Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7396) to establish an Office of Native American Affairs within the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 7396

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act''. SEC. 2. OFFICE OF NATIVE AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

The Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.) is amended--

(1) by redesignating section 49 (15 U.S.C. 631 note) as section 50; and

(2) by inserting after section 48 (15 U.S.C. 657u) the following: ``SEC. 49. OFFICE OF NATIVE AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

``(a) Definitions.--In this section:

``(1) Assistant administrator.--The term `Assistant Administrator' means the Assistant Administrator for Native American Affairs appointed under subsection (c).

``(2) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian Tribe' has the meaning given the term `Indian tribe' in section 8(a)(13).

``(3) Native hawaiian organization.--The term `Native Hawaiian Organization' has the meaning given the term in section 8(a)(15).

``(4) Office.--The term `Office' means the Office of Native American Affairs described in this section.

``(b) Establishment.--

``(1) In general.--There may be established within the Administration the Office of Native American Affairs, which shall be responsible for establishing a working relationship with Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations by targeting programs of the Administration relating to entrepreneurial development, contracting, and capital access to--

``(A) establish or expand small business concerns owned and controlled by individuals who are members of Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian Organizations; and

``(B) promote economic development in Indian country (as defined in section 1151 of title 18, United States Code).

``(2) Connection with other programs.--To the extent reasonable, the Office shall educate Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations about programs administered by other Federal agencies related to the interests described in paragraph (1).

``(c) Assistant Administrator.--The Office shall be headed by an Assistant Administrator for Native American Affairs, who shall--

``(1) be appointed by and report to the Administrator;

``(2) have knowledge of Native American cultures and experience providing culturally tailored small business development assistance to Native Americans;

``(3) provide assistance to Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations and small business concerns owned and controlled by individuals who are members of Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian Organizations;

``(4) formulate policies, and promote policies and existing programs, to better address the entrepreneurial, capital access, business development, and contracting needs of persons described in paragraph (3);

``(5) collaborate with Associate Administrators within the Administration and officials of other Federal agencies to develop policies and plans to implement programs of the Administration to holistically address the needs described in paragraph (4);

``(6) provide assistance, including grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, or other financial assistance, to Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations, or to private nonprofit organizations governed by members of Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian Organizations that have the experience and capability to use the assistance to--

``(A) deploy training, counseling, workshops, educational outreach, and supplier events; and

``(B) access the entrepreneurial, capital, and contracting programs of the Administration;

``(7) assist the Administrator in conducting, or conduct, Tribal consultation to solicit input and facilitate discussion of potential modifications to programs and procedures of the Administration; and

``(8) recommend annual budgets for the Office.

``(d) Report to Congress.--On an annual basis until the termination date, the Assistant Administrator shall submit to Congress a report on the effectiveness of the Office of Native American Affairs that includes the number of clients served in Tribal communities, the number of consultations conducted, and the number of trainings held in Tribal country.

``(e) Termination.--The authority under this section shall terminate 7 years after the date of the enactment of this section.''.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 7396, the Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act, introduced by Representative Davids from the great State of Kansas, Representative Ellzey from the great State of Texas, Representative Morrison from the great State of Minnesota, and Representative Crane from the great State of Arizona.

The bill codifies the Office of Native American Affairs within the Small Business Administration.

The SBA's entrepreneurial development programs help small businesses start, grow, and compete by providing training, counseling, and access to critical resources. For years, the Office of Native American Affairs has played an important role in delivering these services to Native American entrepreneurs and conducting consultations with Tribal communities.

Despite its longstanding work, the office has never been formally authorized by Congress.

In addition to codifying the office, this legislation strengthens oversight by requiring an annual report to Congress. The report will detail the office's activities, including the number of clients served, consultations conducted, and training provided.

The reporting requirement will improve congressional oversight and help ensure resources are being effectively deployed.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, we must pass H.R. 7396 to ensure consistent, long-term support and access to resources for Native American entrepreneurs and Tribal businesses, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 7396 to strengthen economic opportunity in Native American communities and provide certainty that this important SBA office will continue its work.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source