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD or the Department).
(5/17/24)

Extension of Public Interest, General Applicability Tribal Consultation Waiver of Build America, Buy America Provisions as Applied to Tribal Recipients of HUD Federal Financial Assistance
89 FR 43424

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA or the Act), this notice advises that HUD is proposing an extension to the previously issued public interest, general applicability Tribal Consultation waiver until September 30, 2024 of the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) Domestic Content Procurement Preference (the Buy America Preference or the BAP) as applied to Federal Financial Assistance (FFA) provided to Tribes, Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs), and other Tribal Entities (hereinafter collectively, Tribal Recipients). This proposed waiver extension is critical in keeping with the Federal Government's commitment to consult with Tribes and build Tribal capacity as established through Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, before applying the Buy America preference to programs that affect Tribal communities.

PROCLAMATION 10752
A Presidential Document by the Executive Office of the President.
(5/13/24)

Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day, 2024
89 FR 41297

FINAL RULE
Children's Bureau (CB), Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
(5/10/24)

Foster Care Legal Representation
89 FR 40400

SUMMARY: This rule allows title IV-E agencies to claim Federal financial participation (FFP) for the administrative costs of: legal representation in foster care proceedings provided by an attorney representing the title IV-E agency or any other public agency (including an Indian tribe) which has an agreement in effect under which the other agency has placement and care responsibility of a title IV-E eligible child; independent legal representation provided by an attorney representing a child in title IV-E foster care, a child who is a candidate for title IV-E foster care (hereafter, referred to as a child “who is eligible for title IV-E foster care”), the child's parent(s), the child's relative caregiver(s), and the child's Indian custodian(s) in foster care and other civil legal proceedings as necessary to carry out the requirements in the title IV-E agency's title IV-E foster care plan; and legal representation provided by an attorney representing an Indian child's tribe, or representation of an Indian child's tribe provided by a non-attorney, when the child's tribe participates or intervenes in any state court proceeding for the foster care placement or termination of parental rights (TPR) of an Indian child who is in title IV-E foster care or an Indian child who is a candidate for title IV-E foster care.

NOTICE
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.
(5/6/24)

Rate Adjustments for Indian Irrigation Projects
89 FR 37238

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) owns or has an interest in irrigation projects located on or associated with various Indian reservations throughout the United States. We are required to establish irrigation assessment rates to recover the costs to administer, operate, maintain, and rehabilitate these projects. The BIA proposes to adjust the irrigation operation and maintenance (O&M) assessment rate at Duck Valley Irrigation Project (DVIP). We request your comments on the proposed rate adjustment.

FINAL RULE
Forest Service, USDA.
(5/6/24)

Planning
89 FR 37135

SUMMARY: The United States Department of Agriculture (Department), Forest Service is making technical revisions to clarify regulations governing National Forest System Land Management Planning (planning). These purely technical changes to the names and definitions of terms used to describe information accrued by Tribes and Indigenous people align with guidance from the Executive Office of the President and are more consistent with language used in regulations of other Federal agencies.

PROCLAMATION 10735
A Presidential Document by the Executive Office of the President.
(5/3/24)

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, 2024
89 FR 36651

NOTICE OF DECISION APPROVING LANDS FOR CONVEYANCE
Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
(5/2/24)

Alaska Native Claims Selection
89 FR 35857

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) hereby provides constructive notice that it will issue an appealable decision approving conveyance of the surface and subsurface estates in certain lands to Cook Inlet Region, Inc., an Alaska Native regional corporation, pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 and the Act of January 2, 1976.

FINAL RULE
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
(5/2/24)

Water Quality Standards Regulatory Revisions To Protect Tribal Reserved Rights
89 FR 35717

SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing revisions to the Clean Water Act (CWA) water quality standards (WQS) regulation to add requirements for states establishing WQS in waters where Tribes hold and assert rights to CWA-protected aquatic and aquatic-dependent resources reserved through treaties, statutes, or Executive orders.

 

April

PROPOSED RULE; REQUEST FOR COMMENTS
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
(4/30/24)

Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2024 Harvest Specifications for Pacific Whiting, and 2024 Pacific Whiting Tribal Allocation
89 FR 34188

SUMMARY: NMFS issues this proposed rule for the 2024 Pacific whiting fishery under the authority of the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Pacific Whiting Act of 2006 (Whiting Act), and other applicable laws. This proposed rule would establish the domestic 2024 harvest specifications for Pacific whiting including the 2024 tribal allocation for the Pacific whiting fishery, the non-tribal sector allocations, and set-asides for incidental mortality in research activities and non-groundfish fisheries. The proposed measures are intended to help prevent overfishing, achieve optimum yield, ensure that management measures are based on the best scientific information available, and provide for the implementation of tribal treaty fishing rights.

