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S. 4588·116th Congress·Senate Bill

Small Business Broadband and Emerging Information Technology Enhancement Act of 2020

Stage not supplied

The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.

Latest action (16 Sep 2020): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

What this bill does

This bill, the Small Business Broadband and Emerging Information Technology Enhancement Act of 2020, would direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to appoint a senior employee to serve as a coordinator for broadband and emerging information technologies. This coordinator would be responsible for identifying best practices for small businesses and coordinating SBA programs that help them adopt and use these technologies. The SBA would also be required to train its employees on these technologies and report on its related programs and their impact on small businesses.

The bill defines "broadband" as high-speed wired or wireless internet and "emerging information technology" to include areas like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and 3D printing. Small businesses that use or seek to use these technologies would be affected. The SBA itself would also be affected by the new responsibilities and reporting requirements outlined in the bill.

Introduced in the Senate in September 2020 by Senator Jeanne Shaheen and others, the bill was referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Its current status is "Introduced," meaning it has not yet advanced through the legislative process.

Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.

Official summary

Small Business Broadband and Emerging Information Technology Enhancement Act of 2020

This bill directs the Small Business Administration (SBA) to designate a senior Office of Investment and Innovation employee as broadband and emerging information technology coordinator, and it establishes measures to aid the competitiveness and productivity of small businesses through broadband access and other emerging information technologies.

The coordinator's responsibilities shall include (1) identifying best practices relating to broadband and emerging information technology that may help small businesses; and (2) coordinating SBA programs that assist small businesses in adopting, making innovations in, and using broadband and other information technologies. The SBA must also provide training to familiarize its employees with broadband and other emerging technologies.

Further, the SBA must report on (1) its programs and activities relating to broadband and emerging information technologies, and (2) the impact of broadband and emerging information technology deployment on small businesses.

Timeline

  1. 16 Sep 2020

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Common questions

What does S. 4588 do?
This bill, the Small Business Broadband and Emerging Information Technology Enhancement Act of 2020, would direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to appoint a senior employee to serve as a coordinator for broadband and emerging information technologies. This coordinator would be responsible for identifying best practices for small businesses and coordinating SBA programs that help them adopt and use these technologies. The SBA would also be required to train its employees on these technologies and report on its related programs and their impact on small businesses. The bill defines "broadband" as high-speed wired or wireless internet and "emerging information technology" to include areas like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and 3D printing. Small businesses that use or seek to use these technologies would be affected. The SBA itself would also be affected by the new responsibilities and reporting requirements outlined in the bill. Introduced in the Senate in September 2020 by Senator Jeanne Shaheen and others, the bill was referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Its current status is "Introduced," meaning it has not yet advanced through the legislative process.
Has S. 4588 become law?
The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 4588. Check the latest action and official source below.
Who sponsored S. 4588?
S. 4588 was sponsored by Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH] (D-NH), with 5 cosponsors.
What's the latest action on S. 4588?
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. (16 Sep 2020).

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