HUD Tribal Intergovernmental Advisory Committee

(a) Definitions In this section: (1) Committee The term Committee means the Tribal Intergovernmental Advisory Committee described in subsection (b). (2) Department The term Department means the Department of Housing and Urban Development. (b) Establishment The Secretary shall maintain the Tribal Intergovernmental Advisory Committee to facilitate a formal government-to-government advisory body composed of leaders of Federally recognized tribes (or their designated employees with authority to act on their behalf) to provide policy recommendations on programs and activities of the Department that affect Indian and Alaska Native communities. (c) Membership The Committee shall— (1) be composed of— (A) not more than 16 Tribal delegates, of whom, to the extent practicable— (i) 2 members each should be from each of the regions of the Office of Native American Programs of the Department; and (ii) not more than 3 members should be at-large members; and (B) representatives of the Department, including the Secretary or a designee thereof and relevant Assistant Secretaries; and (2) include 2 Tribal co-chairs selected by and from among the delegates described in paragraph (1)(A). (d) Duties The Committee shall— (1) advise the Department on housing priorities for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities; (2) recommend policy, funding, and administrative improvements for programs of the Department impacting Indian tribes; (3) enhance intergovernmental communication and coordination on initiatives of the Department; (4) support region- and national-level Tribal consultation processes; and (5) ensure timely Tribally informed feedback in policy development. (e) Operations The Committee shall— (1) develop and follow internal bylaws or protocols; (2) hold not less than 2 meetings per year, in-person or virtually; (3) reimburse travel and participation costs; and (4) notwithstanding subsection (c)(1)(A)(iii), be exempt from chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code, pursuant to section 204(b) of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1534(b)). (f) Terms; alternates (1) Terms Members described in subsection (c)(1)(A) shall serve staggered 2-year terms, with initial staggering as determined by the Secretary. (2) Alternates Alternates may be designated by Indian tribes to serve on the Committee in the absence of the primary delegate. (g) Support The Secretary shall provide staff support, logistics, meeting facilities, and administrative resources for the Committee, subject to the availability of appropriated funds.