FINAL RULE
Indian Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services.
(4/30/24)

Removal of Outdated Regulations
89 FR 34144

SUMMARY: The Indian Health Service (IHS) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS or “the Department”) is issuing this final rule to remove outdated regulations that do not align with the current statutory text.

NOTICE OF MEETING AND REQUEST FOR COMMENTS
Minority Business Development Agency, Department of Commerce.
(4/18/24)

Minority Business Development Agency's Request for Public Comment and Notice of Tribal Consultation Meetings
89 FR 28748

SUMMARY: The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) plans to establish a period for the submission and acceptance of written comments from the public through Sunday, June 16, 2024 and conduct virtual Tribal consultation meetings on Friday, May 17, 2024.

NOTICE OF DECISION APPROVING LANDS FOR CONVEYANCE
Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
(4/18/24)

Alaska Native Claims Selection
89 FR 27782

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) hereby provides constructive notice that it will issue an appealable decision approving conveyance of the surface estate in certain lands to Danzhit Hanlaii Corporation for the Native village of Circle, pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 (ANCSA). The subsurface estate in the same lands will be conveyed to Doyon, Limited, when the surface estate is conveyed to Danzhit Hanlaii Corporation.

NOTICE
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.
(4/17/24)

Receipt of Documented Petition for Federal Acknowledgment as an American Indian Tribe
89 FR 27447

SUMMARY: The Department of the Interior (Department) gives notice that the group known as the Chihene Nde Nation of New Mexico has filed a documented petition for Federal acknowledgment as an American Indian tribe with the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs. The Department seeks comment and evidence from the public on the petition.

NOTICE OF A MODIFIED SYSTEM OF RECORDS AND RESCINDMENT OF A SYSTEM OF RECORDS NOTICE
Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services.
(4/12/24)

Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
89 FR 25880

SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is modifying a system of records maintained by the Office of Family Assistance (OFA) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), 09-80-0375 OFA Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Data System. The modification will add Tribal TANF records from a separate system of records, 09-80-0373 OFA Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF), which is now being rescinded; and will change the name of the system of records 09-80-0375 to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Data.

NOTICE OF DECISION APPROVING LANDS FOR CONVEYANCE
Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
(4/4/24)

Alaska Native Claims Selection
89 FR 23609

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) hereby provides constructive notice that it will issue an appealable decision approving conveyance of the surface estate in certain lands to Beaver Kwit'chin Corporation for the Native village of Beaver, pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 (ANCSA). The subsurface estate in the same lands will be conveyed to Doyon, Limited, when the surface estate is conveyed to Beaver Kwit'chin Corporation.

 

March

FINAL RULE; CORRECTION
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
(3/29/24)

Strengthening the Section 184 Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Program; Correction
89 FR 22083

SUMMARY: The Department of the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is correcting a final rule entitled, “Strengthening the Section 184 Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Program” that published in the Federal Register on March 20, 2024.

NOTICE
Department of Veterans Affairs.
(3/22/24)

Revised VA Tribal Consultation Policy and Directive 8603
89 FR 20538

SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs (OPIA), Office of Tribal Government Relations (OTGR), has updated their policy and directive on VA Tribal Consultation, in accordance with Executive Order 13175 and Presidential Memorandum January 2021. We request that tribal leaders or their designees review the final directive/policy and provide any additional feedback.

FINAL RULE
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
(3/20/24)

Strengthening the Section 184 Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Program
89 FR 20032

SUMMARY: This final rule amends the regulations governing the Section 184 Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Program (“Section 184 Program”) to strengthen the program by clarifying rules for stakeholders. As the program has experienced an increase in demand, it is necessary that HUD update the Section 184 Program implementing regulations to minimize potential risk and increase program participation by financial institutions. This final rule adds participation and eligibility requirements for Lender Applicants, Direct Guarantee Lenders, Non-Direct Guarantee Lenders, Holders and Servicers and other financial institutions. This final rule clarifies the rules governing Tribal participation in the program, establishes underwriting requirements, specifies rules on the closing and endorsement process, establishes stronger and clearer servicing requirements, establishes program rules governing claims submitted by Servicers and paid by HUD, and adds standards governing monitoring, reporting, sanctions, and appeals. This final rule adds new definitions and makes statutory conforming amendments, including the categorical exclusion of the Section 184 Program in HUD's environmental review regulations. Ultimately, the changes made by this final rule promote program sustainability, increase Borrower protections, and provide clarity for new and existing Lenders who participate in the program. This final rule follows the publication of a proposed rule on December 21, 2022, and takes into consideration the comments received in response to that proposed rule and during the Tribal consultations.

REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
(3/18/24)

Request for Information: Office of Head Start Tribal Programs
89 FR 19317

SUMMARY: Prioritizing and directing resources to American Indian and Alaskan Native (AI/AN) programs to implement, expand, and/or enhance their Head Start services to tribal children and families is critical for meeting federal trust responsibility; preserving, and promoting Native language, culture, and traditions; and addressing the impact of historical trauma on Native Americans. As part of the Administration for Children and Families' (ACF) commitment to partnering with tribal nations to provide high-quality Head Start programming, in addition to regular tribal consultations, the Office of Head Start (OHS) invites public comment on the rules, regulations, and available training and technical assistance (TTA) supports impacting the AI/AN Head Start community. This Request for Information (RFI) seeks input on topics including eligibility; program options; quality environments; child health and safety; tribal language preservation, maintenance, revitalization, and restoration; family and community engagement; workforce; training and technical assistance; partnerships with state systems; facilities; fiscal operations; early childhood systems; and others, to improve the quality of Head Start services in areas of great need and affirm the federal government's commitment to protect Native communities.

NOTICE OF REPLACEMENT DECISION APPROVING LANDS FOR CONVEYANCE
Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
(3/15/24)

Alaska Native Claims Selection
89 FR 18967

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) hereby provides constructive notice that it will issue an appealable decision replacing its August 3, 2023, decision (“original decision”) which approved lands for conveyance to The Aleut Corporation, pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 (ANCSA). The original decision is vacated in its entirety due to an error in land status and is replaced by the new decision. The lands approved for conveyance lie entirely within the Aleutian Islands Unit of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge.

NOTICE
Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR), Interior.
(3/12/24)

Major Portion Prices and Due Date for Additional Royalty Payments on Gas Produced From Indian Lands in Designated Areas That Are Not Associated With an Index Zone
89 FR 17878

SUMMARY: In accordance with regulations governing valuation of gas produced from Indian lands, ONRR is publishing this Notice in the Federal Register of the major portion prices applicable to calendar year 2022 and the date by which a lessee must pay any additional royalties due under major portion pricing.

REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS
Administration for Native Americans, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
(3/8/24)

Notice for Public Comment on Administration for Native Americans' Survey To Measure Native American Language Vitality
89 FR 16774

SUMMARY: As part of the Durbin Feeling Native American Languages Act of 2022 (Durbin Feeling Act), the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) is tasked with developing a nationwide survey on Native languages, with the intent that the survey will be sent out and collected every 5 years. The survey will gather information from Tribal Governments and/or Native language community organization representatives to report about the language use, language learning, and unmet needs in the community. The law requires that the survey makers consult with Native American Tribes, traditional leaders, and representatives of Native American language communities, including Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island communities. The data collection will provide Tribal Nations, Native American language communities, and Congress with critical information about how Federal support can best help to revitalize and maintain Native languages. For more information on the Durbin Feeling Act, please visit: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ana/durbin-feeling.

PROPOSED RULE
Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
(3/8/24)

Advance Tribal Notification of Category 1 Quantities of Radioactive Material Shipments
89 FR 16701

SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its regulations to require NRC and Agreement State licensees to provide advance notification to participating federally recognized Tribal governments regarding shipments of category 1 quantities of radioactive material that pass within or across their reservation boundaries. This proposed rule would resolve a petition for rulemaking (PRM–37–2) requesting changes to the regulations to include advance Tribal notification requirements similar to existing State notification requirements. The NRC will hold a public meeting during the public comment period to promote full understanding of this proposed rule and facilitate public comments.

 

February

NOTICE
Office of the Secretary, Interior.
(2/28/24)

Statement of Findings: Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the Chickasaw Nation Water Rights Settlement
89 FR 14699

SUMMARY: The Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) is publishing this notice in accordance with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the Chickasaw Nation Water Rights Settlement (Settlement Act). The publication of this notice causes the settlement agreement executed in accordance with the Settlement Act to become enforceable and causes waivers and releases of claims executed pursuant to the Settlement Act to become effective.

