S. 1156 – Reading Mode

Calendar No. 166

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1156

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

March 30, 2023

Mr. Hickenlooper (for himself, Ms. Lummis, Ms. Hirono, and Mr. Mullin) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship

July 25, 2023

Reported by Mr. Cardin, with an amendment

Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic

A BILL

To establish an Office of Native American Affairs within the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Native American Entrepreneurial and Opportunity Act of 2023.

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)

Associate Administrator

The term Associate Administrator means the Associate 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 revitalize Native businesses and economic development in Indian country.

(2)

Connection with other programs

To the extent reasonable, the Office shall connect Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations to programs administered by other Federal agencies related to the interests described in paragraph (1).

(3)

Field offices

The Office may establish field offices within such regional offices of the Administration as may be necessary, with initial focus on those parts of Indian Country most economically disadvantaged, to perform efficiently the functions and responsibilities of the Office.

(c)

Associate Administrator

The Office shall be headed by an Associate 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)

carry out the program to provide assistance to Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations and small business concerns owned and controlled by individuals who are members of those groups;

(4)

administer and manage Native American outreach expansion;

(5)

enhance assistance to Native Americans by formulating and promoting policies, programs, and assistance that better address their entrepreneurial, capital access, business development, and contracting needs, and collaborate with other Associate Administrators and intergovernmental leaders with similar missions across Federal agencies on the development of policies and plans to implement new programs of the Administration, while supplementing existing Federal programs to holistically serve those needs;

(6)

act as an ombudsman for Native Americans for programs of the Administration;

(7)

provide grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, or other financial assistance to Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations, or to private nonprofit organizations governed by members of those entities, that have the experience and capability to—

(A)

deploy training, counseling, workshops, educational outreach, and supplier events; and

(B)

access the entrepreneurial, capital, and contracting programs of the Administration, including the Community Navigator pilot program;

(8)

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

(9)

recommend annual budgets for the Office.

(d)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Office such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028 to carry out this section.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Native American Entrepreneurial and Opportunity Act of 2023.

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)

Associate Administrator

The term Associate Administrator means the Associate 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

(2)

Connection with other programs

(3)

Alternative work sites

(A)

In general

The Office may establish alternative work sites within such regional offices of the Administration as may be necessary, with initial focus on those parts of Indian Country most economically disadvantaged, to perform efficiently the functions and responsibilities of the Office.

(B)

Prohibition

The alternative work sites established under subparagraph (A) shall not be field offices of the Administration.

(c)

Associate Administrator

The Office shall be headed by an Associate 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)

carry out the program to provide assistance to Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations and small business concerns owned and controlled by individuals who are members of those groups;

(4)

administer and manage Native American outreach expansion;

(5)

(6)

(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)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Office such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028 to carry out this section.

July 25, 2023

Reported with an amendment