H.R. 2603House116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

Northern Mariana Islands Small Business Act

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Updated April 14, 2026 at 4:50 AM UTC

The Northern Mariana Islands Small Business Act amends the Small Business Act so that the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) can participate in the same Small Business Administration (SBA) programs that are currently available to American Samoa. The changes make CNMI‑based small businesses eligible for SBA assistance and remove a specific SBA requirement for applicants located in the CNMI.

Key Provisions

Amends section 7(m)(7)(B) of the Small Business Act to add the CNMI to the list of territories eligible for SBA programs.
Updates a date reference in clause (i)(I)(bb) from "1/55" to "1/56".
Amends section 21(a) to state that a particular SBA requirement does not apply to applicants whose principal office is in the CNMI, and adds the CNMI to the list of eligible territories.
Amends section 34(a)(9) to include the CNMI in the list of territories eligible for SBA programs.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.

Small Business Committee

May 8, 2019

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 8, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E560)

May 8, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.

Small Business Committee

May 8, 2019

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued May 8, 2019

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2603

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 8, 2019

Mr. Sablan introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Small Business

A BILL

To amend the Small Business Act to ensure that the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is eligible for certain Small Business Administration programs, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Northern Mariana Islands Small Business Act.

Eligibility of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands for certain Small Business Administration programs

The Small Business Act is amended—

(1)

in section 7(m)(7)(B) (15 U.S.C. 636(m)(7)(B))—

(A)

by striking and American Samoa each place such term appears and inserting American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; and

(B)

in clause (i)(I)(bb), by striking 1/55 and inserting 1/56;

(2)

in section 21(a) (15 U.S.C. 648(a))—

(A)

in paragraph (1), by inserting before The Administration shall require the following new sentence: The previous sentence shall not apply to an applicant that has its principal office located in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.; and

(B)

in paragraph (4)(C)(ix), by striking and American Samoa and inserting American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; and

(3)

in section 34(a)(9) (15 U.S.C. 657d(a)(9)), by striking and American Samoa and inserting American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.