H.R.3736 - The Small Business Representation in Contracting Rulemaking Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.3736, the Small Business Representation in Contracting Rulemaking Act, aims to enhance the role of the Small Business Administration (SBA) in federal contracting. The bill proposes adding the SBA Administrator to the Federal Acquisition Regulatory (FAR) Council. This addition seeks to ensure small business interests are considered during the development of federal contracting regulations.
The bill also mandates the SBA Administrator to submit a report to Congress assessing the resources needed for this new role. This report should include recommendations for changes to laws, strategies, policies, or regulations to assist the Administrator in carrying out these duties.
Ultimately, the goal is to provide small businesses with a stronger voice in federal procurement processes, potentially leading to increased opportunities and a more level playing field.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill would be to formally include the SBA Administrator in the FAR Council's decision-making processes. This could lead to changes in federal contracting regulations that are more favorable to small businesses. The required report could also identify areas where additional support or resources are needed to further assist small businesses in securing federal contracts.
Potential Benefits
- Increased representation of small business interests in federal contracting regulations.
- Potential for more small businesses to secure federal contracts.
- Improved understanding of the resources needed to support small business participation in federal procurement.
- Possible streamlining of regulations to reduce burdens on small businesses.
- Enhanced competitiveness for small businesses in the federal marketplace.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased bureaucracy and delays in the rulemaking process due to the addition of another member to the FAR Council.
- Risk that the SBA Administrator's recommendations may not be fully implemented or may face resistance from other agencies.
- Possible unintended consequences of new regulations that could negatively impact certain industries or types of small businesses.
- The report mandated by the bill could reveal a need for significant additional resources, placing a burden on the SBA budget.
- Larger businesses may perceive this as creating an unfair advantage for small businesses.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the spirit of promoting the general welfare, as stated in the Preamble of the US Constitution, by supporting small businesses. Congress's power to regulate commerce (Article I, Section 8) provides the constitutional basis for federal contracting regulations. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).