Sponsors (2)
The bill improves coordination, visibility, and reporting for small‑business assistance programs—potentially increasing access and accountability—but does not create guaranteed new funding and brings administrative and cost risks that could divert resources from direct services.
Small-business owners gain more coordinated consulting and outreach services, increasing access to business assistance, technical help, and referrals.
Small-business owners may see more new businesses and jobs if the increased coordination boosts start-ups and job creation (with outcomes to be tracked in the required report).
Taxpayers and Congress get improved transparency and accountability because a joint report with measurable metrics and recommendations must be delivered to Congress within two years.
SBDCs and MBDA Business Centers face new administrative and reporting burdens that could divert staff time away from direct client services for small businesses.
The coordination, data collection, and reporting requirements may increase federal program costs without guaranteeing additional funding or improved outcomes.
The short title and named program create public expectations but do not themselves establish new programs or guaranteed resources, so promised benefits may not materialize without further appropriation or implementation action.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Directs SBA and Commerce/MBDA to require SBDCs and MBDA Business Centers to collaborate within 180 days and to submit a joint report to Congress within two years documenting results and metrics.
Official title: To direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration and the National Director of the Minority Business Development Agency to direct small business development centers and MBDA Business Centers to collaborate to better serve small business concerns, and for other purposes.
Introduced May 7, 2026 by Hillary Scholten · Last progress May 7, 2026
Requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator and the Commerce Department Secretary (through the MBDA Director) to direct Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and MBDA Business Centers to collaborate to better serve small businesses. The agencies must launch that collaboration within 180 days of enactment and deliver a joint report to Congress within two years describing activities, results, metrics (clients served, new businesses, jobs created/supported, dollars of financial assistance), challenges, and recommendations.