Adam Schiff (D-CA)
A bill to improve the administration of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and for other purposes.
A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
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
S. 4957 aims to improve how the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership is managed. It requires the use of cooperative agreements and expands center evaluations to include financial management and fraud monitoring. The bill sets specific timelines for reevaluating centers on probation and mandates competitions to select new operators if a center fails to improve or loses funding. It also limits the Secretary's ability to take adverse actions against centers unless based on an evaluation that is not positive.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +3
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?
The bill enhances monitoring for fraud and misuse of funds within MEP centers.
- Scored +3
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates evaluations for fraud and misuse of public funds.
- Scored +2
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
Ensuring MEP centers are effectively operated improves the quality of support available to small manufacturers.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Fraud Prevention: Section 1(b) requires evaluations of centers to include financial management, specifically monitoring for the misuse of funds and potential fraud. This helps ensure public funds are used correctly.
-
Accountability for Performance: Section 1(d) mandates that the Secretary must start a competition for a new operator within 30 days if a center fails to fix deficiencies or loses financial assistance. This ensures centers are run by capable operators.
-
Protection Against Arbitrary Actions: Section 1(e) prevents the Secretary from taking adverse actions, such as canceling financial assistance, unless it is based on an evaluation that is not positive.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Strict Deadlines for Operators: Section 1(d) limits the application period for new center operators to no more than 90 days. This short window may limit the number of entities that can apply to run a center.
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 the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill enhances monitoring for fraud and misuse of funds within MEP centers. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Ensuring MEP centers are effectively operated improves the quality of support available to small manufacturers. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Improving the efficiency and accountability of manufacturing extension centers can marginally support economic productivity.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates evaluations for fraud and misuse of public funds. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — Prevents the Secretary from taking adverse actions against centers without a non-positive evaluation. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill mandates more stringent federal oversight and specific requirements for the Secretary's actions.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Manufacturing business owners benefit from better-managed extension partnerships. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Better MEP administration supports rural industrial growth.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — MEP centers often support rural manufacturers, and better administration helps these areas.
- 7/13/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Jon HustedRepublican · Ohio
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey
Bernie MorenoRepublican · Ohio