Summary

Creates a new annual prize program at the Small Business Administration to recognize state and local governments that make it easier to start small businesses. The SBA will award three annual prizes (one each for large, mid-size, and small jurisdictions by population), run an application process, and judge entries on specific streamlining measures like reduced paperwork, consolidated resources, and cross-jurisdictional consistency. The program is voluntary and competitive; it sets eligibility categories by jurisdiction population, requires the SBA Administrator to set application timing and content, and directs the Administrator to consider specified examples of effective streamlining policies and tools when choosing winners.

• Creates an annual three-award recognition program run by the Small Business Administration.
• Awards are partitioned by jurisdiction population: large (≥400,000), mid-size (100,000–399,999), and small (<100,000).
• SBA Administrator will design the application process and choose winners based on streamlining and efficiency criteria.
• Program emphasizes reducing paperwork, consolidating resources (like online portals), and eliminating duplicative or inconsistent rules.
• Participation is voluntary; the law recognizes and rewards jurisdictions but does not require reforms.
• The statute delegates details—timing, application content, and selection procedures—to the SBA; funding and prize amounts are not specified.
• Targets state and local government policies and tools that lower barriers to forming small businesses and startups.
• Likely to encourage administrative reforms and information sharing among jurisdictions to improve business formation processes.