Arizona's Tribal Communities Could See More Federal Business Support Under New Bill

A bill aimed at improving federal support for Native American small business owners cleared the U.S. House unanimously, with Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ) playing a central role in advancing it.

The Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act would formally establish the Office of Native American Affairs within the Small Business Administration (SBA) by enshrining it in the Small Business Act itself.

The move is designed to strengthen congressional oversight of the office, clarify its responsibilities, and create a more structured relationship between the SBA and tribal communities, particularly around entrepreneurial development, federal contracting, and access to capital.

For Crane, who represents a district that includes more than half of Arizona's tribal nations, the bill reflects a priority he has carried across multiple congressional sessions.

He originally partnered with Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS) on an earlier version of the legislation, which passed the House with broad bipartisan support last Congress before stalling in the Senate.

This year, the two reintroduced the bill alongside Representatives Jake Ellzey (R-TX) and Kelly Morrison (D-MN).

Bill's Priorities

The challenge the bill addresses is one that tribal entrepreneurs know well. Running a business on a reservation comes with distinct complications, tax structures, property rights, regulatory requirements, and lending barriers that differ significantly from those faced by businesses elsewhere.

SBA programs exist to help small business owners navigate such hurdles, but outreach to tribal communities has historically been inconsistent.

Crane framed the legislation as a practical step toward addressing that gap, rather than a sweeping policy change.

"I'm proud to be part of the bipartisan coalition working to improve and expand SBA outreach to tribal communities," Crane said. "As the representative of over half of Arizona's tribes, I'm focused on solutions to help expand economic growth throughout rural Arizona."

With the House vote complete, attention now shifts to the Senate, where a similar version of the bill previously failed to advance. Crane called on his Senate colleagues to take up the measure quickly.