S. 2709 — Introduced in Senate

II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2709 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 27, 2023Mr. Heinrich introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry A BILL To amend the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to establish an Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Tribal Relations, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Strengthening the Office of Tribal Relations Act of 2023. 2. Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Tribal Relations (a) In general Section 218 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6918) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (2), by striking and at the end; (B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (4) Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Tribal Relations. ; (2) in subsection (b), by striking (1) or (3) and inserting (1), (3), or (4); and (3) by adding at the end the following: (d) Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Tribal Relations (1) Appointment In appointing an individual to the position of Assistant Secretary for Tribal Relations, the Secretary shall give priority to an individual who has a background in Tribal relations or affairs. (2) Duties The Secretary may delegate to the Assistant Secretary for Tribal Relations responsibility for— (A) overseeing the Office of Tribal Relations of the Department; (B) planning, coordinating, and implementing policies and programs of the Department serving Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations; (C) coordinating Tribal programs and activities in all offices and agencies of the Department; and (D) being a participant in any negotiated rulemakings relating to, or having an impact on, projects, programs, or funding associated with the Tribal programs of the Department. . (b) Compensation Section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking Assistant Secretaries of Agriculture (3) and inserting Assistant Secretaries of Agriculture (4). (c) Conforming amendment Section 296(b) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 7014(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (11) The authority of the Secretary to establish within the Department the position of Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Tribal Relations, and delegate duties to the Assistant Secretary, under section 218. .