Christopher Coons (D-DE)
New Opportunities for Business Ownership and Self-Sufficiency Act
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the rules governing the State administration of self-employment assistance programs.
A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
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 "New Opportunities for Business Ownership and Self-Sufficiency Act" or the "NO BOSS Act," aims to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. It focuses on modifying the rules for how States administer self-employment assistance programs. Specifically, it removes the requirement that participants must be likely to exhaust regular unemployment compensation. It also changes the requirements for participating in self-employment assistance activities. The changes are set to take effect two years after enactment. Finally, it directs the Secretary of Labor to adopt regulations and provide guidance to State workforce agencies.
Yes· 3 of 12
- Scored +6
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The legislation improves small business support by providing clear pathways for entrepreneurial training, business counseling, and technical assistance.
- Scored +5
Would business owners be better off under this?
Promotes new business formation and provides structured support like technical assistance and counseling for aspiring entrepreneurs.
- Scored +5
Is this likely to create jobs?
The bill supports self-employment and business creation by streamlining state self-employment assistance programs for unemployed individuals.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Elimination of exhaustion requirement: By striking the requirement that participants are likely to exhaust regular unemployment compensation, the bill changes how individuals qualify for assistance. (Section 2(a))
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Expanded assistance activities: The bill allows for self-employment assistance activities that include entrepreneurial training, business counseling, and technical assistance. (Section 2(b)(i))
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Flexibility for business planning: Individuals can participate in activities performed pursuant to a business plan and market feasibility study that is approved by the State or a designated agency. (Section 2(b)(ii))
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State agency guidance: The Secretary of Labor will provide a model list of activities and best practices for verifying completion to help State workforce agencies. (Section 2(e))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Delayed implementation: The amendments regarding the modification of rules do not apply until two years after the date of enactment. (Section 2(c))
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? — Promotes new business formation and provides structured support like technical assistance and counseling for aspiring entrepreneurs. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill opens self-employment assistance earlier, helping low-income individuals transition out of unemployment into business ownership. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Middle-aged workers facing displacement can more easily access self-employment programs without exhausting regular benefits. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Middle-class households benefit from having more flexible options to pursue self-employment while receiving unemployment benefits. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Young adults entering the workforce or seeking alternative employment opportunities benefit from clearer entrepreneurial training pathways.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The legislation improves small business support by providing clear pathways for entrepreneurial training, business counseling, and technical assistance. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill supports self-employment and business creation by streamlining state self-employment assistance programs for unemployed individuals. Does this increase support for people who lose their jobs? — It expands access to self-employment assistance programs for individuals receiving unemployment compensation by removing the exhaustion requirement. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Facilitating easier entry into self-employment and entrepreneurship can stimulate local economic activity and business formation.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this leave more decisions to the states? — It gives states flexibility in administering self-employment assistance programs and allows them to amend laws early. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill directs the Secretary of Labor to adopt regulations and issue guidance for state workforce agencies.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — By helping unemployed individuals transition into self-employment and business ownership, it can contribute to long-term income security and poverty reduction.
- 9/16/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/4/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/16/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Michael BennetDemocrat · Colorado
Jon HustedRepublican · Ohio
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia
James LankfordRepublican · Oklahoma