{"id":452139,"date":"2026-03-16T10:37:14","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T15:37:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/?p=452139"},"modified":"2026-03-16T14:46:30","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T19:46:30","slug":"nafoa-5-things-you-need-to-know-this-week-march-16-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2026\/03\/16\/nafoa-5-things-you-need-to-know-this-week-march-16-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"NAFOA: 5 Things You Need to Know This Week (March 16, 2026)"},"content":{"rendered":" \"NAFOA\"<\/a>
We\u2019re excited to welcome back Los Angeles, California-based comedian, writer, and member of the Jicarilla Apache Tribe, Gigi Modrich, to Emcee #NAFOA2026. Gigi brings a warm, hilarious, and seamless flow to every moment of our conference. We\u2019re thrilled to have her guide us through an exciting and informative two-days. Photo courtesy NAFOA<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n
5 Things You Need to Know This Week<\/div>\r\n
NAFOA Executive Director to Testify During American Indian and Alaska Native Public Witness Hearings<\/div>\r\n
Monday, March 16, 2026<\/div>\r\n
Source: NAFOA<\/div>\r\n
nafoa.org<\/a><\/div>\r\n

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1. POLICY<\/em><\/div>\r\n
Overview of the Tribal Tax and Investment Reform Act of 2026<\/div>\r\nThe Tribal Tax and Investment Reform Act has been introduced in both chambers with strong alignment \u2014 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.\r\n

<\/P>\r\nThe 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. [Tribal Tax and Investment Reform Act: S.2022<\/a> |\r\nH.R.7705<\/a>]\r\n

<\/P>\r\nContinue Reading NAFOA Policy Alert<\/a>\r\n\r\n

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2. CONFERENCE<\/em><\/div>\r\n
Spotlight on Tribal Energy: Financing, Development & Real-World Lessons<\/div>\r\nAttendees at #NAFOA2026 will have the opportunity to dive deeper into the financial and strategic foundations of Tribal energy development through a series of focused sessions. Experts in energy development, finance, and operations will share practical guidance on preparing projects for successful underwriting, building strong financial models, and securing the right capital partners. You\u2019ll also hear firsthand perspectives from Native finance leaders who are actively investing in projects that strengthen Tribal economies and advance energy sovereignty.\r\n

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