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Native CHamoru Equity Act
12/31/2022, 4:59 AM
Summary of Bill HR 4102
The bill seeks to amend the Organic Act of Guam to provide the Native CHamoru people with the same rights and privileges as other Native American tribes in the United States. This includes access to federal programs and services that are currently unavailable to them.
Additionally, the bill aims to establish a process for the recognition of the Native CHamoru people as a federally recognized tribe. This recognition would allow them to receive funding and support for economic development, education, healthcare, and other essential services. Overall, the Native CHamoru Equity Act is a step towards addressing the historical injustices faced by the Native CHamoru people and ensuring that they have equal access to the benefits and resources available to other Native American tribes in the United States.
Congressional Summary of HR 4102
Native CHamoru Equity Act
This bill establishes a CHamoru Registry program. It also allows eligible Native CHamoru organizations to qualify for federal contracting opportunities through their participation in certain small business programs that are administered by the Small Business Administration.
First, the bill establishes a CHamoru Registry program under the Office of the Governor of Guam. The program must keep a database to serve as a genealogy bank to verify Native CHamoru ancestry requirements.
Next, it treats businesses owned by economically disadvantaged Native CHamoru organizations as socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses for purposes of the Minority Small Business and Capital Ownership Development program, which is commonly known as the 8(a) program. Further, it allows businesses that are owned by Native CHamoru organizations to participate in the Historically Underutilized Business Zone Empowerment Contracting (HUBZone) program.
The 8(a) program and the HUBZone program each limit competition for certain government contracts to participating small businesses.