Women’s Business Centers Improvement Act of 2026
Latest action (21 Jul 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
Here is a plain-English summary of H.R. 9818.
The bill would rewrite the Small Business Act's authorization for the Women's Business Center program, which funds nonprofit organizations, state and local economic development bodies, colleges, and state-chartered finance corporations to run centers that provide counseling and training to women-owned small businesses. It sets out detailed rules for how these centers are funded and overseen, including a $300,000 annual cap (adjusted for inflation) on initial five-year grants and unlimited five-year continuation grants, non-federal matching-fund requirements that phase in over time, options for the Small Business Administration to waive or allow carryover of matching funds, mandatory site visits and annual financial/programmatic examinations, an accreditation requirement for continued funding after two years, and formal procedures for correcting problems, appealing decisions, and terminating grants. It also requires the SBA to consult with a recognized Women's Business Center Association and to use public notice-and-comment rulemaking before changing program rules.
The bill primarily affects organizations that operate or seek to operate women's business centers, the SBA officials who administer the program, and, indirectly, women entrepreneurs and women-owned small businesses who rely on these centers for training, financial and marketing assistance, and management counseling.
The bill was introduced on July 21, 2026, by Rep. Hillary Scholten with a cosponsor, and referred to the House Committee on Small Business. It has not yet been voted on, and would need committee action, House and Senate passage, and the President's signature to become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on July 21, 2026. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 9818 do?
- Here is a plain-English summary of H.R. 9818. The bill would rewrite the Small Business Act's authorization for the Women's Business Center program, which funds nonprofit organizations, state and local economic development bodies, colleges, and state-chartered finance corporations to run centers that provide counseling and training to women-owned small businesses. It sets out detailed rules for how these centers are funded and overseen, including a $300,000 annual cap (adjusted for inflation) on initial five-year grants and unlimited five-year continuation grants, non-federal matching-fund requirements that phase in over time, options for the Small Business Administration to waive or allow carryover of matching funds, mandatory site visits and annual financial/programmatic examinations, an accreditation requirement for continued funding after two years, and formal procedures for correcting problems, appealing decisions, and terminating grants. It also requires the SBA to consult with a recognized Women's Business Center Association and to use public notice-and-comment rulemaking before changing program rules. The bill primarily affects organizations that operate or seek to operate women's business centers, the SBA officials who administer the program, and, indirectly, women entrepreneurs and women-owned small businesses who rely on these centers for training, financial and marketing assistance, and management counseling. The bill was introduced on July 21, 2026, by Rep. Hillary Scholten with a cosponsor, and referred to the House Committee on Small Business. It has not yet been voted on, and would need committee action, House and Senate passage, and the President's signature to become law.
- Has H.R. 9818 become law?
- Not yet. As of 21 Jul 2026, H.R. 9818 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 9818?
- H.R. 9818 was sponsored by Rep. Hillary Scholten [D-MI3] (Democrat-MI), with 2 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 9818?
- Introduced (21 Jul 2026).
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