1. POLICY ALERT:
Overview of the Tribal Tax and Investment Reform Act of 2026
The Tribal Tax and Investment Reform Act has been introduced in both chambers with strong alignment — 10 of the Senate’s 13 provisions are substantively identical to their House counterparts, covering core priorities including full governmental plan parity for Tribal pension and retirement plans, a permanent and enhanced Indian Employment Tax Credit (raising the per-employee wage limit from $20,000 to $30,000), a dedicated $175 million annual New Markets Tax Credit allocation for tribal area investments, inclusion of Indian areas as Difficult Development Areas for the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, Tribal charities and foundations treated equivalently to other government-sponsored entities, and income exclusions for IHS loan repayment and scholarship recipients.
The most substantive structural difference between the two versions is in Section 3’s Alaska Native bond authority: the Senate creates Alaska Native Corporation Economic Development Bonds under a corporate governance framework with a $45 million national cap, while the House instead establishes Alaska Native Intertribal Consortium Tax-Exempt Bonds with a broader consortium model that specifically enumerates eligible regional nonprofits.
Continue Reading the Policy Alert →
2. ADVOCACY:
NAFOA, 17 Partner Native Organizations Release New Economic Policy Brief for Congress
NAFOA and 17 endorsing Native organization partners co-released a joint brief presenting nine key legislative priorities and 15 FY 2027 appropriations requests to inform and drive the work of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives in support of Indian Country economic development during the Second Session of the 119th Congress. The brief is intended to work in tandem with a similar document presented to the Trump Administration last month, outlining steps the Executive Branch can take to support economic development in Tribal communities.
The brief, titled “Tribal Economic Development: Indian Country’s Policy and Funding Priorities for Congress,” uplifts various bills that are being actively deliberated by Congress, enjoy bipartisan support, and could pass by the end of the year. It also calls for increased or level funding for key federal programs and offices that will enhance and grow the U.S. government’s support of Tribal Nations as they build and sustain vibrant economies that benefit not just Native people, but all Americans. The brief serves as an abbreviated update to the policy brief the endorsing Native organizations provided to the incoming 119th Congress in late 2024.
Source: Native CDFI Network
3. CONFERENCE:
Session Spotlight: AI Data Centers: Economic Empowerment or the Next Extractive Industry?
With the rise of AI, Tribal Nations face new decisions regarding the benefits, risks, and infrastructure required for data centers on their land. During the General Session on Tuesday, April 28th, panelists will discuss key considerations for evaluating proposals for market timing and sustainability, helping leaders safeguard long-term stability over a speculative bubble.
4. PROFESIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
In-Person Introductory Tribal Finance and Accounting Certificate
Program Dates: May 19-22, 2026
Cost: $1,850 NAFOA Member Tribes and $2,000 nonmembers
This four-day cohort program provides the opportunity to connect with other Tribal peers while gaining knowledge and experience to help become a more effective tribal finance/accounting professional and leader. You will have the opportunity to interact with and learn from other tribal finance/accounting professionals throughout the state and across the country.
Registration includes digital instruction, materials, certificates, and one copy of “Financial Reporting and Information Guide for Tribal Governments and Enterprises (Orange Book)” as published by NAFOA.
5. JOB OPPORTUNITY:
Deputy Financial Officer, Absentee Shawnee Tribe Health System
This position supports the Financial Officer and acts as the Deputy Director for the Finance/Business Office in absence of Financial Officer; employee produces rich, in-depth content for analyzing the implications of AST Health Programs financial actions on day’ to day business operations. This role’s primary responsibility will be to research, analyze, gather quantitative data, and build high-level budget and financial analysis to assess the impact of potential outcomes. Serves as the conduit for health system revenue-cycle accountability and viable patient financial services department; alerts leadership to changes and challenges emerging that could interrupt revenue-cycle production within the health system as to allow leadership response(s) to be timely and actionable to prevent losses as well as assure and sustain ongoing audit ready accountability to both the Tribe and Health System.
