James Moylan (R-GU)
Territorial Small Business Development Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 2 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, known as the ``Territorial Small Business Development Act of 2026'', seeks to amend the Small Business Act. It requires the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to create a specific program for small business concerns. This program would assist businesses owned and controlled by residents of Pacific territories. The targeted territories include Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The assistance provided would be of the same type and manner as that given to socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +8
Would business owners be better off under this?
Small business owners in Guam, American Samoa, and the CNMI gain access to a new specialized assistance program.
- Scored +8
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill creates a dedicated assistance program specifically for small businesses owned and controlled by residents of Guam, American Samoa, and the CNMI.
- Scored +3
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill provides targeted support to specific geographic territories including American Samoa and the CNMI.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Assistance for Pacific Territories Residents: The bill directs the Administrator to establish a program to provide assistance to small business concerns owned and controlled by residents of Guam, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (Section 2(a)(1)(A)). This provides a specific mechanism for support similar to how assistance is provided to socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns (Section 2(a)(1)(A)).
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Removal of Net Worth Barriers: Under this new program, the Administrator is prohibited from establishing any eligibility requirements related to the net worth of an applicant (Section 2(a)(1)(A)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Residency Duration Requirement: To receive assistance, owners must be able to demonstrate status as a Pacific territories resident for a 10-year period preceding the date of receipt of the assistance (Section 2(a)(1)(B)).
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 in Guam, American Samoa, and the CNMI gain access to a new specialized assistance program. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill provides targeted support to specific geographic territories including American Samoa and the CNMI. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — The bill provides economic support to residents of Pacific territories, which includes populations with significant Asian American heritage. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The removal of net worth requirements helps residents who may have limited personal wealth to access business assistance.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill creates a dedicated assistance program specifically for small businesses owned and controlled by residents of Guam, American Samoa, and the CNMI. Is this likely to create jobs? — The establishment of a support program for small businesses in Pacific territories is likely to foster business growth and employment. Is this likely to grow the economy? — By providing assistance to small businesses in specific territories, the bill aims to stimulate local economic activity.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill provides economic assistance modeled after programs for socially and economically disadvantaged groups to help residents of Pacific territories.
- 4/16/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Kimberlyn King-HindsRepublican · Northern Mariana Islands
Aumua Amata RadewagenRepublican · American Samoa