Overview
Title
To require the Small Business Administration, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and the Delta Regional Authority to enter into an agreement to carry out activities to expand rural entrepreneurship, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
In H.R. 9166, the "RISE Act," three groups, the Small Business Administration, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and the Delta Regional Authority, are teaming up to help people in the countryside start and grow their own businesses. They will make a special plan to work together and tell Congress how they're doing in two years.
Summary AI
H.R. 9166, titled the “Rural Innovation and Small Business Expansion Act” or the “RISE Act,” proposes a collaboration among the Small Business Administration, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and the Delta Regional Authority. The bill requires these entities to create an agreement aimed at promoting rural entrepreneurship and supporting small businesses in the Appalachian and Delta regions. The covered organizations must develop a memorandum of understanding to detail their cooperative efforts and report on their progress to Congress within two years of the bill's enactment. Additionally, the bill emphasizes the inclusion of small business concerns and allows for collaboration with other federal agencies to carry out the intended activities effectively.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
H. R. 9166, also known as the “Rural Innovation and Small Business Expansion Act” or the “RISE Act,” proposes a mandate for the Small Business Administration, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and the Delta Regional Authority to formally collaborate. The main objective of this bill is to foster rural entrepreneurship and to support small businesses within the Appalachian and Delta regions of the United States. The bill outlines procedures for creating memoranda of understanding between these agencies, sets a timeline for reporting progresses to Congress, and defines key terminologies involved in the proposed implementation.
Significant Issues
One significant issue with the bill is the lack of defined roles and responsibilities among the involved agencies. Without clear guidelines on how the responsibilities are divided, the possibility of inefficiencies or duplication of efforts is high. Another concern arises from the vague specifications related to reporting. The bill does not clearly outline the metrics or parameters that will be used to measure the success of activities, which may result in accountability challenges.
Additionally, overlapping jurisdictions between the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Delta Regional Authority might lead to conflicts or redundant efforts. The bill mentions "reimbursable agreements" and collaborations with other federal agencies, but the lack of specificity in guidelines could result in misuse of funds or resources.
The term "other appropriate entities" used in the bill is ambiguous, potentially expanding its scope too broadly without any clear criteria. This ambiguity could lead to misinterpretations or misuse of partnerships. Lastly, the emphasis on existing organizations such as the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Delta Regional Authority may restrict opportunities for new entities or innovative solutions, which might otherwise bring fresh perspectives or approaches to rural entrepreneurship.
Impact on the Public
The bill aims to support rural entrepreneurship, potentially benefiting small businesses in economically disadvantaged regions by improving access to resources and fostering a conducive environment for growth. If successfully implemented, this could lead to regional economic development, job creation, and revitalization of rural areas.
However, the bill's vague language and lack of clear frameworks could hinder its effectiveness. Without stringent metrics for success or clearly assigned responsibilities, the actual impact on rural communities might be difficult to verify or realize. The risk of bureaucratic inefficiencies may also impede timely and effective support for small businesses.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For small businesses and entrepreneurs in the Appalachian and Delta regions, the bill offers a promise of increased support and resources, potentially providing new opportunities to thrive. Successfully expanding initiatives in these areas could enable these stakeholders to compete more effectively in the larger market.
On the other hand, existing organizations such as the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Delta Regional Authority may benefit from enhanced roles and increased funding. However, the bill’s lack of inclusivity for new entities might limit opportunities for innovative ideas and collaborations that could further benefit the rural business landscape.
Overall, while the RISE Act seeks to bolster rural entrepreneurship, its broad language and operational ambiguities need refinement to ensure that the intended support reaches the ground and effectively makes a difference for the local communities it aims to serve.
Issues
The memorandum of understanding requires collaboration between the Small Business Administration, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and the Delta Regional Authority without specifying how responsibilities are divided, which might lead to inefficiencies or duplication of efforts. This issue is mentioned in Section 2(b).
The reporting requirement is vague on what specific metrics should be used to assess the effectiveness of the activities performed under the memorandum, which could result in a lack of accountability. This issue is highlighted in Section 2(e).
There is a potential issue of overlapping jurisdictions and responsibilities between the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Delta Regional Authority, which is not addressed in the text. This concern is relevant to Section 2(a) and further collaboration outlined in Section 2(d).
The language in Section 2(d) about 'reimbursable agreements' and collaboration with other Federal agencies is broad and lacks specific guidelines, potentially leading to unregulated use of funds or resources.
The term 'other appropriate entities' in subsection 2(d)(1) is ambiguous and could apply to a wide range of organizations without clear criteria, leading to potential misuse or misunderstanding.
The bill might favor existing organizations, such as the Appalachian Regional Commission and Delta Regional Authority, without opening opportunities for new entities or innovative approaches. This concern broadly impacts the aims of 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 section provides the short title for the Act, which is officially named the "Rural Innovation and Small Business Expansion Act" and may also be referred to as the "RISE Act".
2. Memorandum of understanding to expand rural entrepreneurship and small business within Appalachia and Delta area Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section requires the leaders of the Small Business Administration, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and the Delta Regional Authority to create an agreement to boost rural entrepreneurship and support small businesses in the Appalachian and Delta regions. It also outlines the need for cooperation, reports to Congress, and definitions of key terms.