HHS Cuts Red Tape for Native American Aid Programs
Published Date: 3/27/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The Department of Health and Human Services is making rules simpler for Native American programs by cutting out old, confusing regulations. This change helps Native communities get support faster and with less hassle. People can share their thoughts on these updates until April 27, 2026, and the new rules aim to save time and money for everyone involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Cuts red tape for Native programs
The rule would remove unnecessary and obsolete parts of 45 CFR part 1336 so Native communities, Tribal lead agencies, States, and Territories can get grant support with less hassle. The preamble says the change is intended to save time and money for everyone involved and to help communities get support faster.
Application rules moved into NOFOs
HHS proposes to remove regulatory language that specifies eligibility, application submission requirements, work plans, grant length, and ineligible activities, and instead rely on Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) or grant terms for those details. The agency says this will let grantees and applicants find application-specific information in NOFOs rather than the Code of Federal Regulations.
Removes Native Hawaiian loan fund rules
The proposal would remove sections 1336.60 through 1336.77 that governed the Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund because the fund's appropriations ended in FY2021 and the demonstration project period has ended. The agency says those sections are outdated and serve no current purpose.
No new paperwork requirements
The proposed rule states it does not contain any information collection requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act and therefore will not create new paperwork burdens or change existing OMB-approved collections.
Agency: small entities not significantly affected
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, HHS proposes to certify that repealing obsolete and unnecessary language would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-09383 — Restoring Flexibility To Support Head Start Program Access
The government wants to give Head Start programs more freedom by removing some strict rules about staff wages and benefits. This change aims to save over $2 billion and help programs serve more kids better. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to comment by June 11, 2026!
2026-06632 — Work Participation Rate Calculation Changes: Recalibration of the Caseload Reduction Credit and Prohibition of Small Checks in Work Participation Rate Calculation
The government is updating how it measures work participation for families getting help through TANF. They’re changing the base year for counting caseload drops from 2005 to 2015 and won’t count tiny monthly payments under $35 in work rate calculations. These changes, required by a 2023 law, affect states and could impact funding starting soon, so everyone should pay attention and share their thoughts by May 6, 2026.
2026-09749 — Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Consumer Education Website and Reports of Serious Injuries and Death
The government is asking to keep the Child Care Consumer Education website and serious injury/death reporting rules for three more years, with no changes to how states and providers report. This affects all states, DC, and territories that get child care funds, helping families stay informed and safe. Comments are open until June 15, 2026, and the paperwork burden has been slightly lowered.
2026-09623 — Proposed Information Collection Activity; Guidance for Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program, ACF-123
Tribal groups running Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs will see clearer, simpler instructions for submitting their plans. These updates cut the time it takes to respond by about a third, making the process faster and easier. Comments on these changes are open until July 13, 2026, and the guidance extension lasts three more years with no extra costs.
2026-09620 — Proposed Information Collection Activity; Community Services Block Grant Disaster Supplemental Annual Report (New Collection)
The government wants to start collecting a new annual report about how disaster relief money from Hurricanes Fiona and Ian is being used to help low-income families recover. This affects states like Florida, South Carolina, and Puerto Rico, plus any future disaster funding. They’re asking for public feedback by July 13, 2026, to make sure the report works well without causing extra hassle or costs.
2026-08989 — Proposed Information Collection Activity; Evaluation of the Next Generation Child Support Employment Services Demonstration-New Information Collection Request
The government is launching a 5-year project called NextGen to help noncustodial parents get better jobs and pay child support more consistently. Ten child support agencies across the U.S. will try out new programs, and researchers will study how well these efforts work. If you’re involved with these agencies or interested in child support, now’s the time to share your thoughts before July 6, 2026!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-05977 — Perchloroethylene (PCE) and Carbon Tetrachloride (CTC); Regulation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Compliance Date Extensions
The EPA is giving businesses and federal agencies more time to follow safety rules for handling two chemicals, PCE and CTC. Non-federal owners and operators now have until mid-2027 or late 2027 to complete key safety steps like monitoring exposure and providing protective gear. This extension helps everyone get ready without rushing, potentially saving money and avoiding penalties.
Next: 2026-05997 — Reducing Bureaucracy and Burden for Human Services and Emergency Response Programs-Repatriation Program
The Department of Health and Human Services wants to simplify rules for helping U.S. citizens, including those with mental health needs, who come back from other countries. This change cuts out old, unnecessary steps to make the process faster and easier for everyone involved. People can share their thoughts on these updates by April 27, 2026, with no new costs expected.