[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5452 Introduced in House (IH)]
111th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5452
To establish a Native American Economic Advisory Council, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 27, 2010
Mr. Young of Alaska introduced the following bill; which was referred
to the Committee on Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a Native American Economic Advisory Council, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Native American Economic Advisory
Council Act of 2010''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds--
(1) the United States has a special political and legal
relationship and responsibility to promote the welfare of the
Native American people of the United States;
(2) evaluations of indicators and criteria of social well-
being, education, health, unemployment, housing, income, rates
of poverty, justice systems, and nutrition by agencies of
Government and others have consistently found that Native
American communities rank below other groups of United States
citizens and many are at or near the bottom in those
evaluations;
(3) Native Americans, like other people in the United
States, have been hit hard by the deepest recession of the
United States economy in over 50 years, causing a significant
decline in employment and economic activity across the United
States;
(4) Native American communities have been described as
``emerging economies'' and consequently have been stalled in
the efforts of the communities to build sustainable growing
economies for the people of the communities and are being
adversely affected faster than the rest of the United States;
(5) economic stimulus programs to help Native American
communities generate jobs and stronger economic performance
will require United States financial and tax incentives to
increase both local and expanded investment that is tailored to
the unique needs and circumstances of Native American
communities;
(6) the impacts of the ongoing recession and the near
collapse of the financial and banking systems require a review
of assumptions about the future, the need for new growth
strategies, and a focus on laying the groundwork for economic
success in the 21st century;
(7) there is a continuing need for direct economic
stimulus, including needs for improving rural infrastructure
and alternative energy in rural and Native American communities
of the United States and providing Native Americans leaders
with the tools to create jobs and improve economic conditions;
(8) in light of the role of Native American communities as
emerging markets within the United States, there are
opportunities and needs that should be addressed, including
consideration of United States support for the pooling of
resources to create an Indigenous Sovereign Wealth Fund that is
similar to those Funds created around the world to diversify
revenue streams, attract more resources, invest more wisely,
and create jobs;
(9) Native Americans should be participants when major
economic decisions are made that affect the property, lives,
and future of Native Americans; and
(10) Native Americans should fully participate in
rebuilding Native American communities and have necessary tools
and resources.
SEC. 3. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this Act is to authorize and establish a Native
American Economic Advisory Council to consult, coordinate with, and
make recommendations to the Executive Office of the President, Cabinet
officers, and Federal agencies--
(1) to improve the focus, effectiveness, and delivery of
Federal economic aid and development programs to Native
Americans and, as a result, improve substandard economic
conditions in Native American communities;
(2) to build and expand on the capacity of leaders in
Native American organizations and communities to take positive
and innovative steps--
(A) to create jobs;
(B) to establish stable and profitable business
enterprises;
(C) to enhance economic conditions; and
(D) to use Native American-owned resources for the
benefit of members; and
(3) to achieve the long-term goal of improving the quality
of Native American life and living conditions and access to
basic public services to the levels enjoyed by the average
citizen and community of the United States by the year 2025.
SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIVE AMERICAN ECONOMIC ADVISORY COUNCIL.
(a) In General.--There is established a Native American Economic
Advisory Council (referred to in this Act as the ``Council'') to advise
and assist the Executive Office of the President and Federal agencies
to ensure that Native Americans (including Native American members,
communities and organizations) have--
(1) the means and capacity to generate and benefit from
economic stimulus and growth; and
(2) fair access to, and reasonable opportunities to
participate in, Federal economic development and job growth
programs.
(b) Members.--
(1) In general.--The Council shall consist of 5 members
appointed by the President.
(2) Initial appointments.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of enactment of this Act, the President shall appoint
the initial members of the Council.
(3) Composition.--Of the members of the Council--
(A) 1 member shall be an Alaska Native;
(B) 1 member shall be a Hawaiian Native; and
(C) 3 members shall represent American Native
groups and organizations from other States.
(4) Chairperson.--The President shall designate 1 of the
members of the Council to serve as Chairperson.
(c) Experience.--Each member of the Council shall be a Native
American who, as a result of work experience, training, and attainment,
is well qualified--
(1) to identify, analyze, and understand the attributes and
background of successful business enterprises and economic
programs in Native American communities and cultures;
(2) to appraise the economic development programs and
activities of Federal agencies in the context of the goals and
purposes of this Act; and
(3) to recommend programs, policies, and needed program
modifications to improve access to and effectiveness in the
delivery of economic development programs in Native American
communities.
