Bill · S. 1698· Senate(119-S-1698)
Small Business Disaster Coordination Act
- Introduced
- 5/8/2025
- Last activity
- 5/8/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
- Sponsored by
- James Risch
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 3
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Small Business Disaster Coordination Act aims to amend the Small Business Disaster Response and Loan Improvements Act of 2008. It seeks to change how the Small Business Administration handles disaster response and planning by requiring more coordination with resource partners. The bill allows the Administrator to authorize resource partners to provide assistance to small businesses outside of their usual service areas. It also includes provisions for the continuity of services and the use of specific sites or facilities for recovery assistance. Additionally, the act mandates that the Administrator share information with resource partners to help spread public awareness.
Yes· 3 of 8
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+6
The bill expands the ability of resource partners to provide advice and assistance to small businesses across geographic service areas during disasters.
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?+5
The bill improves the coordination of disaster recovery assistance through the SBA and its resource partners.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+3
The bill allows resource partners to assist businesses outside their usual geographic areas, which benefits rural businesses that may lack local resources.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Expanded Access to Assistance: The Administrator may authorize resource partners to provide advice, information, and assistance to small business concerns even if they are located outside of the partner's usual service area, provided they coordinate with local partners (Section 2(a)(1)(i)(1)).
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Extended Support Periods: Resource partners can provide assistance for up to 2 years after a disaster is determined to exist, and the Administrator has the discretion to extend this period (Section 2(a)(1)(i)(2)).
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Increased Public Awareness: The Administrator is required to make information available to resource partners so they can help amplify public awareness regarding information needed by disaster loan applicants (Section 2(a)(1)(2)(B)).
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Improved Resource Use: The bill includes guidelines for the Administration to coordinate with various authorities and resource partners to best respond to demand and make the best use of resources (Section 2(a)(1)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Service Disruption Risks: While resource partners are instructed to ensure continuity of services in their own areas, there is a requirement to do so "to the maximum extent practicable" when providing assistance to outside areas (Section 2(a)(1)(i)(3)).
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+6Increases Job Creation+1
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+3Good For Low Income Households+2Good For Urban Residents+1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Affordable Housing+1
- 6/4/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/8/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Michael BennetDemocrat · Colorado
Maria CantwellDemocrat · Washington
Mike CrapoRepublican · Idaho
Bernie MorenoRepublican · Ohio
Gary PetersDemocrat · Michigan