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Bill

Bill

HR 2018

BODEGA Act of 2025

119th Congress Introduced by Ritchie Torres

Establishes a federal grant program to help bodega owners upgrade security and safety, boosting resilience and protection for small neighborhood stores.

Introduced in House
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 2018

Summary of HR 2018 — BODEGA Act of 2025

Overview

HR 2018 is the introduced House bill titled the Bodega Owner Defense Enhancement Grant Assistance Act of 2025 (BODEGA Act of 2025). The bill appears to establish a grant-based program intended to support bodega owners in enhancing their defense, safety, or related capabilities. The text provided for review includes only the act’s title and formal actions; specific policy provisions are not included.

Purpose and Intent

  • The primary stated goal, as reflected by the title, is to enhance defense and provide grant assistance to bodega owners. While the exact mechanisms are not yet detailed in the available information, the act’s name suggests financing for security, resilience, or related defense-oriented measures for small neighborhood bodegas.
  • The objective, from a policy-view perspective, would be to help small, local convenience stores mitigate threats or incidents that affect their operations and safety.

Key Provisions (Limited Information)

  • The material provided does not include the bill’s text or substantive provisions. As a result, specific program design elements (e.g., eligibility criteria, grant amounts, funding duration, reporting requirements, matching funds, oversight, or permissible uses) are not available.
  • The only explicitly stated content is the act’s formal designation and alternative shorthand name:
    • Also cited as the Bodega Owner Defense Enhancement Grant Assistance Act of 2025 or the BODEGA Act of 2025.

Beneficiaries and Impact (Inferred)

  • Primary beneficiaries: Bodega owners and, more broadly, small neighborhood convenience-store operators who would seek federal grant support.
  • Potential impacts (to be confirmed with full text):
    • Access to federal grant funding for security improvements, training, legal defense resources, or other defense-related initiatives.
    • Possible needs for compliance, reporting, and program oversight if enacted.
    • Implications for local employment and community safety by strengthening small business resilience.

Legislative History and Timeline

  • Introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on March 10, 2025.
  • Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary on March 10, 2025 (same day as introduction).
  • Primary sponsor: Representative Ritchie Torres.

Next Steps / What to Watch

  • Obtain the full bill text to identify:
    • Specific grant program design (eligibility, funding levels, duration).
    • Eligible uses of funds (security upgrades, training, staffing, legal services, etc.).
    • Application and awarding process, review criteria, and oversight.
    • Any appropriation amounts and fiscal year details.
    • Reporting, accountability, and sunset provisions.
  • Track committee action, potential amendments, and movement toward floor consideration.

If you’d like, I can summarize the bill in more detail once the full text is available or once subsequent legislative actions (e.g., amendments, committee reports) are released.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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