Bills · HR 6955
PASSED HOUSE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 6955Government ethics and transparency, public corruptionFraud offenses and financial crimes
Main Street Capital Access Act
INTRO JAN 7· LAST ACTION JUL 22
READING
112MIN
COSPONSORS
33
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Reported, not passed
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 4 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it tries to address concerns about the declining number of new banks, often called "de novo" institutions, especially in local and rural communities. Fewer new banks can mean less competition, potentially leading to fewer choices and higher fees for consumers, and less tailored lending for local businesses.
If this bill becomes law, it could make it more attractive to start new banks, potentially increasing access to financial services in underserved areas and fostering more competition. If it doesn't pass, the trend of fewer new banks might continue, which could lead to a less diverse banking landscape and potentially less capital available for local economic development, particularly in rural regions.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
New banks get a three-year period to gradually meet federal capital requirements, instead of needing to meet them all at once when they open.
This makes it easier and less financially burdensome to start a new bank, potentially encouraging more new institutions.
PROVISION 02
For three years after opening, new banks can request to change their business plans, and regulators must approve or deny the request within 30 days, or it's automatically approved.
This speeds up the approval process for business plan adjustments, giving new banks more flexibility to adapt quickly in their early stages.
PROVISION 03
New rural banks (under $10 billion in assets) would have a lower capital requirement (specifically, a Community Bank Leverage Ratio) for their first three years of operation.
This helps new small banks in rural areas manage their finances more easily during their crucial early years, potentially leading to more local banking options.
PROVISION 04
Federal savings associations are now allowed to make loans specifically for agricultural purposes.
This expands the types of loans these institutions can offer, potentially increasing access to financing for farmers and agricultural businesses.
PROVISION 05
Federal banking agencies must conduct a study on why so few new banks have been established over the last decade.
This aims to understand the root causes of the decline in new bank formation, which could inform future policy decisions.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 33
R· Arkansas
YRS IN OFFICE
11
BILLS LED
33
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 0 REP 33 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
20 EVENTSJUL 22
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
JUL 21
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
JUL 21
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 270 - 155, 1 Present (Roll no. 271). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4708-4722)
JUL 21
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 270 - 155, 1 Present (Roll no. 271). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4708-4722)
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 6955
Congress119th
StatusPassed House
IntroducedJan 7, 2026
Last actionJul 22, 2026
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PASSED HOUSE· 119TH CONGRESS · BANKING, HOUSING, AND URBAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 7, 2026
House BillHR 6955Government ethics and transparency, public corruptionFraud offenses and financial crimes
Main Street Capital Access Act
INTRODUCED JAN 7, 2026· LAST ACTION JUL 22, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
112 min
COSPONSORS
33
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
