House BillHR 2968Small Business AdministrationAdministrative law and regulatory procedures
Business over Ballots Act
INTRO APR 17· LAST ACTION APR 30
READING
3MIN
COSPONSORS
15
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Reported, not passed
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 3 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters because it defines the scope of government agencies' work and their role in civic processes. If passed, it would officially narrow the mission of the Small Business Administration, ensuring it focuses solely on supporting small businesses, as opposed to also participating in voter registration efforts. This changes how the SBA allocates its resources and the activities it can engage in.
For voters, it could mean one less potential place where they might encounter voter registration information, especially if the SBA or its partners were previously active in this area. If the bill doesn't become law, the SBA might continue or expand its involvement in facilitating voter registration, potentially making it easier for some people to sign up to vote through a government agency they might interact with for other reasons.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Prohibits the Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator from taking any action to facilitate voter registration, unless explicitly authorized by another federal law.
This directly restricts the SBA's activities, focusing its mission away from civic engagement and towards only business support.
PROVISION 02
Requires all new contracts or agreements from the SBA to include a term preventing recipients from using SBA assistance for voter registration.
This ensures that SBA funding is not indirectly used for voter registration by third-party organizations.
PROVISION 03
Prevents existing recipients of SBA assistance from using that aid for voter registration, unless their original terms explicitly allow it.
This extends the prohibition to current funding arrangements, preventing ongoing use of funds for voter registration.
PROVISION 04
Bars the SBA from using or requesting "covered entities" (like state/local governments or funded organizations) to engage in voter registration, unless Congress specifically authorizes it.
This prevents the SBA from indirectly facilitating voter registration through its partners, further reinforcing the core restriction.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 11.
COMMITTEE
APR 17
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
APR 17
Referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
This bill matters because it defines the scope of government agencies' work and their role in civic processes. If passed, it would officially narrow the mission of the Small Business Administration, ensuring it focuses solely on supporting small businesses, as opposed to also participating in voter registration efforts. This changes how the SBA allocates its resources and the activities it can engage in.
For voters, it could mean one less potential place where they might encounter voter registration information, especially if the SBA or its partners were previously active in this area. If the bill doesn't become law, the SBA might continue or expand its involvement in facilitating voter registration, potentially making it easier for some people to sign up to vote through a government agency they might interact with for other reasons.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Prohibits the Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator from taking any action to facilitate voter registration, unless explicitly authorized by another federal law.
This directly restricts the SBA's activities, focusing its mission away from civic engagement and towards only business support.
med
Requires all new contracts or agreements from the SBA to include a term preventing recipients from using SBA assistance for voter registration.
This ensures that SBA funding is not indirectly used for voter registration by third-party organizations.
med
Prevents existing recipients of SBA assistance from using that aid for voter registration, unless their original terms explicitly allow it.
This extends the prohibition to current funding arrangements, preventing ongoing use of funds for voter registration.
high
Bars the SBA from using or requesting "covered entities" (like state/local governments or funded organizations) to engage in voter registration, unless Congress specifically authorizes it.
This prevents the SBA from indirectly facilitating voter registration through its partners, further reinforcing the core restriction.
Any new contracts or agreements entered into by the Administrator to provide assistance to a person must include the specified term regarding voter registration use.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Small Business Administration (SBA)
A U.S. government agency that supports small businesses by providing loans, counseling, and other assistance.
Administrator
The head official of the Small Business Administration.
Sense of Congress
A formal statement of opinion or belief passed by both chambers of Congress that does not have the force of law, but expresses the legislative body's viewpoint on an issue.
Facilitate access to voter registration
To make it easier for people to sign up to vote, for example, by providing registration forms, information, or assistance.
Executive order
A directive issued by the President of the United States that manages operations of the federal government. Executive orders have the force of law if they are based on the President's constitutional or statutory powers.
Covered entity
An organization, state government, or local government that receives funding or other help from the SBA for its programs. This does not include people who get loans or loan guarantees directly from a specific part of the Small Business Act.
ACTION TIMELINE
4 EVENTS
APR 30, 25
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
COMMITTEE
APR 30, 25
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 11.
COMMITTEE
APR 17, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
APR 17, 25
Referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.