[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 123 (Wednesday, June 28, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41874-41875]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-13728]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 88 , No. 123 / Wednesday, June 28, 2023 / 
Notices  

[[Page 41874]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Intent To Establish the Tribal Advisory Committee and 
Solicitation of Nominations for Membership to the Committee

AGENCY: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Notice of establishment the Tribal Advisory Committee and 
solicit nominations for membership.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with section 12303 of the Agriculture 
Improvement Act of 2018 and the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as 
amended, the United States Department of Agriculture announces its 
intent to establish of the Tribal Advisory Committee by the Secretary 
of Agriculture. The Tribal Advisory Committee will advise the Secretary 
on matters related to Tribal and Indian affairs. The Tribal Advisory 
Committee will be governed by the provisions of FACA as applicable. 
Duration of the Tribal Advisory Committee is required by legislation to 
be permanent, and the Charter will be renewed biannually by the 
Secretary of Agriculture. This notice also solicits for nominations for 
membership on the Tribal Advisory Committee.

DATES: Nominations must be submitted via email or postmarked by August 
14, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Please submit nominations and resumes for recognition and 
appointment by the Secretary of Agriculture and Chair and Ranking 
members of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs; House Committee on 
Agriculture; and Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry through Josiah Griffin, Designated Federal Officer, to 1400 
Independence Ave. SW, Room 501-A, Washington, DC, and 20250.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Inquiries may be sent to, Josiah 
Griffin, Designated Federal Officer, USDA, Office of Tribal Relations, 
1400 Independence Ave. SW, Room 501-A, Washington, DC, and 20250 or at 
(202) 205-2249 and [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Public Law 115-334 of section 12303 of the Agriculture Improvement 
Act of 2018 directs the Secretary of the United States Department of 
Agriculture to create the Tribal Advisory Committee to advise the 
Agency on matters related to Tribal and Indian affairs.
    The duties of the Committee as directed by the authorizing 
legislation include identifying issues of relevance to Indian tribes 
relating to programs of the Department; communicating to the Secretary 
the issues identified; submitting to the Secretary recommendations for 
and solutions to these issues, other issues raised at the Tribal, 
regional, or national level, and issues relating to any Tribal 
consultation carried out by the Department; discussing issues and 
proposals for changes to regulations, policies, and procedures of the 
Department that impact Indian tribes; identifying priorities and 
providing advice on appropriate strategies for Tribal consultation; 
ensuring that pertinent issues of the Department are brought to the 
attention of an Indian tribe in a timely manner so that timely feedback 
can be obtained; and identifying and proposing solutions to any 
interdepartmental barriers between the Department and other Federal 
agencies.
    The Committee is required to meet no less than twice per year, 
anticipated to be mid-Calendar year and at the end of each Calendar 
year. Additionally, USDA anticipates this Committee to convene over 
virtual/teleconference in those quarters where an in-person meeting is 
not otherwise scheduled. The Committee members shall be compensated at 
the level IV executive schedule daily rate for each day of 
participation in an officially scheduled, quarterly meeting of the full 
Committee in addition to each travel to and from these in-person 
Committee meetings. Once convened in full, the Committee will vote to 
elect a chairperson for the Committee to facilitate Committee member 
discussion and activity and a vice-chairperson to fill this role in 
lieu of the chairperson when unavailable.

Discussion Solicitation for Nominations and Membership Criteria

    Of the eleven (11) members to be appointed to the Tribal Advisory 
Council, three (3) of which shall be appointed by the Secretary of 
Agriculture; one (1) by the chairperson of the Committee on Indian 
Affairs of the Senate; one (1) by the ranking member of the Committee 
on Indian Affairs of the Senate; one (1) by the chairperson of the 
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate; one 
(1) by the ranking member of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, 
and Forestry of the Senate; two (2) by the chairperson of the Committee 
on Agriculture of the House of Representatives; and two (2) by the 
ranking member of the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
Representatives. Each appointment shall be made for no longer than 
three (3) years except for the first appointment of the Agriculture 
Secretary, which shall be for a period of two (2) years. All subsequent 
terms shall be for a period of three (3) years.
    To the extent feasible, the Secretary will coordinate the 
aforementioned Congressional committee leadership to ensure that the 
members of the Tribal Advisory Committee represent a diverse set of 
expertise on issues relating to geographic regions, Indian tribes, and 
the agricultural industry, including in subsistence and fisheries.

Membership Nominations Information

    Pursuant to the statute, nominations may be submitted by an Indian 
tribe as defined by 25 U.S.C. 5304, a Tribal organization as defined by 
25 U.S.C. 5304, or a national or regional organization with expertise 
in issues relating to the above duties of the Committee. Individuals 
who wish to be considered for membership on Tribal Advisory Committee 
must submit a nomination with information, including a background 
disclosure form (Form AD-755). All interested nominees, whether they 
wish to be appointed by the Secretary or one of the Senate or 
Congressional Committees, shall use this same Federal Register process. 
All official Appointees will each have access to this same Federal 
Register nomination process.
    Nominations should be typed and include the following:

[[Page 41875]]

    1. If nominating an individual, a brief summary, no more than two 
pages, explaining the nominee's qualifications to serve on the Tribal 
Advisory Committee and addressing the membership composition and 
criteria described above.
    2. A resume providing the nominee's background, experience, and 
educational qualifications.
    3. A completed Advisory Committee or Research and Promotion 
Background Information form (AD-755) signed by the nominee. https://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/AD-755-Approved_Master-exp-3.31.22_508.pdf.
    4. Letters of endorsement are optional.
    USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, 
color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including 
gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital 
status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance 
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil 
rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA 
(not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing 
deadlines vary by program or incident.
    Equal opportunity practices in accordance with USDA's policies will 
be followed in all appointments to the Committee. To ensure that the 
recommendations of the Committee have taken in account the needs of the 
diverse groups served by USDA, membership shall include to the extent 
possible, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent 
minorities, women and person with disabilities. USDA is an equal 
opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

    Dated: June 23, 2023.
Cikena Reid,
USDA Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023-13728 Filed 6-27-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3420-AG-P