Brad Finstad (R-MN)
SBA Artificial Intelligence Utilization Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House voice vote
- In Senate committee
The House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together): no member's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "SBA Artificial Intelligence Utilization Act of 2026," seeks to amend the Small Business Act. It requires the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to submit specific reports regarding the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning. These reports must be submitted within 90 days of enactment and annually thereafter to specific House and Senate committees. The reports must cover the use, benefits, and risks of these technologies within the Administration. Additionally, the Administrator must explain measures to manage these risks and retain human involvement in important decisions. Finally, the Administrator is required to provide a briefing to the relevant committees after each report is submitted.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +3
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
Mandates regular reports and briefings to Congress regarding the SBA's use of artificial intelligence.
- Scored +2
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
Enhances SBA operations and customer service delivery for small businesses utilizing agency programs.
- Scored +2
Would business owners be better off under this?
Improves administrative efficiency and customer service at the Small Business Administration.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Oversight of Technology Use: The Administrator must report on the benefits and risks of artificial intelligence and machine learning, including whether these tools impede the operations of the Administration (Section 2, subsection (c)(1)(B)).
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Ensuring Human Decision-Making: The bill requires the Administrator to explain how they can retain human involvement in important decisions that are informed by recommendations from artificial intelligence or machine learning (Section 2, subsection (c)(1)(C)(i)).
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Operational Efficiency and Service Quality: The reporting process includes identifying how these technologies might improve operations, productivity, or customer service (Section 2, subsection (c)(1)(C)(ii)).
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Accountability in Tool Adoption: The Administrator must determine if a tool adequately fills a need and is worth adopting before it is used to fulfill such a need (Section 2, subsection (c)(1)(C)(iv)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
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.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Mandates regular reports and briefings to Congress regarding the SBA's use of artificial intelligence. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — Mandates human involvement in important agency decisions informed by artificial intelligence. Does this give the federal government more power? — Requires federal agency reporting and briefings to congressional committees.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Enhances SBA operations and customer service delivery for small businesses utilizing agency programs. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill promotes better operational efficiency and customer service at the SBA through the structured evaluation of AI tools. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — Requires congressional oversight and reporting on agency technology expenditures and use.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Improves administrative efficiency and customer service at the Small Business Administration.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — Focuses on managing risks and retaining human oversight in government AI utilization. Does this put more rules on large technology companies? — Imposes governance and reporting mandates regarding federal agency adoption of AI and machine learning.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — Encourages careful evaluation and risk management of technology tools used by a federal agency.
- 6/24/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
- 6/23/2026
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4148)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4148)
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 8881.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4148-4149)
- Mr. Williams (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 6/3/2026
- Reported by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-681.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 594.
- 5/20/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 0.
- 5/19/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
George LatimerDemocrat · New York