§4303 Office of Native American Business Development

Summary

Creates an Office of Native American Business Development inside the Office of the Secretary. The Secretary must appoint a Director for the Office, paid up to Level V of the Executive Schedule (section 5316 of title 5). The Office must coordinate federal programs that give financial and technical help to eligible entities to grow businesses, expand trade, and boost economic development on Indian lands. It must work with other agencies, like the Department of the Interior, the Small Business Administration, and the Department of Labor. The Office handles or supports things such as legal, accounting, and financial help; market studies; promotional materials; funding business seminars; marketing help; and participation in trade fairs, plus other market-development activities the Secretary and Director agree are needed. The Office must give financial, technical, and administrative support to help eligible entities find business opportunities and follow laws and rules. It must focus first on projects that bring the biggest benefits to Indians and help build long-term, stable tribal economies. The Director is the Secretary’s adviser on trust and government relations with Indian Tribes and the main contact for tribes about Commerce programs and economic development on Indian lands. The Department must have processes for timely coordination and consultation with tribes. Up to $2,000,000 may be appropriated each fiscal year to run the Office. The Office cannot support activities that involve operating gaming on Indian lands under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.