H.R. 2236
119th CONGRESS 1st Session
To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a demonstration project to allow Tribal entities to purchase agricultural commodities under the commodity supplemental food program, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · March 18, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Vasquez · Committee: Committee on Agriculture
Table of contents
SEC. 1. Short title
- This Act may be cited as the Healthy Foods for Native Seniors Act.
SEC. 2. Commodity supplemental food program demonstration project for Tribal organizations
- (a) Demonstration project for Tribal organizations
- (1) Definitions
- In this subsection:
- (A) Demonstration project
- The term
demonstration projectmeans the demonstration project established under paragraph (2).
- The term
- (B) Food distribution program
- The term
food distribution programmeans the commodity supplemental food program under section 4 of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 ( note). 7 U.S.C. 612c
- The term
- (C) Indian reservation
- The term
Indian reservation,reservationhas the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (). 7 U.S.C. 2012
- The term
- (D) Indian Tribe
- The term
Indian Tribehas the meaning given such term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (). 25 U.S.C. 5304
- The term
- (E) Secretary
- The term
Secretarymeans the Secretary of Agriculture.
- The term
- (F) Self-determination contract
- The term
self-determination contracthas the meaning given such term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act () with modification as determined by the Secretary. 25 U.S.C. 5304
- The term
- (G) Tribal entity
- The term
Tribal entitymeans—- (i) an Indian reservation;
- (ii) an Indian Tribe; and
- (iii) a Tribal organization.
- The term
- (H) Tribal organization
- The term
Tribal organizationhas the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (). 7 U.S.C. 2012
- The term
- (2) Establishment
- Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall establish a demonstration project under which 1 or more Tribal entities may enter into self-determination contracts to purchase agricultural commodities under the food distribution program for the Indian reservation of that Tribal entity.
- (3) Eligibility
- (A) Consultation
- The Secretary shall consult with Tribal entities to determine the process under which each entity may participate in the demonstration project.
- (B) Criteria
- The Secretary shall select for participation in the demonstration project Tribal entities that—
- (i) are successfully administering the food distribution program of the Tribal entity;
- (ii) have the capacity to purchase agricultural commodities in accordance with paragraph (4) for the food distribution program of the Tribal entity; and
- (iii) meet any other criteria determined by the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior and Tribal entities.
- The Secretary shall select for participation in the demonstration project Tribal entities that—
- (A) Consultation
- (4) Procurement of agricultural commodities
- Any agricultural commodities purchased by a Tribal entity under the demonstration project shall—
- be domestically produced;
- not result in a material increase in the amount of food in the food package of that Tribal entity compared to the amount of food that the Secretary authorized to be provided through the CSFP Guide Rate;
- be of similar or higher nutritional value as the type of agricultural commodities that would be supplanted in the existing food package for that Tribal entity or be an agricultural commodity with Tribal significance to that Tribal entity; and
- meet any other criteria determined by the Secretary.
- Any agricultural commodities purchased by a Tribal entity under the demonstration project shall—
- (5) Report
- Not later than 1 year after the date on which funds are appropriated under paragraph (6), and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report describing the activities carried out under the demonstration project during the preceding year.
- (6) Funding
- (A) Authorization of appropriations
- There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this subsection $5,000,000, to remain available until expended.
- (B) Appropriations in advance
- With respect to any funds made available under subparagraph (A), only funds appropriated in advance specifically to carry out this subsection shall be available to carry out this subsection.
- (A) Authorization of appropriations
- (1) Definitions
- (b) Administration of Tribal self-Determination contracts
- (1) Administration
- The Secretary shall appoint an existing office of the Department of Agriculture to administer Tribal self-determination contracts, including—
- awarding of FNS nutrition program self-determination contracts to selected Tribal entities; and
- hiring contract officers and program staff in order to manage the selection of Tribal entities and execution of self-determination contracts.
- The Secretary shall appoint an existing office of the Department of Agriculture to administer Tribal self-determination contracts, including—
- (2) Staffing minimum funding
- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $1,200,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029 for the payment of Department contract officers and program staff salaries and benefits.
- (1) Administration