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 project means the demonstration project established under paragraph (2). (B) Food distribution program The term food distribution program means the commodity supplemental food program identified in section 4 of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note; Public Law 93–86). (C) Indian reservation The term Indian reservation has the meaning given the term reservation in section 3 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012). (D) Indian tribe The term Indian Tribe has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). (E) Self-determination contract The term self-determination contract has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304) with modification as determined by the Secretary. (F) Tribal organization The term Tribal organization has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012). (2) Establishment Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall establish a demonstration project under which 1 or more Tribal organizations may enter into self-determination contracts to purchase agricultural commodities under the food distribution program for the Indian reservation of that Tribal organization. (3) Eligibility (A) Consultation The Secretary shall consult with Indian Tribes to determine the process and criteria under which a Tribal organization may participate in the demonstration project. (B) Criteria The Secretary shall select for participation in the demonstration project Tribal organizations that— (i) are successfully administering the food distribution program of the Tribal organization under section 4(b)(2)(B) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2013(b)(2)(B)); (ii) have the capacity to purchase agricultural commodities in accordance with paragraph (4) for the food distribution program of the Tribal organization; and (iii) meet any other criteria determined by the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior and Indian Tribes. (4) Procurement of agricultural commodities Any agricultural commodities purchased by a Tribal organization under the demonstration project shall— (A) be domestically produced; (B) not result in a material increase in the amount of food in the food package of that Tribal organization compared to the amount of food that the Secretary authorized to be provided through the Commodity Supplemental Food Program Guide Rate; (C) 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 organization or be an agricultural commodity with Tribal significance to that Indian Tribe; and (D) meet any other criteria determined by the Secretary. (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 carry out this subsection $1,000,000, to remain available until expended. (B) Appropriations in advance Only funds appropriated under subparagraph (A) in advance specifically to carry out this subsection shall be available to carry out this subsection. (b) Administration of tribal self-Determination contracts (1) Administration The Secretary shall appoint an existing office of the United States Department of Agriculture to administer Tribal self-determination contracts to include but not limited to: (A) awarding of Food and Nutrition Service nutrition program self-determination contracts to selected Tribal organizations; and (B) hiring contract officers and program staff in order to manage the selection of Tribal organizations and execution of self-determination contracts. (2) Staffing minimum funding Notwithstanding any other provision of law, there is authorized to be appropriated $1,200,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for the payment of Department contract officers and program staff salaries and benefits.