Legis Daily

Expanding the Surety Bond Program Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-2232| Senate 
| Updated: 7/30/2025
Edward J. Markey

Edward J. Markey

Democratic Senator

Massachusetts

Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation, titled the "Expanding the Surety Bond Program Act of 2025," significantly increases the maximum bond guarantee amount available through the Small Business Administration's surety bond program. The bill raises the limit from the current $6,500,000 to $18,000,000 , aiming to provide greater bonding capacity for small businesses. However, it introduces a new provision where this maximum amount will be temporarily reduced by 33 percent if the Administrator formally requests supplemental funds from Congress. This reduction would last for a specified period, either 12 months after the request or 150 days after funds are provided and the Administrator attests to sufficient fee collection. The bill also implements several changes to the program's administration and oversight. It establishes a cap, limiting administrative expenses from the program's revolving fund to not more than 2 percent of the fund's balance at the start of each fiscal year. Furthermore, the Administrator is now required to provide written notification to specific Congressional committees when supplemental funding is deemed necessary for the Surety Bond Program. These measures aim to enhance fiscal responsibility and transparency within the program. To ensure ongoing accountability, the legislation mandates new reporting requirements. The Small Business Administration must submit an annual report to Congress detailing the program's status, activities, and the financial health of its revolving fund, including information on guarantees, claims paid, and administrative expenses. Additionally, the bill directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a one-time report within 270 days of enactment, evaluating the SBA's applicant approval processes and recommending improvements for program efficiency and paperwork reduction.

Bill Text Versions

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2 versions available

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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2206
Expanding the Surety Bond Program Act
Jul 9, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jul 9, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
Jul 16, 2025
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Jul 30, 2025
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Reported by Senator Ernst with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Jul 30, 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 135.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2206
    Expanding the Surety Bond Program Act


  • July 9, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 9, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.


  • July 16, 2025
    Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • July 30, 2025
    Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Reported by Senator Ernst with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • July 30, 2025
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 135.

Commerce

Administrative remediesCongressional oversightGovernment lending and loan guaranteesGovernment studies and investigationsSmall businessSmall Business Administration

Expanding the Surety Bond Program Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-2232| Senate 
| Updated: 7/30/2025
This legislation, titled the "Expanding the Surety Bond Program Act of 2025," significantly increases the maximum bond guarantee amount available through the Small Business Administration's surety bond program. The bill raises the limit from the current $6,500,000 to $18,000,000 , aiming to provide greater bonding capacity for small businesses. However, it introduces a new provision where this maximum amount will be temporarily reduced by 33 percent if the Administrator formally requests supplemental funds from Congress. This reduction would last for a specified period, either 12 months after the request or 150 days after funds are provided and the Administrator attests to sufficient fee collection. The bill also implements several changes to the program's administration and oversight. It establishes a cap, limiting administrative expenses from the program's revolving fund to not more than 2 percent of the fund's balance at the start of each fiscal year. Furthermore, the Administrator is now required to provide written notification to specific Congressional committees when supplemental funding is deemed necessary for the Surety Bond Program. These measures aim to enhance fiscal responsibility and transparency within the program. To ensure ongoing accountability, the legislation mandates new reporting requirements. The Small Business Administration must submit an annual report to Congress detailing the program's status, activities, and the financial health of its revolving fund, including information on guarantees, claims paid, and administrative expenses. Additionally, the bill directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a one-time report within 270 days of enactment, evaluating the SBA's applicant approval processes and recommending improvements for program efficiency and paperwork reduction.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2206
Expanding the Surety Bond Program Act
Jul 9, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jul 9, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
Jul 16, 2025
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Jul 30, 2025
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Reported by Senator Ernst with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Jul 30, 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 135.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2206
    Expanding the Surety Bond Program Act


  • July 9, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 9, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.


  • July 16, 2025
    Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • July 30, 2025
    Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Reported by Senator Ernst with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • July 30, 2025
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 135.
Edward J. Markey

Edward J. Markey

Democratic Senator

Massachusetts

Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

Commerce

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative remediesCongressional oversightGovernment lending and loan guaranteesGovernment studies and investigationsSmall businessSmall Business Administration