Bill · S. 2232· Senate(119-S-2232)
Expanding the Surety Bond Program Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 7/9/2025
- Last activity
- 5/4/2026 — Held at the desk.
- Sponsored by
- Edward Markey
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Awaiting House
What this bill would do
This act, known as the "Expanding the Surety Bond Program Act of 2025," seeks to expand the existing surety bond program. It increases the limit for certain bond amounts from $6,500,000 to $18,000,000. The bill includes provisions that reduce this limit by 33 percent if the Administrator requests supplemental funds. It also allows for more than 2 percent of the fund to be used for administrative costs. Additionally, the act mandates specific financial and activity reports from the Small Business Administration and a report from the Government Accountability Office.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+7
The act significantly increases the surety bond guarantee limit to help small businesses secure more substantial bonding.
Would business owners be better off under this?+6
The increase in bond guarantee limits provides more robust support for small business owners.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+5
The bill mandates annual reports from the SBA and a GAO report to improve program visibility and efficiency.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Bond Limits: The bill raises the limit in section 411(a)(1)(A) from $6,500,000 to $18,000,000, which expands the scope of the surety bond program.
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Administrative Efficiency: Section 412(b) allows up to 2 percent of the fund to be used for management and administration, including information technology, systems, and outreach activities.
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Improved Program Oversight: Section 413(a) requires the Small Business Administration to submit annual reports regarding bond guarantees, claims paid, and the financial health of the revolving fund.
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Streamlined Processes: Section 413(b) directs the Government Accountability Office to submit a report on current approval processes with recommendations for improving efficiency and simplifying paperwork requirements.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Reduced Limits During Funding Requests: Under section 411(a)(1)(B)(i), if the Administrator requests supplemental funds, the bond limit is reduced by 33 percent for a specific period of 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.
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+7Improves Fiscal Responsibility+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+6
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5
- 5/4/2026
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 5/1/2026
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 4/29/2026
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2108-2109; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S2108-2109)
- 7/30/2025
- Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Reported by Senator Ernst with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 135.
- 7/16/2025
- Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 7/9/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
- Introduced in Senate