Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act

119 HR 7396 RH: Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act U.S. House of Representatives 2026-02-17 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IB Union Calendar No. 424 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7396 [Report No. 119–498] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 5, 2026 Ms. Davids of Kansas (for herself, Mr. Ellzey , Ms. Morrison , and Mr. Crane ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Small Business February 17, 2026 Additional sponsor: Ms. Scholten February 17, 2026 Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed A BILL To establish an Office of Native American Affairs within the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act . 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: 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 is 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. . February 17, 2026 Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed