Tribal Funding Under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021

Corrine Wilson | April 5, 2021

The ARP legislation approved by the President on March 13, 2021 includes about $31B in resources to Indian Country. Now, federal agencies are holding consultation sessions with Tribes for their input on the distribution and feedback on implementing the Act’s uses. REDW will watch for implementing regulations, which we would expect to see published over the next couple of months. In the meantime, the following is a brief overview of what Tribes should consider for planning purposes. Read more.

No Longer Mandatory: FFCRA Leave Provisions

Corrine Wilson | January 12, 2021

The Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) extended the payroll tax credit available to employers for amounts paid under the EPSLA and EFMLEA through March 31, 2021, but did not extend the mandate to provide the leave. Therefore, employers may elect to voluntarily continue to offer the paid leave to those employees who did not exhaust the leave in 2020. Read more.

Treasury Clarification on COVID-19 Relief Funds: No Single Audits for Tribally Owned Commercial Entities

Corrine Wilson | December 1, 2020

The U.S. Treasury Department has clarified that audits for tribally owned commercial entities which received COVID-19 Relief Funds from their tribes do not have to have a single audit. Read more.

Updated CARES Act Guidance for Tribes

Corrine Wilson | June 3, 2020

On May 28, the U.S. Treasury issued additional FAQs that provide guidance for tribal, state and local governments. REDW Principal and National Tribal Practice leader, Corrine Wilson, highlights new, important elements for Tribes in consideration of how to expend, allocate and use COVID-19 Relief Funds under the CARES Act. Read more.

Tribes to Benefit from Priority Window for FCC Licenses

Corrine Wilson | December 4, 2019

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced that it will open a tribal priority window for tribes to acquire licenses for spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band before the licenses to to auction. Read more.

Social Security Parity for Tribes

Corrine Wilson | September 24, 2018

On September 6, the Senate passed H.R. 6124, the Tribal Social Security Fairness Act of 2018. The bill, which amends Title II of the Social Security Act, was passed by both the House and Senate by unanimous consent in identical form. It was presented to the President on September 12 and signed into law on September 20.

Currently, tribal council members are not allowed to pay into the Social Security program, but state and local government officials are. The Act corrects this by allowing tribal governments to opt in to agreements that provide Social Security coverage (including Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance benefits) to council members. Read more.