Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) Act of 2025

This bill, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) Act of 2025, would expand control of the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations by allowing Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations to enter into self-determination contracts and self-governance agreements with the Secretary of Agriculture. Under these agreements, an Indian entity could purchase FDPIR agricultural commodities for its reservation and administer all or parts of the FDPIR operations, shifting more program oversight and procurement authority from the federal government to tribal entities. The measure ties these arrangements to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDA) framework, using ISDA’s contract and funding concepts and requiring liberal construction in favor of the Indian entity. Key features include a definition of eligible Indian entities, a presumption of eligibility for those meeting ISDA criteria, a requirement that purchased commodities be domestically produced and not alter the overall food package quantity (relative to the FDPIR guide rate), and a mandate for annual reporting to Congress on the activities carried out under these agreements. The bill also states that such negotiations must follow ISDA Title I or IV rules, with Department of Interior regulations adapted by agreement and with the Indian entity’s consent. Finally, it terminates FDPIR demonstration programs established under the 2018 Farm Act once the performance period for all tribes ends.