# Native CHamoru Equity Act: Plain Language Summary

This bill creates two main programs to help Native CHamoru people and organizations in Guam. First, it establishes a CHamoru Registry Program—basically a genealogy database run by Guam's governor that tracks who qualifies as Native CHamoru. To get on this registry, someone needs to prove that at least one of their direct ancestors lived on Guam before August 1, 1950. The bill specifically says you don't need to live in Guam currently or have a certain amount of CHamoru blood to qualify—just the ancestral connection matters. An independent auditor will check this database every three years to make sure it's accurate and being run properly.

The second part of the bill gives Native CHamoru organizations special advantages when competing for government contracts and small business programs. It defines a "Native CHamoru Organization" as a nonprofit registered in Guam that's controlled by Native CHamorus and primarily benefits Native CHamorus. These organizations can now qualify for federal small business programs that were previously only available to groups like Native Hawaiian organizations. This includes access to special contracting programs where the government sets aside certain work specifically for disadvantaged small businesses, and programs for businesses in economically struggling areas.

In practical terms, this bill helps Native CHamorus prove their heritage through an official system and gives CHamoru-led nonprofits better access to government contracts and federal small business support. The goal is to create economic opportunities for Native CHamorus and organizations that serve their community, similar to programs that already exist for Native Hawaiians and other indigenous groups.

Native CHamoru Equity Act

San Nicolas, Michael F. Q.

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.