Overview

Title

To amend the Small Business Act to enhance the Office of Rural Affairs, and for other purposes.

ELI5 AI

S. 4764 wants to help small businesses in the countryside by making a special office better. It plans to hire a new helper with rural experience to work with other groups and teach through online meetings, so that farmers and small-town business owners can get more help and ideas.

Summary AI

S. 4764 aims to enhance the Small Business Act by improving the Office of Rural Affairs. It proposes the appointment of an Assistant Administrator with experience in rural issues and suggests increased outreach through webinars and collaboration with other agencies. The bill focuses on assisting rural small businesses with better access to programs and resources through cooperation with the Department of Agriculture and other entities. It also requires annual reporting on the office’s activities and coordination efforts to support rural businesses, including special attention to innovation and overlapping rural markets.

Published

2024-07-24
Congress: 118
Session: 2
Chamber: SENATE
Status: Introduced in Senate
Date: 2024-07-24
Package ID: BILLS-118s4764is

Keywords AI

office of rural affairs small business act rural small businesses assistant administrator interagency cooperation department of agriculture federal resources outreach programs annual reporting webinars and events

Sources

Bill Statistics

Size

Sections:
2
Words:
1,822
Pages:
10
Sentences:
23

Language

Nouns: 521
Verbs: 131
Adjectives: 71
Adverbs: 16
Numbers: 58
Entities: 106

Complexity

Average Token Length:
4.24
Average Sentence Length:
79.22
Token Entropy:
4.88
Readability (ARI):
41.30

AnalysisAI

General Summary of the Bill

The proposed legislation, titled the "Coordinated Support for Rural Small Businesses Act," aims to amend the Small Business Act to enhance the Office of Rural Affairs within the Small Business Administration (SBA). The bill establishes new roles, duties, and interagency cooperation initiatives focused on supporting rural small businesses. Among its objectives, the bill seeks to promote federal resources, coordinate outreach programs, and facilitate collaboration between federal departments, particularly the SBA and the Department of Agriculture. The bill also requires regular reports to Congress on its activities and impact.

Summary of Significant Issues

The proposed legislation comes with several issues that might affect its implementation and effectiveness:

  1. Funding and Budget: A significant concern is the lack of specific budget or funding allocations for the Office of Rural Affairs. Without clear financial guidelines, there might be risks of either insufficient support or potential wasteful spending.

  2. Qualifications for Leadership: The bill outlines qualifications for the Assistant Administrator but does so broadly, which could lead to ambiguity. This lack of specificity might affect the effectiveness of leadership within the Office.

  3. Complex Coordination: The section emphasizing interagency cooperation, especially with the Department of Agriculture, is detailed but potentially complex. This might slow down implementation due to bureaucratic challenges.

  4. Vague Language on Partnerships: The language regarding collaboration with "community and nonprofit partners in the small business ecosystem" is vague, which could cause confusion or inefficiency. More precise definitions and guidelines might be needed.

  5. Accountability Measures: The bill mandates an annual report but does not detail penalties or consequences for non-compliance, potentially weakening the accountability of the Office.

  6. Outreach Event Provisions: The provisions related to webinars and outreach events are broad and lack detail. Without specifics on frequency, location, or measurable outcomes, these activities might not effectively utilize resources.

Potential Impact on the Public

This bill could have a substantial impact on rural communities, potentially fostering economic growth by increasing support for small businesses. By enhancing the Office of Rural Affairs, the bill aims to make federal resources more accessible and effective in rural areas, which could encourage entrepreneurship and business development. However, the lack of detailed financial planning and potential bureaucratic hurdles might limit the positive effects initially.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

Rural Small Businesses: The bill is explicitly designed to benefit rural small businesses by improving access to federal resources, programs, and developmental assistance. If successful, it could lead to stronger business ecosystems and community growth in rural areas.

Federal Agencies: Agencies like the SBA and the Department of Agriculture are key players, and the bill promotes their cooperative efforts. Coordination might improve service delivery but could also strain resources if not managed efficiently.

Communities and Nonprofits: While these groups are potential partners, the vague language on partnership roles might hinder effective collaboration unless further clarified. Successful partnerships could lead to better support networks for rural businesses.

In conclusion, while the bill presents opportunities for the growth of rural small businesses and improvements in the coordination of federal support, addressing the highlighted issues could significantly enhance its effectiveness and ensure more impactful outcomes for stakeholders.

Issues

  • The bill lacks specific budget or funding allocation details for the Office of Rural Affairs, which raises concerns about potential wasteful spending or inadequate financial support. This issue is referenced in Section 2.

  • The qualifications for the Assistant Administrator are broadly defined, creating ambiguity about who may be considered 'qualified' to lead the Office effectively. This concern is addressed in Section 2.

  • The section on interagency cooperation is complex and detailed, which might slow implementation due to potential bureaucratic challenges. This issue is discussed in Section 2.

  • There is vague language concerning collaboration with 'community and nonprofit partners in the small business ecosystem,' which could lead to confusion or inefficiencies without further specificity. This concern is highlighted in Section 2.

  • The section mandates an annual report on the office's activities but does not specify any penalties for non-compliance, potentially weakening accountability measures. This issue is found in Section 2.

  • The provisions related to webinars and outreach events are broad and lack detail on frequency, location, or measurable outcomes, potentially leading to ineffective resource utilization. This concern is mentioned in 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

This section names the law as the “Coordinated Support for Rural Small Businesses Act.”

2. Office of Rural Affairs of the Small Business Administration Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The section amends the Small Business Act to establish the Office of Rural Affairs within the Small Business Administration, defining the roles and duties of the Assistant Administrator. It focuses on supporting rural small businesses by coordinating outreach programs, improving interagency cooperation with the Department of Agriculture, and promoting federal resources available to these businesses, with regular reports to Congress on their activities and impact.