A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 747.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the 504 Program Level Flexibility Act. It amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. The legislation gives the Administrator of the Small Business Administration the authority to increase the amount of commitments to qualified State or local development companies. Specifically, for fiscal year 2027 and each fiscal year thereafter, if loan commitments could exceed the established limit, the Administrator may make commitments up to 115 percent of that limit. The Administrator must give a 30-day notice to specific congressional committees before exercising this authority. Finally, the Administrator is limited to using this authority only once during any fiscal year.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +8
Would business owners be better off under this?
Directly benefits small business owners by increasing the availability of 504 loan guarantees.
- Scored +7
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
Directly increases the capacity for loan guarantees to small businesses via the 504 program.
- Scored +4
Is this likely to grow the economy?
Providing more capital to small businesses through loan guarantees stimulates economic activity.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
Increasing loan guarantee commitments could potentially increase federal liability.
- Scored -1
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?
Allowing the SBA to exceed statutory limits by 15% slightly reduces strict fiscal capping.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Section 2 (adding subsection (j)(1) to Section 503 of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958) allows the Administrator to increase commitments for loans to qualified State or local development companies up to 115 percent of the limit if loan commitments could exceed the normal limit. This could benefit individuals and small businesses by providing greater access to funding when demand is high.
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Section 2 (adding subsection (j)(2) to Section 503) requires the Administrator to submit a notice of intent to specific House and Senate committees at least 30 days before exercising the authority to increase loan commitments. This holds the official accountable by ensuring elected representatives in Congress are informed before the action is taken.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Based on the provided text, there are no explicitly mentioned negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Directly increases the capacity for loan guarantees to small businesses via the 504 program. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Providing more capital to small businesses through loan guarantees stimulates economic activity. Is this likely to create jobs? — Increased loan availability for small businesses generally supports expansion and hiring. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — Allowing the SBA to exceed statutory limits by 15% slightly reduces strict fiscal capping. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — Increasing loan guarantee commitments could potentially increase federal liability.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Directly benefits small business owners by increasing the availability of 504 loan guarantees. Would farmers be better off under this? — Potential benefit for small-scale agricultural business owners.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — Grants the SBA Administrator additional discretionary authority to expand loan limits. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requires a 30-day notice to Congress before exercising the expanded authority.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — Increased loan availability may benefit rural development companies.
A committee approved it and sent it to the floor
What changed from Introduced in House: No change to the wording. Only the printed details that record the bill’s progress, such as the heading and dates, are different.
- 10/9/2026
- Reported by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-850.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 747.
- 9/16/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 0.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/14/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Mark AlfordRepublican · Missouri
Gilbert CisnerosDemocrat · California