PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.

Indian Community Economic Enhancement Act of 2020

Became Public Law No: 116-261.

Official summary

Version 49 · Public Law · Dec 30, 2020

Indian Community Economic Enhancement Act of 2020

This bill makes several revisions related to economic development for Native American communities.

(Sec. 3) Specifically, the bill establishes duties for the Office of Native American Business Development, including (1) advising the Department of Commerce regarding the relationship between the United States and Indian tribes; and (2) serving as the point of contact for tribes, tribal organizations, and members of tribes regarding economic development and doing business in Indian lands.

Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.

Read full official summaryShow less

The bill also requires coordination between Commerce, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of the Treasury to support economic development in Native American communities.

Under the bill, assistance from the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund benefiting Native American institutions does not require matching funds.

The Government Accountability Office must conduct a study that assesses (1) current programs and services that assist Native American communities with business and economic development; (2) assistance provided to Native Americans pursuant to loan, bond, and tax incentive programs; and (3) alternative incentives for tribal governments to invest in a Native American community development investment fund or bank.

(Sec. 4) The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to use Native American labor and purchase Native American industry products, unless Interior or HHS determines it would be impracticable and unreasonable to do so. Among other requirements, HHS and Interior must conduct outreach to Indian industrial entities in the implementation of enterprise development.

(Sec. 5) Additionally, the bill authorizes the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) to provide financial assistance to Native American community development financial institutions. ANA must give priority for financial assistance to applicants whose programs seek to develop (1) tribal codes and court systems relating to economic development, (2) tribal business structures, (3) community development financial institutions, or (4) tribal master plans for community and economic development and infrastructure.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND] · R–ND

Committees

  • Education and Workforce Committee
  • Natural Resources Committee
  • Indian Affairs Committee
1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

  1. Became Public Law No: 116-261.

  2. Became Public Law No: 116-261.

  3. Signed by President.

  4. Signed by President.

  5. Presented to President.

  6. Presented to President.

  7. Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  8. Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 212 by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S7586)

  9. Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 212 by Voice Vote.

  10. Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.

  11. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  12. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6099-6101)

  13. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H6099-6101)

  14. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 212.

  15. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6099-6102)

  16. Mr. Case moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  17. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 498.

  18. Committee on Education and Labor discharged.

  19. Committee on Education and Labor discharged.

  20. Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 116-605, Part I.

  21. Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 116-605, Part I.

  22. Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.

  23. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  24. Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States Discharged.

  25. Referred to the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States.

  26. Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  27. Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  28. Received in the House.

  29. Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  30. Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (text: CR S4650-4652)

  31. Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.(text: CR S4650-4652)

  32. Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S4649-4652)

  33. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 63.

  34. Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Hoeven without amendment. With written report No. 116-28.

  35. Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Hoeven without amendment. With written report No. 116-28.

  36. Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

  37. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

  38. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Dec 9, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.212 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources
Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.212 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources
Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.212 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources
Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.212 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources