Sharice Davids (D-KS)
Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act
A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House voice vote
- In Senate committee
The House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together): no member's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
The Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act aims to establish an Office of Native American Affairs within the Small Business Administration. This office would focus on building relationships with Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations. The office's goals include targeting programs for entrepreneurial development, contracting, and capital access. A dedicated Assistant Administrator would be appointed to lead the office and formulate specific policies. This official is tasked with providing assistance, including financial aid, to specific groups and organizations. The authority for this office is set to terminate seven years after its enactment.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +7
Would business owners be better off under this?
The act provides specific resources, grants, and assistance to help Native American entrepreneurs grow their businesses.
- Scored +7
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill creates targeted institutional support for Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations through a dedicated SBA office.
- Scored +7
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill establishes a dedicated office to provide specialized assistance, training, and capital access for Native American small businesses.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Small Businesses: The office is tasked with establishing or expanding small business concerns owned and controlled by members of Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian Organizations (Section 2(b)(1)(A)).
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Economic Development: The creation of the office aims to promote economic development within Indian country (Section 2(b)(1)(B)).
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Targeted Assistance: The Assistant Administrator is responsible for providing assistance to Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian Organizations, and their small business concerns (Section 2(c)(3)).
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Resource Distribution: The office can provide financial assistance through grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, or other means to help deploy training, counseling, and educational outreach (Section 2(c)(6)).
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Improved Access to Programs: The office is intended to help these groups access the entrepreneurial, capital, and contracting programs of the Small Business Administration (Section 2(c)(6)(B)).
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Tribal Voice in Policy: The Assistant Administrator assists in conducting Tribal consultation to gather input on potential modifications to the Administration's programs and procedures (Section 2(c)(7)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Temporary Nature of Support: The authority for this office is scheduled to terminate 7 years after the date of enactment (Section 2(e)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The act provides specific resources, grants, and assistance to help Native American entrepreneurs grow their businesses. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill creates targeted institutional support for Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations through a dedicated SBA office. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The emphasis on economic development in Indian country likely benefits rural Tribal communities. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The focus on economic development and training can increase earning potential for members of these communities.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill establishes a dedicated office to provide specialized assistance, training, and capital access for Native American small businesses. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill promotes economic development and small business expansion in Indian country, which is likely to create jobs. Is this likely to grow the economy? — By targeting entrepreneurial development and capital access, the bill aims to boost economic activity in specific communities.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill addresses historical economic disparities by providing targeted resources to Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Increasing economic development and small business ownership can serve as a mechanism for poverty reduction in Tribal communities.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Assistant Administrator to submit annual reports to Congress regarding the office's effectiveness.
- 6/24/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
- 6/23/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4138-4139)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7396.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4138-4140)
- Mr. Williams (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 2/17/2026
- Reported by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-498.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 424.
- 2/11/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 0.
- 2/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/5/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Elijah CraneRepublican · Arizona
Jake EllzeyRepublican · Texas
Kelly MorrisonDemocrat · Minnesota
Hillary ScholtenDemocrat · Michigan