This bill directs the Small Business Administration to create educational resources for small business owners and employees regarding their rights and responsibilities during immigration enforcement actions. The SBA must develop online modules, a physical card, and planning guides that explain how to respond to searches or arrests, including the constitutional right to remain silent and consult a lawyer. These materials will be made available in English and the 15 most commonly spoken languages in the U.S., with content reviewed by legal experts and government agencies to ensure accuracy.
The RISE Act introduces tax incentives to encourage small businesses to offer pension plans to their employees. It increases the startup tax credit for microemployers, allowing them to claim a larger credit for establishing a retirement plan starting in 2027. Additionally, the bill permits service providers who help set up these plans to receive a tax credit for the fees they waive to make the plans affordable. To prevent fraud, the law requires employers to certify that they have not previously received similar credits for the same group of workers. These changes aim to lower the financial barriers for small employers and their service partners to create retirement savings options.
The Small Business Workforce Pipeline Act of 2026 directs the Small Business Administration to help small businesses create and improve training programs for their employees. This bill requires the agency to share information from the Department of Labor and other federal sources on setting up work-based learning, registered apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, and job training initiatives. By amending the Small Business Act, the legislation aims to strengthen the workforce development resources available to small business owners.
The Investing in the American Dream Act expands eligibility for Small Business Administration loans to include businesses owned by certain immigrants, such as refugees, asylees, and individuals with deferred action. To qualify, these businesses must be located in the United States and at least 51 percent owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or nationals of the United States. The law explicitly states that businesses meeting these ownership and location requirements cannot be denied loans solely because they are owned by eligible immigrants. Additionally, the bill clarifies that it does not grant the SBA authority to increase the 51 percent ownership threshold for any type of loan.
This bill creates a tax credit for small employers who set up new dependent care flexible spending plans for their employees. The credit covers startup costs like plan establishment and employee education expenses, but only for the first three years after the plan begins. To qualify, the employer must not have previously offered a similar plan to the same employees, and the plan must include at least one non-highly compensated employee. The maximum credit is $500 in the first year and the next two years, or up to $250 per eligible employee, capped at $5,000 total.
This bill increases funding limits and modifies terms for the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program. It raises the maximum microloan amount from $50,000 to $75,000 per borrower and allows loans to cover up to 50% of real estate improvement costs (like construction or demolition) for business projects. The bill also changes repayment terms to require 100% repayment (up from 75%) and extends the program's funding period from 2019-2023 to 2026-2030. These changes directly affect rural microentrepreneurs seeking small business loans for startup or expansion, particularly those needing physical space improvements.
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Rural Communities
Small Business
This bill increases funding limits for the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program, directly helping small rural business owners seeking loans. It raises the maximum loan amount from $50,000 to $75,000 and changes loan coverage to 100% for eligible project costs (with a 50% cap on real estate improvements like construction). The program's funding period is extended from 2019-2023 to 2026-2030. These changes aim to provide greater financial support for rural entrepreneurs starting or expanding small businesses.
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Rural Communities
Small Business
The Commonsense Legislating Act (HR 6039) makes several significant changes to federal programs. It extends the FAST Program through 2030, requires enhanced outreach to minority and Hispanic-serving institutions for small business grants, and expands the work opportunity tax credit to include military spouses. The bill establishes a Working Families Task Force to address challenges like affordability and childcare, and mandates annual mental health consultations for veterans with service-connected mental health disabilities. Additionally, it creates Native American tourism grant programs with $35 million in funding for 2026-2030 and establishes a Fentanyl Disruption Steering Group within the National Security Council.
The New Start Act of 2025 creates a federal grant program to fund entrepreneurship training and support for formerly incarcerated individuals and currently incarcerated individuals in federal prisons. Organizations receiving grants must provide business planning, financial literacy, and mentorship services, while connecting participants to small business loan resources like Community Advantage Lending Companies. Grants of $100,000 to $500,000 annually will support these programs for five years, with requirements for geographic diversity and partnerships with groups like small business development centers. The program mandates annual reports tracking participant demographics, program participation, and outcomes like recidivism rates and business success.
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Small Business
This bill directs the Small Business Administration to create or expand a program specifically helping military spouses start and grow small businesses. The program would provide remote assistance with business formation, skills training for challenges like frequent relocations due to military duty, and mentorship through partnerships with relevant organizations. It also requires the SBA to conduct a survey identifying barriers military spouses face in accessing business resources and submit a report to Congress within 180 days. The focus is on addressing unique obstacles tied to military life, such as deployments and duty station changes, through tailored support services.
