Legis Daily

Office of Rural Affairs Enhancement Act

USA119th CongressHR-4549| House 
| Updated: 12/2/2025
Maggie Goodlander

Maggie Goodlander

Democratic Representative

New Hampshire

Cosponsors (3)
Jared F. Golden (Democratic)Tony Wied (Republican)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)

Small Business Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Office of Rural Affairs Enhancement Act" strengthens the Small Business Administration's Office of Rural Affairs by clarifying its structure and expanding its duties. It mandates that the Office be led by an Assistant Administrator, appointed through the competitive service, who possesses specific expertise in rural affairs and small business development to effectively serve rural communities. The bill refines the Office's responsibilities, emphasizing the promotion of SBA and other federal programs to assist rural small business concerns , and requires the Assistant Administrator to host regular webinars and outreach events across the United States. These events will involve various stakeholders, including SBA district offices and resource partners, to better connect rural businesses with available support and information. Furthermore, the legislation establishes an annual reporting requirement for the Office of Rural Affairs. This report, submitted to Congress and made publicly available, must detail the Office's operational specifics, a summary of its activities, and an analysis of SBA lending programs' effectiveness in serving rural small businesses, thereby enhancing transparency and accountability.

Bill Text Versions

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4 versions available

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Timeline
Jul 21, 2025
Introduced in House
Jul 21, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
Jul 22, 2025
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 0.
Jul 22, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Aug 15, 2025
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 183.
Aug 15, 2025
Reported by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-225.
Dec 1, 2025
Mr. Williams (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Dec 1, 2025
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4916-4917)
Dec 1, 2025
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4549.
Dec 1, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4916-4917)
Dec 1, 2025
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4916-4917)
Dec 1, 2025
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Dec 2, 2025
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 282.
  • July 21, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • July 21, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.


  • July 22, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 0.


  • July 22, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • August 15, 2025
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 183.


  • August 15, 2025
    Reported by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-225.


  • December 1, 2025
    Mr. Williams (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.


  • December 1, 2025
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4916-4917)


  • December 1, 2025
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4549.


  • December 1, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4916-4917)


  • December 1, 2025
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4916-4917)


  • December 1, 2025
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • December 2, 2025
    Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 282.

Commerce

Congressional oversightFederal officialsRural conditions and developmentSmall business

Office of Rural Affairs Enhancement Act

USA119th CongressHR-4549| House 
| Updated: 12/2/2025
The "Office of Rural Affairs Enhancement Act" strengthens the Small Business Administration's Office of Rural Affairs by clarifying its structure and expanding its duties. It mandates that the Office be led by an Assistant Administrator, appointed through the competitive service, who possesses specific expertise in rural affairs and small business development to effectively serve rural communities. The bill refines the Office's responsibilities, emphasizing the promotion of SBA and other federal programs to assist rural small business concerns , and requires the Assistant Administrator to host regular webinars and outreach events across the United States. These events will involve various stakeholders, including SBA district offices and resource partners, to better connect rural businesses with available support and information. Furthermore, the legislation establishes an annual reporting requirement for the Office of Rural Affairs. This report, submitted to Congress and made publicly available, must detail the Office's operational specifics, a summary of its activities, and an analysis of SBA lending programs' effectiveness in serving rural small businesses, thereby enhancing transparency and accountability.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
4 versions available

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
Jul 21, 2025
Introduced in House
Jul 21, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
Jul 22, 2025
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 0.
Jul 22, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Aug 15, 2025
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 183.
Aug 15, 2025
Reported by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-225.
Dec 1, 2025
Mr. Williams (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Dec 1, 2025
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4916-4917)
Dec 1, 2025
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4549.
Dec 1, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4916-4917)
Dec 1, 2025
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4916-4917)
Dec 1, 2025
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Dec 2, 2025
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 282.
  • July 21, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • July 21, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.


  • July 22, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 0.


  • July 22, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • August 15, 2025
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 183.


  • August 15, 2025
    Reported by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-225.


  • December 1, 2025
    Mr. Williams (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.


  • December 1, 2025
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4916-4917)


  • December 1, 2025
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4549.


  • December 1, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4916-4917)


  • December 1, 2025
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4916-4917)


  • December 1, 2025
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • December 2, 2025
    Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 282.
Maggie Goodlander

Maggie Goodlander

Democratic Representative

New Hampshire

Cosponsors (3)
Jared F. Golden (Democratic)Tony Wied (Republican)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)

Small Business Committee

Commerce

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Congressional oversightFederal officialsRural conditions and developmentSmall business