This bill would create an Office of Native American Affairs inside the Small Business Administration (SBA). The Office would be led by an Assistant Administrator appointed by the SBA Administrator. The Office would work with Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations to target SBA programs for entrepreneurial development, contracting, and capital access. It would help establish or expand small businesses owned and controlled by Tribal and Native Hawaiian members and promote economic development in Indian country. The Office would also educate Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations about related federal programs. The Assistant Administrator must have knowledge of Native American cultures and experience providing culturally tailored small business assistance. The Office may provide grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, or other financial assistance to Tribes, Native Hawaiian Organizations, or nonprofits governed by Tribal or Native Hawaiian members to deliver training, counseling, workshops, outreach, and supplier events, and to help access SBA programs. The Assistant Administrator would help conduct Tribal consultation, recommend annual budgets, and report to Congress each year on clients served, consultations held, and trainings in Tribal country. The Office's authority would end seven years after enactment.
No publicly available information. The bill allows the Office to provide financial assistance and directs the Assistant Administrator to recommend annual budgets, but it does not set funding amounts or authorizations.
Supporters would say the Office is intended to improve access to SBA entrepreneurial, contracting, and capital programs for Tribal and Native Hawaiian communities; provide culturally tailored business development help; promote economic development in Indian country; and create a regular process for Tribal consultation and reporting.
No publicly available information.