The "Returning SBA to Main Street Act" directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to relocate at least 30 percent of its headquarters employees from the Washington metropolitan area to offices in other regions within one year of the Act's enactment. This significant relocation is contingent upon the Administrator determining that such a move will demonstrably reduce costs for the Federal Government, a determination that must be explained in detail to Congress. When determining new duty stations, the Administrator must prioritize geographic diversity , including consideration of rural markets , and ensure adequate staffing to promote in-person customer service throughout the SBA's regions. Employees whose permanent duty stations are changed will have their pay calculated based on the pay locality of their new assignment and will not be authorized to telework on a full-time basis. An exception to relocation and full-time telework restrictions is made for employees with disabilities who require full-time telework as a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. In conjunction with employee relocation, the bill mandates a reduction of at least 30 percent in the SBA's headquarters office space, to be completed within two years. The Administrator must submit a report to Congress within 180 days, detailing the number of eligible employees, those subject to exceptions, and the comprehensive plan for implementing the relocation and office space reduction. This report will also outline the impact on full-time teleworkers who remain in the Washington metropolitan area but are not relocated, as they will lose full-time telework authorization. The Act specifies that no relocation incentives will be paid to employees whose official worksite changes due to these provisions. Furthermore, future budget justification materials submitted to Congress must include detailed information on employee numbers at headquarters, field offices, and those engaged in full-time telework, including those with disability accommodations. The bill includes standard legal clauses for severability and supersession of other laws or collective bargaining agreements, and explicitly states that it does not establish a private cause of action to challenge any decisions made under its authority.
Administrative remediesCommutingGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementRural conditions and developmentSmall Business AdministrationWages and earnings
Returning SBA to Main Street Act
USA119th CongressS-298| Senate
| Updated: 3/4/2025
The "Returning SBA to Main Street Act" directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to relocate at least 30 percent of its headquarters employees from the Washington metropolitan area to offices in other regions within one year of the Act's enactment. This significant relocation is contingent upon the Administrator determining that such a move will demonstrably reduce costs for the Federal Government, a determination that must be explained in detail to Congress. When determining new duty stations, the Administrator must prioritize geographic diversity , including consideration of rural markets , and ensure adequate staffing to promote in-person customer service throughout the SBA's regions. Employees whose permanent duty stations are changed will have their pay calculated based on the pay locality of their new assignment and will not be authorized to telework on a full-time basis. An exception to relocation and full-time telework restrictions is made for employees with disabilities who require full-time telework as a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. In conjunction with employee relocation, the bill mandates a reduction of at least 30 percent in the SBA's headquarters office space, to be completed within two years. The Administrator must submit a report to Congress within 180 days, detailing the number of eligible employees, those subject to exceptions, and the comprehensive plan for implementing the relocation and office space reduction. This report will also outline the impact on full-time teleworkers who remain in the Washington metropolitan area but are not relocated, as they will lose full-time telework authorization. The Act specifies that no relocation incentives will be paid to employees whose official worksite changes due to these provisions. Furthermore, future budget justification materials submitted to Congress must include detailed information on employee numbers at headquarters, field offices, and those engaged in full-time telework, including those with disability accommodations. The bill includes standard legal clauses for severability and supersession of other laws or collective bargaining agreements, and explicitly states that it does not establish a private cause of action to challenge any decisions made under its authority.
Administrative remediesCommutingGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementRural conditions and developmentSmall Business AdministrationWages and earnings