Bill · H.R. 4549· House(119-HR-4549)
Office of Rural Affairs Enhancement Act
- Introduced
- 7/21/2025
- Last activity
- 12/2/2025 — Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 282.
- Sponsored by
- Maggie Goodlander
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 2
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Awaiting Senate
- On Senate calendar
What this bill would do
The Office of Rural Affairs Enhancement Act seeks to amend the Small Business Act to clarify the duties of the Office of Rural Affairs. It establishes specific education, professional experience, and development assistance requirements for the Assistant Administrator. The bill shifts the focus of the office to promote policies and programs for rural small business concerns. Additionally, it mandates that the Assistant Administrator host webinars and outreach events across various regions. Finally, the Act requires regular reporting on the Office's activities, budget, and outreach efforts to Congress and the public.
Yes· 3 of 6
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+5
The bill mandates increased outreach, webinars, and promotion of federal programs specifically for rural small businesses.
Would business owners be better off under this?+4
The bill provides more structured support, outreach, and promotion of resources for small business owners.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+4
The bill requires the Assistant Administrator to submit annual reports on operations, budget, and activities to Congress and the public.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Qualified Leadership: The Assistant Administrator must have specific education, professional experience, or knowledge regarding rural affairs and small business concerns, as well as experience providing development assistance to these concerns (Section 2, subsection b, paragraph 2).
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Increased Outreach and Information: The office is tasked with promoting policies and programs from the Administration and other Federal departments to assist rural small business concerns (Section 2, subsection b, paragraph 1, subparagraph 2B).
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Direct Engagement Opportunities: The Assistant Administrator is required to host webinars and outreach events in various regions of the United States specifically for rural small business concerns (Section 2, subsection d, paragraph 1).
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Collaborative Networking: Outreach events can include representatives from district offices, resource partners, and Federal or State agencies, providing more connections for small businesses (Section 2, subsection d, paragraph 2).
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Transparency and Accountability: The Administrator must submit annual reports to Congressional committees regarding the Office's operational details, budget, employee count, and a summary of activities, which must be made publicly available on a website (Section 2, subsection e, paragraph 1 and 2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly mentioned in the provided 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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+4Good For Rural Residents+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+5Increases Job Creation+1
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+3
- 12/2/2025
- Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 282.
- 12/1/2025
- 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 Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4916-4917)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4916-4917)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4549.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4916-4917)
- Mr. Williams (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 8/15/2025
- Reported by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-225.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 183.
- 8/8/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/22/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 0.
- 7/21/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Jared GoldenDemocrat · Maine
Tony WiedRepublican · Wisconsin