SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

HUD established the TIAC in 2022 to further enhance consultation and collaboration with Tribal governments. It has provided critical support to HUD as it formulates policies with a direct impact on Tribes and tribally designated housing entities (TDHEs). TIAC members serve 2-year terms. At the end of calendar year 2026, seven of the representatives' terms will end.

II. Nominations for TIAC Membership

HUD is requesting nominations for Tribal representatives to serve on the TIAC, starting in January 2027, for 2-year terms. Nominations are due on or before: November 2, 2026. Nominations are encouraged from all regions of the continental United States and Alaska. If you are interested in serving as a member or in nominating another person to serve as a member, you may submit a nomination to HUD in accordance with the Electronic Submission of Nominations section of this notice. Your nomination for TIAC membership must include:

1. The name of the nominee, a description of the interests the nominee would represent, and a description of the nominee's experience and interest in American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) housing and community development;

2. Evidence that the nominee is a duly elected or appointed Tribal leader and is authorized to represent a federally recognized Tribal government or Alaska Native Corporation; and

3. A written commitment from the nominee that they will actively engage and participate in TIAC meetings.

HUD will appoint TIAC members from the pool of nominees submitted in response to this notice. HUD will announce the final selections for TIAC membership in a future Federal Register notice. Members will be selected based on proven experience and interest in AIAN housing and community development and whether their interest could be represented adequately by other members. In addition to regional members, at-large members will be selected based on their ability to represent specific interests that might not be represented by the selected regional members. For membership requirements, see section III.C.

III. Purpose of TIAC and Meetings

A. Purpose and Role of TIAC

The purposes of the TIAC are:

(1) To further facilitate intergovernmental communication between HUD and Tribal leaders of federally recognized Tribes on all HUD programs;

(2) To make recommendations to HUD regarding current program regulations that may require revision, as well as suggest rulemaking methods to develop such changes. The TIAC will not, however, negotiate changes to regulations subject to negotiated rulemaking under section 106 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act and will not serve in place of any future negotiated rulemaking committee established by HUD; and

(3) To advise in the development of HUD's AIAN housing priorities. The role of the TIAC is to provide recommendations and input to HUD and to provide a vehicle for regular, meaningful consultation and collaboration with Tribal officials. It does not replace other means of Tribal consultations, but, rather, supplements them. HUD maintains the responsibility to exercise program management, including drafting of HUD notices, guidance documents, and regulations.

B. Meetings and Participation

Subject to availability of Federal funding, the TIAC plans to meet in-person twice per year (once at HUD's office in Alexandria, VA and once at another location) to discuss agency policies and activities with HUD, set shared priorities, and facilitate further consultation with Tribal leaders. HUD will pay for these meetings, including members' travel costs. The TIAC may meet on a more frequent basis virtually ( printed page 56163) or other forms of communication. Additional in-person meetings may be scheduled at HUD's discretion. Participation at TIAC meetings is limited to TIAC members or their alternates. Alternates must be designated in writing by the member's Tribal government to officially act on their behalf. TIAC members may bring one technical advisor to the meeting at their expense. Meeting summaries are available on HUD's website.

C. TIAC Membership

The TIAC is comprised of HUD representatives and 15 Tribal delegates from across the country, representing small, medium, and large Tribes. The Secretary will appoint the HUD representatives of the TIAC, including the Secretary (or their designee) as well as the Assistant Secretaries for the Office of Public and Indian Housing; Office of Policy, Development, and Research; Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity; Office of Field Policy Management; Office of Housing; Government National Mortgage Association; and Office of Community Planning and Development (or their designees). Two Tribal delegates represent each of the six Office of Native American Program regions, while the three remaining Tribal delegates serve at-large.

Only elected officers of a Tribal government acting in their official capacities with authority to act on behalf of the Tribal government may serve as TIAC delegates or alternate delegates. Tribal employees are eligible if appointed by a duly elected Tribal leader of a federally recognized Tribe and are authorized to officially act on the Tribal government's behalf. Elected officials representing Alaska Native Corporations, or designated employees, may also serve on TIAC at HUD's discretion provided they demonstrate that they meet the criteria specified in the statutory exemption to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) found in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) at 2 U.S.C. 1534(b).

Because TIAC operates under the Tribal government statutory exemption of FACA found in the UMRA, HUD will not consider nominees solely representing TDHEs, State-recognized Tribes, or national or regional organizations. However, HUD will consider nominations from associations that represent elected officials of Tribes designated by an elected Tribal leader to participate in TIAC.

TIAC Tribal delegates serve a 2-year term. Should a delegate's tenure as a Tribal leader end during their appointment to the TIAC, the delegate's Tribe will nominate a replacement or designate a current alternate to represent the Tribe.

91 FR 56162