Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act
Description
This bill would formally establish the Office of Native American Affairs within the SBA to support tribal and Native Hawaiian businesses.
Summary
What it does
This bill would provide formal statutory authority for the Office of Native American Affairs within the Small Business Administration (SBA). The office would be required to work with Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to target SBA programs toward increasing capital access, contracting opportunities, and entrepreneurial development. These efforts would focus on expanding small businesses owned by tribal members or Native Hawaiians and promoting economic development in Indian country.
Who is affected
This bill affects the Small Business Administration (SBA) by formally establishing the Office of Native American Affairs within the agency. The legislation also impacts members of Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations who own or control small businesses, as well as the tribal and Native Hawaiian entities themselves. Additionally, the bill targets economic development efforts within Indian country through SBA programs focused on capital access, contracting, and entrepreneurial development.
Key provisions
- Establishment of the Office of Native American Affairs. Provides formal statutory authority for the creation of the Office of Native American Affairs within the Small Business Administration.
- Tribal and Native Hawaiian Organizational Partnerships. Requires the office to build working relationships with Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to target small business programs.
- Targeted Small Business Support. Directs SBA programs focused on entrepreneurial development, contracting, and capital access toward small businesses owned and controlled by members of Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations.
- Economic Development in Indian Country. Mandates the promotion of economic development initiatives specifically within Indian country.
Fiscal impact
- H.R. 7396, Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act· As reported by the House Committee on Small Business on February 17, 2026
Effective dates
Not applicable: Official Summary does not address effective dates
Relationship to existing law
This bill provides formal statutory authority for the Office of Native American Affairs within the Small Business Administration (SBA). It directs the office to coordinate existing SBA programs—specifically those involving entrepreneurial development, contracting, and capital access—to support small businesses owned by members of Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations.
Stated purpose
The bill aims to provide statutory authority for the Office of Native American Affairs within the Small Business Administration to enhance economic development in Indian country. Its purpose is to support small businesses owned by members of Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations by targeting programs focused on entrepreneurial development, contracting, and access to capital.