Sponsors (3)
Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
Last progress December 10, 2025 (1 month ago)
Introduced on December 10, 2025 by David J. Taylor
Requires the Government Accountability Office (Comptroller General) to study how designated small business loans were disbursed in specified parts of the Appalachian region (and corresponding non‑Appalachian portions) for each year 2021–2024. The GAO must measure timing, counts, and dollar amounts, brief Congress on progress within one year of enactment, and deliver a full report with findings and recommendations within two years.
The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on the disbursement process for small business loans.
Scope of study: For each year beginning January 1, 2021 and ending December 31, 2024, for each covered region, the Comptroller General shall determine the measures listed in paragraph (2).
Measure (A): For each covered region portion (the part that is in the Appalachian region and the part that is not), determine the average length of time (i) between submission of an application for a small business loan by a small business concern located in that portion and when funds are disbursed for that application, and (ii) to complete each step of the application and disbursement process for such small business loans.
Measure (B): For each portion, calculate (number of small business loans disbursed to small business concerns in that portion ÷ total number of small business concerns in that portion) × 1000.
Measure (C): For each portion, calculate (number of small business loans approved for small business concerns in that portion ÷ total number of small business concerns in that portion) × 1000.
Updated 6 days ago
Last progress December 10, 2025 (1 month ago)
Primary affected parties are small businesses in the named Appalachian and adjacent non‑Appalachian areas, plus the lenders that served them and local communities that rely on access to capital. The study will collect and analyze historical loan disbursement data (counts, dollars, and timing) for 2021–2024, so borrowers will not see immediate program changes but could be indirectly affected later if Congress or agencies use results to change loan programs, outreach, or targeting. Lenders and federal program administrators may need to provide data and respond to GAO information requests. Policymakers and regional economic development organizations (for example, Appalachian programs, state/local economic offices) will gain clearer evidence about where loan dollars went and when, helping to target future oversight, technical assistance, or legislation. The requirement is non‑prescriptive: it does not change loan eligibility, impose new requirements on states, or appropriate funds, but it does create data demands on agencies and lenders for the GAO study.