Small Business Artificial Intelligence Advancement Act This bill directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop or identify resources for small businesses to address concerns relating to the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Resources must be generally applicable, technology neutral, and based on relevant voluntary international standards, among other requirements. NIST must coordinate with the Small Business Administration with respect to the distribution of these resources. NIST must also review and update the resources at least biennially.
S 2352, the PROTECTED Act, modifies the Equal Credit Opportunity Act to change how financial institutions collect data for small business loans. It requires institutions to inform applicants they aren't obligated to provide certain financial details (like revenue), that their response won't affect credit decisions, and that the data is collected for federal reporting. The bill prohibits institutions from compiling data through visual observation or other indirect methods and bars using applicant response rates to assess compliance. It directly affects financial institutions originating at least 2,500 small business loans annually (with $1 billion+ in assets) and small businesses with under $1 million in annual revenue. The law includes a 2-year safe harbor period before enforcement begins.
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HR 5388, the American Artificial Intelligence Leadership and Uniformity Act, imposes a 5-year regulatory moratorium on state laws restricting AI models, systems, or automated decision systems in interstate commerce. This directly affects businesses operating across state lines, particularly small businesses burdened by conflicting state regulations, by preventing new state rules during this period. The bill requires the President to develop a National AI Action Plan within 30 days, setting measurable goals for federal AI innovation, aligning with national standards, and reducing small business compliance burdens. It includes specific exceptions allowing states to enforce laws that facilitate AI deployment or handle criminal penalties, while explicitly preserving federal and generally applicable criminal laws. The moratorium aims to create regulatory certainty during the development of national AI governance standards.
This bill amends the Small Business Act to require the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide guidance and support to small businesses on using artificial intelligence (AI). Specifically, it adds a new provision directing the SBA to help small businesses evaluate AI for operations - including best practices, planning for disruptions, protecting data and intellectual property, improving cybersecurity, and ensuring regulatory compliance. The guidance will include training and outreach on integrating AI into business workflows. The bill does not authorize new funding for these activities.
HR 915, the Small Business Technological Act of 2025, expands the use of Small Business Administration (SBA) Section 7(a) loans to cover business software, cloud computing services, and AI-powered tools that handle payroll, HR, sales, billing, accounting, and inventory management. It directly affects small businesses seeking loans for operational technology upgrades, allowing them to use SBA funds for these specific tech services without changing existing loan purposes. The bill amends the Small Business Act to explicitly permit these uses under Section 7(a), clarifying that existing loans for similar purposes before the law's enactment remain valid. It does not expand loan use for research, development, or working capital beyond current definitions.
S 3341, the Investing in All of America Act of 2025, modifies rules for Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs) to adjust their debt limits and expand eligible investments. It lowers the maximum leverage ratio for certain SBICs from $300 million to $200 million and sets a new $125 million cap on excluded investments for companies funding businesses in rural areas, critical technology sectors, or small manufacturers. The bill specifically affects SBICs licensed under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 and the businesses they finance in targeted geographic or industry areas. Key changes include revised financial thresholds and updated definitions for "rural" and "critical technology" to qualify for debt exclusions. These provisions directly alter how SBICs calculate allowable debt when supporting small businesses.
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The INNOVATE Act reforms the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs to better support small businesses developing innovative technologies. Key provisions include creating a new "Phase 1A" program to increase accessibility for new small business entrants (with proposals limited to 5 pages and awards capped at $40,000), requiring fixed-price contracts for SBIR/STTR awards, and strengthening security measures to protect intellectual property from foreign influence. The bill prohibits SBIR/STTR awards to businesses with certain agreements (like with NewsGuard or Disinformation Index), expands outreach to rural communities, and extends program authorization through 2028. It also streamlines administrative processes, improves data collection, and requires GAO reports on due diligence programs.
This bill directs the Commerce Department to develop and distribute free training resources to help small businesses adopt artificial intelligence and key emerging technologies like quantum-hybrid computing. The training will cover practical business areas including financial management, cybersecurity, marketing, and supply chain operations, with special focus on small businesses in rural, Tribal, or underserved communities and those in advanced manufacturing. The program requires annual updates to the training materials, distribution through existing Small Business Administration resource centers (like SCORE and small business development centers), and annual reports to Congress tracking participation and business outcomes. The initiative will expire three years after enactment.
S 305, the Small Business Technological Act of 2025, expands eligibility for Small Business Administration (SBA) Section 7(a) loans to cover business software, cloud computing services, and AI-powered tools that support core operations like payroll, HR, sales, billing, accounting, and inventory management. The bill directly affects small businesses seeking SBA loans by allowing these funds to finance technology tools they previously could not use for such purposes. It explicitly excludes research and development from eligible uses and clarifies that existing working capital definitions remain unchanged. This policy change modifies the SBA’s existing loan program without creating new funding or altering prior loan approvals for qualifying technology.
HR 5764, the "AI for Main Street Act," amends the Small Business Act to require the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide guidance and training to small business concerns on using artificial intelligence. It directly affects small businesses by adding new SBA responsibilities to help them evaluate AI for operations, including best practices, cybersecurity, data protection, regulatory compliance, and customer trust. Key provisions mandate the SBA to offer information, training, and outreach on incorporating AI into business processes, such as planning for unexpected circumstances. The bill does not authorize new funding for these activities. It defines "artificial intelligence" using the existing term from the National AI Initiative Act.
