Bill · H.R. 941· House(119-HR-941)
Small LENDER Act
- Introduced
- 2/4/2025
- Last activity
- 6/18/2026 — Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 610.
- Sponsored by
- J. Hill
- Cosponsors
- - 16 - 0
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
H.R. 941, known as the Small LENDER Act, amends the Equal Credit Opportunity Act regarding small business lending data collection. It gives financial institutions until June 1, 2031, before they are required to comply with certain data collection rules, and provides a two-year safe harbor where compliance is not enforced. The bill exempts financial institutions that originated less than 2,500 small business credit transactions in each of the two previous calendar years, or that have less than $10,000,000,000 in assets. It requires financial institutions to inform applicants in writing that providing data is not required and will not affect credit evaluations. Additionally, it prohibits financial institutions from compiling information using visual observation or any manner other than direct provision by the applicant. Finally, it redefines a small business as an entity with gross annual revenues of $1,000,000 or less.
Yes· 3 of 6
Would business owners be better off under this?+6
The bill provides significant regulatory relief and exemptions for small business owners and the small financial institutions that lend to them.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+5
The bill reduces the regulatory and reporting burden on small financial institutions through exemptions and a delayed compliance date.
Would farmers be better off under this?+4
Small agricultural lenders will benefit from the exemptions and reduced reporting requirements provided by the bill.
The opposite· 3 of 9
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?-4
By delaying the collection of small business lending data, the bill hinders the ability to monitor and address potential disparities in credit access.
Would Black Americans be better off under this?-3
The delay in data collection may obscure patterns of lending disparities that impact minority-owned businesses.
Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this?-3
Limiting the collection of lending data can reduce the ability to track and address equity gaps in credit access for Hispanic business owners.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Clear Applicant Rights: Under section 2 amending subsection (c), financial institutions must inform applicants in writing that they are not required to provide the requested information and that their response will not affect the credit evaluation. This protects applicants from feeling pressured.
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Simpler Forms: Under section 2 amending subsection (c), the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection must establish a single-page model form written in plain English for providing information to applicants. This makes the process easier for people to understand.
-
Protection Against Guesswork: Under section 2 amending subsection (d)(5), financial institutions are prohibited from compiling and maintaining information determined using visual observation or any manner other than being provided by the applicant. This ensures accuracy and protects people from being categorized by guesswork.
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Relief for Smaller Lenders: Under section 2 amending subsection (f)(5), financial institutions are exempt from the data collection requirements if they originated less than 2,500 small business credit transactions in each of the two previous years or have less than $10,000,000,000 in assets. This protects smaller institutions and community lenders from heavy reporting burdens.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Delayed Implementation: Under section 2 amending subsection (f)(4), the Bureau cannot require compliance until June 1, 2031, and cannot enforce compliance during a subsequent two-year safe harbor period. This delays the collection and reporting of small business lending data for a significant time.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity-4
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+6Good For Farmers+4Good For Rural Residents+4Good For White Americans+3Good For Middle Class Households+2Good For African Americans-3Good For Asian Americans-3Good For Hispanic Americans-3Good For Native Americans-3Good For Low Income Households-2Good For Women-2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency-3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+5Improves Consumer Protection-3
- 6/18/2026
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 119-702.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 610.
- 5/4/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/21/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 22.
- 4/20/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/28/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/29/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/2/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/14/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/13/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/8/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/12/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/4/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Vern BuchananRepublican · Florida
Bill HuizengaRepublican · Michigan
Ashley HinsonRepublican · Iowa
Mike HaridopolosRepublican · Florida
Trent KellyRepublican · Mississippi
Daniel MeuserRepublican · Pennsylvania
Ryan MackenzieRepublican · Pennsylvania
Tim MooreRepublican · North Carolina
Zachary NunnRepublican · Iowa
John RoseRepublican · Tennessee
Jefferson ShreveRepublican · Indiana
William TimmonsRepublican · South Carolina
Joe WilsonRepublican · South Carolina
Steve WomackRepublican · Arkansas
Ann WagnerRepublican · Missouri
Roger WilliamsRepublican · Texas