(d) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Council--
(1) shall not affect the authority of the Commission; and
(2) shall be filled in the same manner as the initial
appointments to the Council.
(e) Expenses.--Each Member of the Council shall be allowed travel
expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at the rate
authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57
of title 5, United States Code, while away from the homes or regular
places of business of the employees in the performance of services for
the Council.
(f) Staff.--
(1) In general.--The Council may, without regard to the
civil service laws (including regulations), appoint and
terminate an executive director and such other staff as are
necessary to enable the Council to perform the duties required
under this Act.
(2) Compensation.--
(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the
Council may fix the compensation of the executive
director and other personnel without regard to the
provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter
53 of title 5, United States Code, relating to
classification of positions and General Schedule pay
rates.
(B) Maximum amount.--The rate of pay for the
executive director and other personnel of the Council
shall not exceed the rate payable for level V of the
Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5,
United States Code.
(g) Detail of Employees.--
(1) In general.--An employee of the Federal Government may
be detailed to the Council without reimbursement.
(2) Civil service status.--The detail of an employee shall
be without interruption or loss of civil service status or
privilege.
(h) Temporary Services.--The Council may procure temporary and
intermittent services in accordance with section 3109(b) of title 5,
United States Code, at rates for individuals that do not exceed the
daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level V
of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of that title.
(i) Administrative Services.--The Secretary of Commerce shall
provide necessary office space and administrative services for the
Council (including staff of the Council).
SEC. 5. DUTIES.
(a) In General.--The Council shall advise and make recommendations
to Federal agencies on--
(1) proposing sustainable economic growth and poverty
reduction policies in a manner that promotes self-
determination, self-sufficiency, and independence in urban and
remote Native American communities while preserving the
traditional cultural values of those communities;
(2) ensuring that Native Americans (including Native
American communities and organizations) have equal access to
Federal economic aid, training, and assistance programs;
(3) developing economic growth strategies, finance, and tax
policies that will enable Native American organizations to
stimulate the local economies of Native Americans and create
meaningful new jobs in Native American communities;
(4) increasing the effectiveness of Federal programs to
address the economic, employment, medical, and social needs of
Native American communities;
(5) administering Federal economic development assistance
programs with an understanding of the unique needs of Native
American communities with the objectives of--
(A) making Native American leaders knowledgeable
about best business practices and successful economic
and job growth strategies;
(B) promoting investment and economic growth and
reducing unemployment and poverty in Native American
communities;
(C) enhancing governance, entrepreneurship, and
self-determination in Native American communities; and
(D) fostering demonstrations of transformational
changes in economic conditions in remote Native
American communities through the use of innovative
technology, targeted investments, and the use of Native
American-owned natural and scenic resources;
(6) improving the effectiveness of economic development
assistance programs through the integration and coordination of
assistance to Native American communities;
(7) recommending educational and business training programs
for Native Americans that increase the capacity of Native
Americans for economic well-being and to further the purposes
of this Act; and
(8) initiating proposals, as needed, for fellowship and
mentoring programs to meet the economic development needs of
Native American communities.
(b) Additional Duties.--The Council shall--
(1) prepare a compilation of successful business
enterprises and joint ventures conducted by Native American
organizations, including tribal enterprises and the commercial
ventures of Native Corporations (as defined in section 102 of
the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (16 U.S.C.
3102)) in the State of Alaska; and
(2) periodically sponsor and arrange conferences and
training workshops on Native American business activities,
including providing mentors, resource people, and speakers to
address financing, management, marketing, resource development,
and best business practices in Native American business
enterprises.
SEC. 6. ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS OF LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS ON NATIVE
AMERICAN ECONOMIC PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITY.
In preparing and communicating the comments and recommendations of
the President on proposed legislation to committees and leadership of
Congress, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the
head of a Federal agency shall include an assessment of the impacts of
the proposed legislation on the economic and employment prospects and
opportunities provided in the proposed legislation to improve the
quality of living conditions of Native American communities,
organizations, and members to the levels enjoyed by most people of the
United States.
SEC. 7. REPORTS.
The Council shall--
(1) prepare periodic reports on the activities of the
Council; and
(2) make the reports available to--
(A) Native American communities, organizations, and
members;
(B) the General Services Administration;
(C) the Office of Management and Budget;
(D) the Domestic Policy Council;
(E) the National Economic Council;
(F) the Council of Economic Advisers;
(G) the Secretary of the Treasury;
(H) the Secretary of Commerce;
(I) the Secretary of Labor;
(J) the Secretary of the Interior;
(K) the Secretary of Energy; and
(L) members of the public.
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