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Bill

HR 9818

To amend the Small Business Act to improve the women's business center program, and for other purposes.

119th Congress Introduced by Sharice Davids and 1 co-sponsor

The bill aims to modernize and strengthen the Women’s Business Center program to increase access to training, mentoring, and resources for women entrepreneurs.

Introduced in House
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 9818

Overview

HR 9818, introduced in the 119th Congress, seeks to amend the Small Business Act to improve the Women’s Business Center (WBC) program and address related purposes. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Small Business (as of July 21, 2026) and has two co-sponsors: Rep. Sharice Davids and Rep. Hillary Scholten.

Purpose and Intent

  • Modernize and strengthen the Women’s Business Center program administered under the Small Business Act.
  • Enhance support systems and resources available to women entrepreneurs, with the aim of increasing business ownership, access to capital, mentorship, training, and networking opportunities.
  • Align WBC activities with evolving entrepreneurial needs and broader federal small business development objectives.

Key Provisions and Changes

Note: The summary reflects typical actions such amendments to the Small Business Act might include, given the bill title and sponsor intent. For exact statutory language, please review the bill text. Main areas likely addressed include:

  • Program Enhancements

    • Upgrading eligibility criteria or outreach to ensure more women-owned businesses can access WBC services.
    • Expanding core services such as business planning assistance, financial literacy training, marketing guidance, and digital/e-commerce support.

  • Funding and Administration

    • Adjustments to funding levels, grant structures, or funding flexibility for WBCs to deliver high-impact programs.
    • Possible modifications to grant cycles, reporting requirements, and performance metrics to improve accountability and outcomes.

  • Collaboration and Coordination

    • Encouragement of increased collaboration between WBCs and other SBA programs, Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), and minority-focused entrepreneurship initiatives.
    • Promotion of partnerships with private sector and nonprofit entities to broaden reach and resources.

  • Emphasis on Outcomes

    • Introduction or refinement of performance measures to track improvements in business creation, job retention, revenue growth, and access to capital among women entrepreneurs.
    • Possible requirements for grantees to demonstrate measurable impact in targeted communities.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Primary Beneficiaries: Women entrepreneurs and women-owned small businesses that engage with the WBC network for training, counseling, and technical assistance.
  • WBCs and Grantees: Organizations currently operating or applying to operate Women’s Business Centers, potentially facing updated performance benchmarks, reporting requirements, or funding criteria.
  • Federal Program Administrators: Small Business Administration and state/regional partners administering WBC grants and program integration with other SBA services.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Status: Introduced to the House and referred to the House Committee on Small Business (July 21, 2026).
  • Next Steps: Committee consideration, potential amendments, and, if approved, movement to the House floor for debate and voting. If advanced, the bill would proceed to the Senate for consideration (as with most federal legislation).
  • Key dates in the bill’s lifecycle would include committee reporting deadlines, potential markup sessions, and floor schedules, depending on the committee’s agenda.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Access and Equity: By strengthening WBCs, more women entrepreneurs could gain access to crucial business development services, potentially improving ownership rates and business resilience.
  • Economic Growth: Enhanced support for women-led startups and existing women-owned firms may contribute to local job creation and increased small-business revenue.
  • Accountability: Updated performance metrics and funding structures could improve transparency and ensure funds are directed toward high-impact activities.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to include the exact provisions by analyzing the bill text once available or compare it to prior WBC improvement efforts for context.

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

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