To amend the Small Business Act to make disaster loans available for damages caused by prolonged power outages, and for other purposes.

Overview: HR 2897, "To amend the Small Business Act to make disaster loans available for damages caused by prolonged power outages, and for other purposes", was introduced in the House on April 10, 2025.

Purpose and Intent: The bill aims to expand the eligibility for Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans to include damages caused by prolonged power outages. The rationale is to provide additional financial assistance to small businesses that suffer economic losses due to extended electricity disruptions, which can have significant impacts on operations and revenue.

Key Provisions:
- Amends the Small Business Act to make SBA disaster loans available for damages caused by power outages lasting 3 or more consecutive days
- Allows small businesses to apply for loans to cover expenses such as lost revenue, inventory replacement, and temporary relocation costs
- Directs the SBA to establish guidelines and procedures for processing disaster loan applications related to power outages

Affected Parties and Impacts: The bill would benefit small businesses that experience significant economic harm due to prolonged power outages, which can occur due to natural disasters, infrastructure failures, or other events. This could help these businesses recover and maintain operations during and after extended electricity disruptions.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations: The bill has been introduced in the House and is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. It will need to pass both the House and Senate, and be signed by the President, before becoming law.