FDPIR Tribal Food Sovereignty Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- S. 4785
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Native Americans
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-15: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-06T19:58:54Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation aims to expand Tribal self-determination authority by allowing the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into contracts with Tribal organizations for operating the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), a program that provides food to eligible households on reservations.
Key Provisions
- The bill adds a new Section 112 to Title I of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.
- It requires the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into self-determination contracts with Tribal organizations upon request by an Indian Tribe through a Tribal resolution.
- Contracts must follow the same terms, procedures, regulations, and requirements as existing self-determination contracts under Section 102 of the Act, with the Department of Agriculture serving as the responsible agency.
- The Office of Self-Governance within the Bureau of Indian Affairs must provide technical assistance to the Department of Agriculture and to requesting Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This measure extends self-determination contracting authority—previously limited to certain federal agencies such as the Department of the Interior and the Department of Health and Human Services—to the Department of Agriculture specifically for FDPIR.
- It creates a mandatory obligation for the Secretary of Agriculture to enter such contracts rather than leaving participation optional.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: The Department of Agriculture would assume new responsibilities for contract oversight and administration, while the Bureau of Indian Affairs would expand its technical assistance role.
- On citizens: Tribal members and households participating in FDPIR could see changes in program management and service delivery if Tribes assume control.
- On international relations: No direct effects are outlined in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations seeking greater control over food distribution services.
- The Department of Agriculture, responsible for program funding and contract execution.
- The Bureau of Indian Affairs, tasked with providing technical support.
- Households on Indian reservations that rely on FDPIR benefits.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The bill reinforces principles of Tribal self-governance by applying an existing statutory framework to a new federal program, without altering core constitutional allocations of authority between the federal government and Tribes.
- It introduces no new regulatory structures but relies on established contract procedures, potentially streamlining implementation while maintaining federal oversight standards.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-15: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
- 2026-06-15: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- FDPIR Tribal Food Sovereignty Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-15 — PDF (3 pages)