HR-8513 : Still Just a Bill

The "CSFP Tribal Nutrition Sovereignty Act" or H.R. 8513 aims to enhance Tribal sovereignty over food resources by establishing a demonstration project. Key provisions include:

• Demonstration Project: Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to create a project allowing Tribal entities to use self-determination contracts to purchase agricultural commodities under the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP).
• Eligibility Criteria: Specifies that participating Tribal entities must successfully administer their current food distribution programs and have the capacity to procure agricultural commodities.
• Commodity Requirements: Mandates that purchased agricultural commodities be domestically produced, nutritionally equivalent to or better than existing options, and potentially hold Tribal significance.
• Reporting: Requires the Secretary to submit annual reports to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees on the project's activities.
• Funding: Authorizes $5,000,000 for the demonstration project and $1,200,000 annually from 2025-2028 for administrative staffing to manage Tribal self-determination contracts.