Bill · H.R. 3496· House(119-HR-3496)
Northern Mariana Islands Small Business Access Act
- Introduced
- 5/19/2025
- Last activity
- 1/26/2026 — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
- Sponsored by
- Kimberlyn King-Hinds
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 3
- Introduced
- Passed House
- In Senate committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Northern Mariana Islands Small Business Access Act," aims to amend the Small Business Act. It specifically seeks to include the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in the microloan program. The legislation modifies the Small Business Act by adding the Commonwealth after Guam in specific sections. It also includes a change to a numerical value within the existing law. Additionally, it makes a technical amendment regarding rural designations.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+7
The bill directly extends microloan eligibility to small businesses in the Northern Mariana Islands.
Would business owners be better off under this?+6
The bill provides much-needed capital access for entrepreneurs in the Northern Mariana Islands.
Is this likely to create jobs?+3
Expanded access to microloans can stimulate local entrepreneurship and job growth in the Northern Mariana Islands.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Expanded Microloan Eligibility: By adding the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to the microloan program in Section 2(a)(1), small business owners in that region may gain access to specific funding opportunities currently available in places like Guam.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly stated in the text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+7Improves Economic Growth+3Increases Job Creation+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+6
- 1/26/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
- 1/20/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H929)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H929)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3496.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H929-930)
- Mr. Williams (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 12/12/2025
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-402.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 350.
- 11/25/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/18/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 27 - 0.
- 11/17/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/7/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/19/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
- Introduced in House
Gilbert CisnerosDemocrat · California
Herbert ConawayDemocrat · New Jersey
Maggie GoodlanderDemocrat · New Hampshire