NOTICE
Bureau of Indians Affairs, Interior.
(2/28/24)

Indian Child Welfare Act; Designated Tribal Agents for Service of Notice
89 FR 14679

SUMMARY: The regulations implementing the Indian Child Welfare Act provide that Federally recognized Indian Tribes may designate an agent other than the Tribal chairman for service of notice of proceedings under the Act. This notice includes the current list of designated Tribal agents for service of notice.

REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS
Office of Child Support Services, Administration for Children and Families, United States Department of Health and Human Services.
(2/27/24)

Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Tribal Child Support Enforcement Direct Funding Requests: (Office of Management and Budget #0970-0218)
89 FR 14504

SUMMARY: The Office of Child Support Services (OCSS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is requesting to extend approval of revisions to an approved information collection the Tribal Child Support Enforcement Direct Funding Requests (Office of Management and Budget (OMB) #0970–0218). These revisions were approved under an emergency approval for 6-months and included a new requirement for Tribes or Tribal organizations to provide that charging fees and recovering costs will not be permitted.

REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS
Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services; Administration for Children and Families; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
(2/26/24)

Proposed Information Collection Activity; Family Violence Prevention and Services Grants to States; Native American Tribes and Alaskan Native Villages; and State Domestic Violence Coalitions (Office of Management and Budget #0970-0280)
89 FR 14079

SUMMARY: The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) program within the Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services (OFVPS) plans to extend data collection for the Family Violence Prevention and Services Grants to States; Native American Tribes and Alaskan Native Villages; and State Domestic Violence Coalitions (Office of Management and Budget (OMB) #0970–0280; Expiration Date: May 31, 2024). Minor changes are proposed to the existing information collection.

MEETING NOTICE
Office of the Administrator; General Services Administration, (GSA).
(2/26/24)

Reservation Economic Summit (RES) Tribal Consultation Notice
89 FR 14069

SUMMARY: GSA is hosting a Tribal Consultation at the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) Reservation Economic Summit to discuss interests and concerns surrounding GSA's support of Tribes through its SAM.gov system.

PROPOSED RULE
Forest Service, Agriculture; Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
(2/26/24)

Subsistence Management Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska-Subpart B; Federal Subsistence Board Membership
89 FR 14008

SUMMARY: This proposed rule would revise the regulations concerning the composition of the Federal Subsistence Board (Board) by adding three public members nominated or recommended by federally recognized Tribal governments, requiring that those nominees have personal knowledge of and direct experience with subsistence uses in rural Alaska including Alaska Native subsistence uses, defining requirements used for the selection of the Board Chair, affirming the Secretaries' authority to replace members from the Board, and affirming the Secretaries' responsibility and oversight regarding Board decisions while incorporating a ratification requirement. In January 2022, the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) held joint consultations with federally recognized Tribes of Alaska and various Tribal Consortia. Later during October–November 2022, DOI leadership and the Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, held joint consultations with various Alaska Tribes regarding fisheries. Approximately 445 individual subsistence users and representatives from Alaska Native Tribes, Tribal consortia, Alaska Native organizations, and Native corporations participated in the consultations, and a majority of the commenters specifically requested increasing the number of public members to five and adding more voting members who represent Alaska Native Villages and have local knowledge and direct subsistence experience.

NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING
Children's Bureau (CB), Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
(2/23/24)

Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System
89 FR 13652

SUMMARY: ACF proposes to amend the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) regulations that require title IV–E agencies to collect and report data to ACF on children who enter out-of-home care, their providers, and children who have a title IV–E adoption or guardianship assistance agreement to collect additional data related to Indian children.

REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
Administration for Native Americans, Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services.
(2/15/24)

Notice for Public Comment on Administration for Native Americans' Program Policies and Procedures
89 FR 11798

SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 814 of the Native American Programs Act of 1974 (NAPA), as amended, the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) is required to provide members of the public an opportunity to comment on proposed changes in interpretive rules and general statements of policy and to give notice of the proposed changes no less than 30 days before such changes become effective. In accordance with notice requirements of NAPA, ANA herein describes proposed interpretive rules and general statements of policy that relate to ANA's Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) in fiscal year (FY) 2024. Changes to FY NOFOs will be based on the previously published programs.

