Overview
Title
To require the National Small Business Development Center Advisory Board to submit an annual report on the activities of the Board and other information, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The bill, H. R. 7104, wants a group that helps small businesses to tell the government what they did every year and share ideas to make things better, but it won't use extra money to do this.
Summary AI
H. R. 7104 requires the National Small Business Development Center Advisory Board to submit an annual report detailing its activities and offering recommendations to improve the small business development center program. The report will be submitted to various committees in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. The act does not allow for any additional funds to be allocated for its implementation.
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AnalysisAI
The bill titled "National SBDC Advisory Board Improvement Act" is a legislative proposal introduced in the United States House of Representatives. The goal of the bill is to require the National Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Advisory Board to submit an annual report detailing its activities, recommendations, and any other relevant information concerning the SBDC program. No new funding is allocated for these activities, aligning with "cutgo" principles, which suggests that costs should be offset by reductions elsewhere.
General Summary
The main objective of this bill is to foster greater transparency and accountability within the National SBDC Advisory Board by mandating an annual report. This report is expected to provide insights into the Board’s activities and offer recommendations for program improvements. Additionally, the report should include any other pertinent information deemed necessary by the Board. This requirement aims to enhance oversight and potentially improve the effectiveness of small business support services offered nationwide.
Summary of Significant Issues
A few key issues arise from the bill's language and stipulations:
Vagueness in Reporting Requirements: The bill lacks specificity in detailing what "such other information" should be included in the report. This could lead to varied interpretations and inconsistencies in the content of the annual reports.
Lack of Current Legal Context: The bill references amendments to Section 21(i) of the Small Business Act but does not provide the current text. This absence makes it challenging to fully grasp the amendment's implications.
Compliance with Funding Principles: While the bill adheres to "cutgo" guidelines by not authorizing additional funds, there’s no clear mechanism outlined to ensure that spending remains unaffected, which could result in budgeting uncertainties.
Evaluation Criteria: The bill does not specify criteria for assessing the Board's recommendations, which could impact the credibility and value of these suggestions.
Board Discretion: The phrase granting the Board discretion over report content poses risks of subjective and potentially biased reporting, which might affect transparency.
Public Impact
The bill’s requirement for an annual report might lead to more informed public policies and improvements to the SBDC program, benefiting small businesses seeking support. Increased accountability can also build public trust in the Board’s operations. However, the ambiguities in reporting requirements and evaluation criteria might reduce the report's effectiveness if not addressed.
Stakeholder Impact
Small Business Owners: These stakeholders stand to benefit from enhanced SBDC services if recommendations for improvement are effectively implemented. However, without clear evaluation criteria, the practical impact could be limited.
Taxpayers: Since the bill adheres to "cutgo" principles, taxpayers might not see an immediate financial impact. Nevertheless, inefficiencies in reporting and lack of clarity could indirectly affect fiscal management.
National SBDC Advisory Board: The Board might experience an increased administrative burden due to the reporting requirement. The lack of specific guidelines could lead to legal ambiguities and potential challenges in meeting these obligations consistently.
Overall, while the bill aims to enhance the effectiveness of small business support programs through increased oversight, its current framework may require adjustments to ensure clarity and maximize its potential benefits. Addressing identified issues could lead to a more impactful implementation of its objectives.
Issues
The amendment of Section 21(i) of the Small Business Act is referenced in the bill, but the current wording is not provided. This omission makes it difficult for stakeholders to understand the full impact of the amendment and could lead to misinterpretations of its effects. (Section 2)
The term 'such other information' in paragraph (3)(B) is vague, potentially leading to broad and inconsistent interpretations of what information the Board should include in their annual report. This lack of specificity could undermine the report's effectiveness and consistency. (Section 2)
The bill includes language regarding compliance with 'cutgo', stating that no additional amounts are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act. However, it lacks specific mechanisms to ensure spending does not increase, potentially leading to ambiguities in financial management. This could have significant financial implications if not clearly defined. (Section 2)
Without specific criteria for evaluating the recommendations for improving the small business development center program, the efficacy and practicality of these recommendations could be questioned. This lack of clarity can hinder constructive improvements and oversight of the program. (Section 2)
The phrase 'such other information with respect to such program that the Board determines appropriate' grants the Board considerable discretion, which could lead to inconsistent and potentially self-serving reporting. This could affect the transparency and accountability of the Board’s activities. (Section 2)
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the Act states that the short title of this legislation is the “National SBDC Advisory Board Improvement Act.”
2. National Small Business Development Center Advisory Board annual report Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section amends the Small Business Act to require the National Small Business Development Center Advisory Board to create an annual report for Congress. This report should include recommendations for improving the small business development center program and any other relevant information the Board sees fit to include, with no additional funding authorized for these activities.