[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 25 (Thursday, February 6, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6960-6961]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-02356]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration


Notice of Establishment and Solicitation of Nominations for 
Tribal Advisory Council

AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department 
of Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Establishment of HRSA Tribal Advisory Council and Request for 
Tribal Delegate Member Nominations.

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SUMMARY: HRSA is soliciting comments and recommendations regarding 
HRSA's intent to establish the HRSA Tribal Advisory Council (TAC) and 
is seeking nominations of qualified tribal officials as candidates for 
consideration for appointment as voluntary delegate members of the HRSA 
TAC. The HRSA TAC will engage in regular and meaningful collaboration 
and consultation with tribal officials on policies that have tribal 
implications and a substantial direct effect on Indian tribes. The HRSA 
TAC will be the vehicle for acquiring a broad range of tribal views, 
determining the impact of HRSA programs on the American Indian/Alaska 
Native (AI/AN) health systems and population, developing innovative 
approaches to deliver health care and assisting with effective tribal 
consultations. HRSA is also seeking nominations of qualified candidates 
to fill up to 12 positions on the HRSA TAC; one authorized tribal 
representative (and one designated alternate) from each of the 12 
Indian Health Service geographic areas.

DATES: Nominations for membership on the HRSA TAC must be received on 
or before May 7, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the described intent to establish the 
HRSA TAC and nomination packages must be submitted to:
    1. Submission of comments on the intent to establish the HRSA TAC. 
CAPT Elijah K. Martin, Jr., EdD, MPH, Manager, Tribal Health Affairs, 
Office of Health Equity (OHE), HRSA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 13N44, 
Rockville, Maryland 20857, ATTN: HRSA TAC Establishment.
    2. Submission of HRSA TAC nomination packages. CAPT Elijah K. 
Martin, Jr., EdD, MPH, Manager, Tribal Health Affairs, OHE, HRSA, 5600 
Fishers Lane, Room 13N44, Rockville, Maryland 20857, ATTN: HRSA TAC 
Nomination Package.
    3. Electronic submission of comments on the intent to establish the 
HRSA TAC: [email protected], SUBJECT: HRSA TAC Establishment.
    4. Electronic submission of HRSA TAC Nomination Packages: 
[email protected], SUBJECT: HRSA TAC Nomination Package.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: CAPT Elijah K. Marin, Jr., EdD, MPH, 
Manager, using the contact information provided above, or Michelle 
Allender, RN, BSN, MS, Director, OHE, HRSA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 
13N09, Rockville, Maryland 20857, or 301-443-7526.
    A copy of the HRSA TAC charter and list of the membership, once 
established, may be obtained by submitting a written request to: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The HRSA TAC will be established to engage 
in regular and meaningful collaboration and consultation with tribal 
officials on policies that have tribal implications

[[Page 6961]]

and substantial direct effect on Indian tribes. The HRSA TAC will be 
the vehicle for acquiring a broad range of tribal views, determining 
the impact of HRSA programs on the AI/AN health systems and population, 
developing innovative approaches to deliver health care, and assisting 
with effective tribal consultation. The HRSA TAC will hold one meeting 
each calendar year, or at the discretion of HRSA in consultation with 
the Chair. These meetings may be held in-person or virtually.
    The HRSA TAC will support, not supplant, any other government-to-
government consultation activities that HRSA undertakes. In addition to 
assisting HRSA in the planning and coordination of tribal consultation 
sessions, the HRSA TAC will advise HRSA regarding the government-to-
government consultation process and will help ensure that HRSA 
activities and policies that impact Indian country are brought to the 
attention of all tribal leaders. The HRSA TAC Charter will comply with 
the ``Unfunded Mandates Reform Act Exemption'' to the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (FACA) found in Section 204 of the Unfunded Mandates 
Reform Act, P.L. 104-4, and therefore will be exempt from FACA, 5 
U.S.C. App. 2.\1\
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    \1\ In particular, the HRSA TAC meetings will be held 
exclusively between federal officials and elected officers of state, 
local, and tribal governments (or their designated employees with 
authority to act on their behalf) acting in their official 
capacities; and such meetings will be solely for the purposes of 
exchanging views, information, or advice relating to the management 
or implementation of federal programs established pursuant to public 
law that explicitly or inherently share intergovernmental 
responsibilities or administration.
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    Nominations: HRSA is requesting nominations of tribal officials to 
serve as HRSA TAC delegate members to fill up to 12 voluntary positions 
on the HRSA TAC; one authorized tribal representative (and one 
designated alternate) from each of the 12 Indian Health Service 
geographic areas. The HRSA Administrator will appoint HRSA TAC delegate 
members with the expertise needed to fulfill the duties of the HRSA 
TAC. Nominees will be considered in the following priority order:
    1. Tribal president, chairperson, or governor;
    2. Tribal vice president, vice-chairperson, or lieutenant governor;
    3. Elected or appointed tribal official; and
    4. Designated tribal official.
    Interested applicants may self-nominate or be nominated by another 
individual or organization.
    Individuals selected for appointment to the HRSA TAC will be 
invited to serve terms of up to 2 years. Appointed delegate members 
will receive per diem and travel expenses incurred for attending HRSA 
TAC meetings and/or conducting other authorized and approved business 
on behalf of the HRSA TAC.
    The following information must be included in the package of 
materials submitted for each individual nominated for consideration: 
(1) Name of the nominee, a description of the interests the nominee 
would represent, a description of the nominee's experience and interest 
in AI/AN access to health care, and share if the nominee has knowledge 
and experience with HRSA programs (optional); (2) evidence that the 
nominee is a duly elected or appointed tribal leader or tribal officer, 
or has been designated with authority to act on behalf of the duly 
elected or appointed tribal leader or officer, and is authorized to 
represent a tribal government; (3) a written commitment from the 
nominee that they will actively participate in good faith in HRSA TAC 
meetings; and (4) a current copy of the nominee's curriculum vitae. 
Nomination packages may be submitted directly by the individual being 
nominated or by the person/organization recommending the candidate.
    HHS endeavors to ensure that the membership of the HRSA TAC is 
fairly balanced in terms of points of view represented and that 
individuals from a broad representation of geographic areas, gender, 
and ethnic and minority groups, as well as individuals with 
disabilities, are considered for membership. Appointments shall be made 
without discrimination on the basis of age, ethnicity, gender, sexual 
orientation, or cultural, religious, or socioeconomic status.
    Authority: Pursuant to Presidential Executive Order No. 13175 
(November 6, 2000) and the Presidential Memorandum of November 5, 2009, 
HRSA has established a Tribal Consultation Policy for working with 
federally-recognized tribes on a government-to-government basis. HHS 
has adopted a Tribal Consultation Policy that applies to all HHS 
Operating Divisions, including HRSA. The HHS Tribal Consultation Policy 
directs Operating Divisions to establish a process to ensure meaningful 
consultation and timely input from Indian tribes before actions are 
taken that will significantly affect Indian tribe(s).
    Additionally and pursuant to the authority of the Secretary's 
Tribal Advisory Committee (STAC) Rules of Order, the HRSA TAC may be 
established per the Acting Assistant Secretary's Memorandum of March 7, 
2013, which provides the authority to establish committees to support 
and accomplish the objectives of HHS.

    Dated: January 30, 2020.
Thomas J. Engels,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2020-02356 Filed 2-5-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4165-15-P