FINAL RULE
Office of the Secretary, Interior.
(2/15/24)

Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustments
89 FR 11740

SUMMARY: This rule revises U.S. Department of the Interior regulations implementing the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) to provide for annual adjustments of civil penalties to account for inflation under the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 and Office of Management and Budget guidance. The purpose of these adjustments is to maintain the deterrent effect of civil penalties and to further the policy goals of the underlying statute.

FINAL RULE
Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS or “the Department”).
(2/14/24)

Older Americans Act: Grants to State and Community Programs on Aging; Grants to Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Grantees for Supportive, Nutrition, and Caregiver Services; Grants for Supportive and Nutritional Services to Older Hawaiian Natives; and Allotments for Vulnerable Elder Rights Protection Activities
89 FR 11566

SUMMARY: ACL is issuing this final rule to modernize the implementing regulations of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (“the Act” or OAA). These changes advance the policy goals of the Act as articulated by Congress, including equity in service delivery, accountability for funds expended, and clarity of administration for ACL and its grantees. This final rule ultimately facilitates improved service delivery and enhanced benefits for OAA participants, particularly those in greatest economic need and greatest social need consistent with the statute.

FINAL RULE
Office of Child Support Services (OCSS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
(2/12/24)

Elimination of the Tribal Non-Federal Share Requirement
89 FR 9784

SUMMARY: OCSS eliminates the non-Federal share of program expenditures requirement for Tribal child support programs, including the 90/10 and 80/20 cost sharing rates. Based upon the experiences of and consultations with Tribes and Tribal organizations, we have determined that the non-Federal share requirement limits growth, causes disruptions, and creates instability.

FINAL RULE
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing, HUD.
(2/12/24)

Implementing Rental Housing Assistance for the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant Program
89 FR 9757

SUMMARY: This rule amends HUD's regulations covering rental housing assistance for the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant (NHHBG) program, consistent with the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA). The amendments clarify and improve consistency with NAHASDA's statutory requirements and HUD's Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) program regulations. This rule would also help to make affordable housing opportunities, in the form of NHHBG-assisted rental housing, more available to eligible Native Hawaiian families.

PROCLAMATION 10701
A Presidential Document by the Executive Office of the President.
(2/12/24)

National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week, 2024
89 FR 9739

 

January

NOTICE OF RESERVATION PROCLAMATION
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.
(1/29/24)

Proclaiming Certain Lands as Reservation for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe
89 FR 5572

SUMMARY: This notice informs the public that the Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs proclaimed approximately 1483.03 acres, more or less, as an addition to the reservation of Pascua Yaqui Tribe.

REQUEST FOR COMMENTS
National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
(1/25/24)

Request for Comments on a Draft of Updated National Register Bulletin: Identifying, Evaluating, and Documenting Traditional Cultural Places (Draft TCP Bulletin)
89 FR 4988

SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) is soliciting written comments from its Tribal, national, State, and local historic preservation partners, NPS regional offices and parks, other Federal agencies, and the public regarding the Draft TCP Bulletin.

NOTICE
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.
(1/25/24)

Land Acquisitions; Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Eleven Parcels, Pima County, Arizona
89 FR 4984

SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs made a final agency determination to acquire in trust 25.56 acres, more or less, of land consisting of eleven off-reservation parcels in Pima County, Arizona, (Site) for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona, (Tribe) for gaming and other purposes.

PROPOSED RULE
Office of Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development and Office of Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing, HUD.
(1/10/24)

Submission for Community Development Block Grant Program, Consolidated Plans, and Indian Community Development Block Grant Program Changes
89 FR 1746

SUMMARY: HUD is proposing to revise the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and related Section 108 loan guarantee program regulations to make it easier for recipients to promote economic development and recovery in low- and moderate-income communities and support investments in underserved areas. This proposed rule also would revise provisions related to Consolidated Plan and citizen participation requirements for the CDBG program and institute quarterly reporting to improve performance with respect to timeliness. HUD is also proposing to make certain corresponding changes to the Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) program regulations to align the ICDBG program with the revisions being made to the CDBG program regulations.

NOTICE
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.
(1/8/24)

Indian Entities Recognized by and Eligible To Receive Services From the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs
89 FR 944

SUMMARY: This notice publishes the current list of 574 Tribal entities recognized by and eligible for funding and services from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) by virtue of their status as Indian Tribes.

NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING
Indian Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services.
(1/8/24)

Removal of Outdated Regulations
89 FR 896

SUMMARY: The Indian Health Service (IHS) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS or “the Department”) is issuing this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing the removal of regulations appearing in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). These outdated regulations do not align with the current statutory text.