Sponsors (5)
The bill creates a funded, representative national forum to give small businesses a sustained voice in federal policy, but its restricted delegate rules and reliance on private funding (plus removed deadlines) risk reduced inclusivity, delays, and potential conflict-of-interest concerns.
Small-business owners gain a formal, ongoing national forum (a National Conference) to identify and prioritize problems and propose solutions that can influence federal policy.
Taxpayers and federal budgets face less risk because the Conference has an independent funding mechanism (authorized to collect gifts/donations and other designated receipts) so activities are financed without drawing on unrelated federal appropriations.
Delegates appointed by state governments and Members of Congress give local businesses a direct, organized channel for representation at the Conference.
Small-business owners and the public may face a less inclusive process because participation is limited to owners, officers, or employees selected through specified channels, excluding other stakeholders (e.g., academics, advocates, customers).
Taxpayers and public trust could be undermined because relying on gifts, donations, and bequests to fund the Conference may create perceived or actual conflicts of interest if contributions are not strictly vetted.
Small-business stakeholders could see the Conference delayed or canceled because the President’s authority to call it depends on sufficient amounts being collected under the new funding provision.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Updates timing, broadens conference purposes, restricts delegate eligibility to small business owners/officers/employees, sets delegate categories/counts, and conditions the President's authority on funds collected under a new section.
Amends the existing White House Conference on Small Business law to update when the conference can be held, who may serve as delegates, and how the conference is funded. It requires that the President’s authority to call the conference be subject to amounts collected under a new funding provision, replaces old scheduling dates with a 2025–2026 window, broadens the statute’s stated purposes, and imposes new rules limiting National Conference delegates to individuals selected at state and regional meetings and to specified appointing authorities.
Official title: To reauthorize the White House Conference on Small Business Authorization Act, and for other purposes.
Introduced December 18, 2025 by Brad Finstad · Last progress December 18, 2025