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Notable Legislation

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The National Women’s Business Council (NWBC) monitors legislation with the potential to make a positive impact on women’s entrepreneurship. Councilmembers also educate Members of Congress and their staff about their findings and the thinking that has informed their policy recommendations. Results of these efforts are consistently seen in Congressional action to advance bills that carry forward NWBC recommendations concerning such critical issues as government contracting opportunity and childcare accessibility. 

The measures highlighted here demonstrate alignment between NWBC’s work and Congressional priorities.

10

SBA Rural Performance Report Act (H.R. 5265, 118th Congress)

This measure would obligate SBA to report on the activities of the Office of Rural Affairs and promote availability of financial assistance for small businesses in rural areas. It carries out NWBC’s 2022 recommendation to the White House to continue collaborative work with USDA on funding for rural businesses. In February 2024, the House enacted this bill.

11

Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, FY 25 (H.R. 8773, 118th Congress)

This appropriations bill includes an expression of concern regarding the backlog of applications for WOSB certification, and accompanying report language urges SBA to ensure that requests are processing expeditiously. The language is consistent with NWBC’s 2021 recommendation to SBA to improve the turnaround time for obtaining a WOSB/EDWOSB certification; and its 2022 recommendation to SBA to streamline and reduce wait times on WOSB certification. The House Committee reported this bill for full consideration in June 2024.

12

Small Business Succession Planning Act (H.R. 5939, 118th Congress)

This bill would require the SBA Administrator to develop a program to help small businesses create succession plans and achieve other sustainability goals; in 2021, NWBC recommended its enactment. The bill was reintroduced in the House in October 2023.

13

21st Century Entrepreneurship Act (H.R. 6002, 118th Congress)

This legislation would require the SBA Administrator to promote entrepreneurship training in after-school programs; NWBC recommended its enactment in 2023. Members reintroduced the bill in the House in October 2023.

14

Minority Entrepreneurship Grant Program Act (H.R. 6457, 118th Congress)

This bill would require SBA to make grants to support and enhance entrepreneurship and business ownership programs at minority-serving institutions of higher education, and establish a Minority Entrepreneurship Advisory Board. NWBC called for its enactment in 2021. The bill was reintroduced in the House in November 2023.

15

SCORE for Small Business Act (S. 1744, 118th Congress)

This measure would strengthen SCORE business mentoring programs and require the association and SBA to jointly develop virtual, remote programming. It carries forward NWBC’s 2022 recommendation that SCORE bolster its online services. The Senate Committee held a hearing on the bill in November 2023.