§6921 Office of Tribal Relations

Summary

Keep an Office of Tribal Relations inside the Secretary’s office to advise on policies affecting Indian tribes and to do other tasks the Secretary finds appropriate. Set up a Tribal Advisory Committee of 11 people to give advice and help with government-to-government consultation between the Department of Agriculture and tribes, but not to replace formal consultations. The committee is made up of 3 members chosen by the Secretary and 8 chosen by leaders of the House and Senate agriculture and Indian affairs committees (House Agriculture chair 2 and ranking member 2; Senate Agriculture chair 1 and ranking member 1; Senate Indian Affairs chair 1 and ranking member 1). The Secretary must accept nominations from Indian tribes, tribal organizations, or national/regional groups with relevant expertise. Members cannot be federal employees. Members serve three-year terms (the first three Secretary picks serve two years) and may be reappointed for up to three consecutive terms. Vacancies must be filled the same way within 90 days. The committee must meet in person at least twice a year, with nonvoting representatives from the Office of Tribal Relations and the Interior Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs present. The committee identifies tribal issues with Department programs, sends recommendations to the Secretary, and reports yearly to the Secretary and the relevant congressional committees. The Secretary must reply in writing within 45 days. Members are paid per day at the daily equivalent of the annual basic pay for Executive Schedule level IV (section 5315 of title 5). Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act does not apply to this committee. Definitions: Indian tribe and tribal organization — as defined in 25 U.S.C. 5304. Relevant committees — House Committee on Agriculture; Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.