S.371 - SBA Disaster Transparency Act (119th Congress)
Summary
The SBA Disaster Transparency Act (S.371) mandates the Small Business Administration (SBA) to publish reports on small business disaster assistance on its website. This bill amends Section 12091 of the Small Business Disaster Response and Loan Improvements Act of 2008, requiring the SBA to publish reports previously only submitted to Congress. The bill aims to increase transparency and public access to information regarding disaster assistance for small businesses.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill will be increased transparency regarding SBA disaster assistance programs. Small business owners and the public will have easier access to information about the distribution and impact of disaster loans. This increased transparency could lead to greater accountability and potentially improve the efficiency of disaster relief efforts.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in SBA disaster assistance programs.
- Easier access to information for small business owners seeking assistance.
- Potential for improved accountability and efficiency in disaster relief.
- Empowered oversight from the public and Congress.
- Data-driven insights for future disaster preparedness and response.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential increased workload for the SBA to publish the reports.
- Possible costs associated with maintaining the online publication of reports.
- Risk of misinterpretation of data if reports are not presented clearly.
- No direct impact on the amount or type of disaster assistance provided.
- The act itself does not address the speed at which assistance is provided, only the transparency of reporting.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the principles of government transparency and accountability, which are implicit in the structure of the US Constitution. While the Constitution does not explicitly mandate transparency, the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of speech and the press supports the idea of an informed citizenry holding the government accountable. Additionally, Article I, Section 9 requires a regular statement and account of the receipts and expenditures of all public money.
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).