H.R. 6021House116th Congress (2019-2021)Passed House

Northern Mariana Islands Small Business Development Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 11:15 AM UTC

The Northern Mariana Islands Small Business Development Act changes the Small Business Act so that businesses located in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) can participate in certain Small Business Administration (SBA) programs. It removes a restriction that previously barred some applicants and adds the CNMI to the list of territories that are explicitly eligible. The bill mainly affects small‑business owners in the CNMI who seek SBA assistance.

Key Provisions

Adds a new sentence stating that the existing requirement does not apply to any applicant whose principal office is in the CNMI.
Amends the eligibility language in two sections of the Small Business Act to include the CNMI alongside American Samoa, allowing CNMI businesses to qualify for the same SBA programs.

Legislative Activity

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10 earlier actions

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

September 15, 2020

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

February 28, 2020

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.

Small Business Committee

February 28, 2020

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Small Business Committee

March 11, 2020

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

Small Business Committee

March 11, 2020

HouseFloor

Ms. Velazquez moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

September 14, 2020 • 2:33 PM

HouseFloor

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4345-4346)

September 14, 2020 • 2:34 PM

HouseFloor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6021.

September 14, 2020 • 2:34 PM

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

September 14, 2020 • 2:39 PM

HouseFloor

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4345-4346)

September 14, 2020 • 2:39 PM

HouseFloor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

September 14, 2020 • 2:39 PM

SenateIntro Referral

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

September 15, 2020

Bill Text

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Referred in SenateIssued September 15, 2020

IIB

116th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 6021

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

September 15, 2020

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship

AN ACT

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 Development 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 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

(2)

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.

Passed the House of Representatives September 14, 2020.

Cheryl L. Johnson,

Clerk