Template Comments for Treasury and IRS Priority Guidance Plan
Coalition Member USET Sovereignty Protection Fund (USET SPF) has prepared template comments formember Tribal Nations to use in response to Treasury and IRS Notice 2026‑23, which invites recommendations for the agencies’ 2026–2027 Priority Guidance Plan. The goal is to ensure Tribal tax priorities are strongly represented in the next year’s regulatory and guidance agenda by generating a high volume of consistent Tribalcomments.
The USET SPF templates urge Treasury and IRS to focus on three key areas:Easing barriers to Tribal tax‑exempt bond financing.Clarifying the tax status of partially owned Tribally chartered entities.Determining Tribal political subdivisions for excise tax purposes.
Member Tribal Nations are encouraged to submit comments that both endorse these priorities and describe their own specific tax issues affecting Tribal citizens, governments, and enterprises. Comments are due Friday, May 29, 2026, and should be submitted through regulations.gov under Docket ID No. IRS‑2026‑0364.
For support or questions about the templates, USET SPF members can contact Liz Malerba, Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs, at lmalerba@usetinc.org.
SBA 8(a) “Fraud, Waste, and Abuse” Rule Expected This Week
Coalition member the Native American Contractors Association (NACA) has alerted Native 8(a) stakeholders that the Small Business Administration’s forthcoming 8(a) rule titled “Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Reforms” is expected to be published in the Federal Register very soon. Based on information NACA has received, Native entity‑owned 8(a) firms are anticipated to be largely protected in the draft rule – a development NACA is viewing as a direct result of sustained Native advocacy over the past several months.
NACA plans to closely review and analyze the regulation as soon as it is published, including its impacts on both entity‑owned and individually owned 8(a) firms. NACA is asking Native 8(a) businesses and partners to flag any news or developments they see related to the rule’s release so that Native advocates can respond quickly with coordinated analysis, communication to agencies and Congress, and any further needed advocacy. Please contact NACA Legislative Director, Josh Jackson via email at josh@nativecontractors.org with any questions or information.
As this process moves forward, NACA reiterates its commitment to defending the Native 8(a) Program and thanks Tribal, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian leaders and enterprises for their continued partnership and support in protecting this critical economic development tool.
NCUIH Community of Learning: Strengthening Vaccine Confidence – Closing Session
Coalition member the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) will host a Community of Learning session, “Strengthening Vaccine Confidence in Native Communities: Listening Back and Looking Forward,” on June 17, 2026, from 2:00–2:45 p.m. ET. This 45‑minute virtual gathering will close NCUIH’s four‑part series on vaccine confidence by reflecting on key lessons learned and effective approaches shared across the collaborative.
During the session, participants will take part in a facilitated discussion and open forum to share priorities, strategies, and next steps for strengthening immunization efforts in their communities, with an option to submit comments anonymously to encourage candid dialogue and peer‑supported problem solving. The conversation will be guided by Alyssa Smith‑Longee, MPH, BSN, RN, Certified Pediatric Nurse (Assiniboine/Sioux – Fort Peck), who will help attendees:
Discuss key takeaways and best practices from the full Community of Learning series
Review how social media toolkits can bolster outreach and community engagement
Explore opportunities for ongoing peer learning, collaboration, and support around immunizations
Urban Indian Organization staff and leadership are encouraged to attend and help shape the path forward for vaccine confidence work in Native communities.
Learn more and register here.
Congress Reintroduces AI/AN CAPTA to Expand Tribal Child Abuse Prevention Funding
Earlier this year, Senators Lisa Murkowski (R‑AK) and Elizabeth Warren (D‑MA), together with Representative Adelita Grijalva (D‑AZ), reintroduced the American Indian and Alaska Native Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (AI/AN CAPTA) in the Senate and House (S. 4179 and H.R. 8048). The bills would amend the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) to increase funding available to Tribal Nations for child abuse and neglect prevention and ensure Tribes receive an equitable share of federal prevention grants.
AI/AN CAPTA would create a dedicated Tribal set‑aside for child abuse prevention funding and increase that set‑aside to five percent, supporting sustained investment in Tribal prevention programming and culturally grounded strategies designed by Tribal Nations and Tribal organizations. Under current law, Tribes and Tribal organizations must compete for a shared 1% set‑aside, which only funds two Tribal grantees per three‑year grant cycle, leaving many communities without needed federal prevention resources.
The National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) is urging Tribal Nations, Tribal organizations, and advocates for Native children and families to contact their Senators and Representatives to:
Ask them to co‑sponsor S. 4179 and H.R. 8048, and
Support passage of AI/AN CAPTA by the full Senate and House.
For Tribal Nations and Tribal organizations, Coalition member the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) has developed a sample letter that can be adapted and sent on official letterhead to congressional offices to demonstrate broad support and highlight community‑specific needs.
Learn more here.