A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill amends the Small Business Act to reauthorize the SCORE program and update its requirements. It requires the Small Business Administration to conduct financial examinations of SCORE every two years and review certain contracts. SCORE must provide free counseling and low-cost education workshops for small businesses and maintain online counseling services. The legislation authorizes appropriations of $17,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 and 2028 for the program. It also imposes reporting requirements, accounting standards, and privacy protections for individuals receiving assistance. Finally, the bill updates references across various laws to replace the old name with SCORE.
Yes· 3 of 19
- Scored +8
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill reauthorizes and updates the SCORE program, ensuring ongoing free counseling, low-cost workshops, and robust online resources for small business owners.
- Scored +7
Would business owners be better off under this?
Small business owners receive extensive free mentoring, online counseling resources, and robust program support through the reauthorized SCORE legislation.
- Scored +7
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The legislation establishes explicit statutory privacy protections preventing the disclosure of sensitive personal and business information of SCORE clients without consent.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
The bill authorizes $17,000,000 in appropriations for each of fiscal years 2027 and 2028, slightly increasing government expenditures.
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The legislation dedicates new authorized funding of $17,000,000 annually for the SCORE program operations.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Free business counseling and workshops: Section 2, amending Section 8(c)(2)(B)(v)(I) of the Small Business Act, requires SCORE volunteers to provide personal counseling, mentoring, and coaching on starting or running a business at no cost to small business owners or aspiring owners. It also provides free or low-cost education workshops, which helps everyday folks get professional guidance without breaking the bank.
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Online counseling and resources: Section 2, amending Section 8(c)(3) of the Small Business Act, requires SCORE to maintain and expand online counseling services, webinars, electronic mentoring platforms, and online toolkits. This gives entrepreneurs remote access to helpful business tools regardless of their location.
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Whistleblower protections: Section 2, amending Section 8(c)(6) of the Small Business Act, requires SCORE to update its manuals to include whistleblower reporting procedures and protections, and to conduct annual training on these rules. This helps protect workers and volunteers who speak out against wrongdoing.
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Privacy protections: Section 2, amending Section 8(c)(8) of the Small Business Act, bans the Administrator and SCORE from disclosing the name, address, email address, or telephone number of any individual or small business receiving assistance without their consent, with very limited exceptions. This safeguards the personal information of citizens seeking help.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Taxpayer funding costs: Section 3 authorizes $17,000,000 to be appropriated to the Administrator for each of fiscal years 2027 and 2028 to carry out the SCORE program. This places a financial burden on taxpayers to fund the program operations.
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Small business owners receive extensive free mentoring, online counseling resources, and robust program support through the reauthorized SCORE legislation. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Providing completely free business counseling and low-cost educational workshops helps low-income individuals access professional expertise they could not otherwise afford. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Middle-aged individuals looking to start or expand small businesses gain access to professional guidance and digital toolkits. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Middle-class individuals striving to start or grow small businesses can utilize the reauthorized SCORE program's free resources. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The expansion of web-based initiatives, virtual counseling, and remote toolkits ensures rural entrepreneurs can easily access business mentorship. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Young adult entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners benefit directly from free counseling, mentoring, and low-cost training workshops. Would immigrants be better off under this? — Immigrants starting small businesses can access free, accessible counseling and online workshops to navigate the business landscape. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Urban residents gain access to expanded local chapter resources and comprehensive in-person counseling. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Veterans and military reservists seeking to start small businesses benefit from integrated entrepreneurial support services updated across related laws. Would students be better off under this? — Students exploring entrepreneurship can utilize the free educational workshops and online mentoring modules provided by SCORE.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill reauthorizes and updates the SCORE program, ensuring ongoing free counseling, low-cost workshops, and robust online resources for small business owners. Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — Stronger privacy mandates and whistleblower protections within the SCORE program enhance trust and accountability for clients receiving assistance. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill supports small business counseling and mentorship that assists entrepreneurs in starting and expanding enterprises, which can lead to job creation. Is this likely to grow the economy? — By providing free business counseling and educational resources to small businesses, the bill fosters entrepreneurial activity and economic development. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The legislation dedicates new authorized funding of $17,000,000 annually for the SCORE program operations. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — The bill authorizes $17,000,000 in appropriations for each of fiscal years 2027 and 2028, slightly increasing government expenditures.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The legislation establishes explicit statutory privacy protections preventing the disclosure of sensitive personal and business information of SCORE clients without consent. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates regular financial examinations, strict accounting standards, whistleblower protections, and comprehensive annual reporting to Congress.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The legislation expands online counseling services, webinars, and electronic mentoring platforms to support remote entrepreneurs.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The SCORE program expands remote and online advisory services and chapter outreach, helping deliver business resources to rural communities.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — By helping aspiring and current small business owners succeed through free guidance, the bill can foster economic mobility and lift individuals out of poverty.
- 10/9/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
- Introduced in House