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 The agency says those sections are outdated and serve no current purpose.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.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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