Legis Daily

Northern Mariana Islands Small Business Access Act

USA119th CongressHR-3496| House 
| Updated: 1/26/2026
Kimberlyn King-Hinds

Kimberlyn King-Hinds

Republican Representative

Northern Mariana Islands

Cosponsors (3)
Gilbert Ray Cisneros (Democratic)Maggie Goodlander (Democratic)Herbert C. Conaway (Democratic)

Small Business Committee, Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill aims to expand access to vital financial resources for small businesses by amending the Small Business Act. Its primary provision extends eligibility for the Small Business Administration's microloan program to include the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. This ensures that small businesses in the territory can apply for and receive these crucial loans, fostering economic growth. Specifically, the legislation modifies Section 7(m)(7)(B) of the Small Business Act to explicitly list the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands as an eligible entity. A minor technical amendment is also made to Section 7(m)(11)(C)(ii) to refine program language, collectively enhancing financial support and providing much-needed capital to entrepreneurs in the Northern Mariana Islands.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
4 versions available

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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-2603
Northern Mariana Islands Small Business Act
May 19, 2025
Introduced in House
May 19, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
Nov 18, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Nov 18, 2025
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 27 - 0.
Dec 12, 2025
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 350.
Dec 12, 2025
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-402.
Jan 20, 2026
Mr. Williams (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Jan 20, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H929-930)
Jan 20, 2026
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3496.
Jan 20, 2026
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H929)
Jan 20, 2026
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Jan 20, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H929)
Jan 20, 2026
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jan 26, 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-2603
    Northern Mariana Islands Small Business Act


  • May 19, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • May 19, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.


  • November 18, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • November 18, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 27 - 0.


  • December 12, 2025
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 350.


  • December 12, 2025
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-402.


  • January 20, 2026
    Mr. Williams (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.


  • January 20, 2026
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H929-930)


  • January 20, 2026
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3496.


  • January 20, 2026
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H929)


  • January 20, 2026
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.


  • January 20, 2026
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H929)


  • January 20, 2026
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • January 26, 2026
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Commerce

Administrative remediesGovernment lending and loan guaranteesNorthern Mariana IslandsSmall businessSmall Business Administration

Northern Mariana Islands Small Business Access Act

USA119th CongressHR-3496| House 
| Updated: 1/26/2026
This bill aims to expand access to vital financial resources for small businesses by amending the Small Business Act. Its primary provision extends eligibility for the Small Business Administration's microloan program to include the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. This ensures that small businesses in the territory can apply for and receive these crucial loans, fostering economic growth. Specifically, the legislation modifies Section 7(m)(7)(B) of the Small Business Act to explicitly list the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands as an eligible entity. A minor technical amendment is also made to Section 7(m)(11)(C)(ii) to refine program language, collectively enhancing financial support and providing much-needed capital to entrepreneurs in the Northern Mariana Islands.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
4 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-2603
Northern Mariana Islands Small Business Act
May 19, 2025
Introduced in House
May 19, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
Nov 18, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Nov 18, 2025
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 27 - 0.
Dec 12, 2025
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 350.
Dec 12, 2025
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-402.
Jan 20, 2026
Mr. Williams (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Jan 20, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H929-930)
Jan 20, 2026
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3496.
Jan 20, 2026
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H929)
Jan 20, 2026
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Jan 20, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H929)
Jan 20, 2026
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jan 26, 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-2603
    Northern Mariana Islands Small Business Act


  • May 19, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • May 19, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.


  • November 18, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • November 18, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 27 - 0.


  • December 12, 2025
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 350.


  • December 12, 2025
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-402.


  • January 20, 2026
    Mr. Williams (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.


  • January 20, 2026
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H929-930)


  • January 20, 2026
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3496.


  • January 20, 2026
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H929)


  • January 20, 2026
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.


  • January 20, 2026
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H929)


  • January 20, 2026
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • January 26, 2026
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
Kimberlyn King-Hinds

Kimberlyn King-Hinds

Republican Representative

Northern Mariana Islands

Cosponsors (3)
Gilbert Ray Cisneros (Democratic)Maggie Goodlander (Democratic)Herbert C. Conaway (Democratic)

Small Business Committee, Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

Commerce

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative remediesGovernment lending and loan guaranteesNorthern Mariana IslandsSmall businessSmall Business Administration