What This Bill Does · Plain English
Summary · Congress.gov
Assisting Small Businesses Not Fraudsters Act This bill prohibits individuals convicted of certain financial crimes from receiving assistance from the Small Business Administration (SBA). Specifically, the bill prohibits individuals who have been convicted of a crime involving financial misconduct or a false statement with respect to certain COVID-19 loans (e.g., Paycheck Protection Program loans, Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants, and Shuttered Venue Operators grants) from receiving any financial assistance from the SBA (other than a disaster loan). The prohibition includes SBA assistance to small businesses that have an owner, officer, director, or key employee who has been convicted of such a crime.
Vote Breakdown · How Congress voted on HR.825
House
405-0
PASSED
Independents
405 yea
0 nay
Action Timeline
2025-02-25
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
2025-02-24
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 - 0 (Roll no. 43). (text: CR H737)
2025-02-24
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 - 0 (Roll no. 43). (text: CR H737)
2025-02-24
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H748)
2025-02-24
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
2025-02-24
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 825.
2025-02-24
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H737-739)
2025-02-24
Mr. Williams (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
2025-02-24
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2025-01-28
Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did HR.825 pass?
HR.825 is still alive. Current stage: PASSED_ONE. Pass likelihood: 35%.
What does HR.825 do?
Assisting Small Businesses Not Fraudsters Act This bill prohibits individuals convicted of certain financial crimes from receiving assistance from the Small Business Administration (SBA). Specifically, the bill prohibits individuals who have been convicted of a crime involving financial misconduct or a false statement with respect to certain COVID-19 loans (e.g., Paycheck Protection Program loans, Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants, and Shuttered Venue Operators grants) from receiving any financial assistance from the SBA (other than a disaster loan). The prohibition includes SBA assistance…
Who sponsored HR.825?
HR.825 was sponsored by Roger Williams (R-Texas).
Full Bill Text
119 HR 825 EH: Assisting Small Businesses Not Fraudsters Act U.S. House of Representatives text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 825 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To prohibit individuals convicted of defrauding the Government from receiving any assistance from the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Assisting Small Businesses Not Fraudsters Act . 2. Assistance prohibited after fraud conviction (a) In general Section 16 of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 645 ) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (h) Financial assistance prohibition (1) In general An associate of a small business concern who is finally convicted of any crime involving or relating to financial misconduct or a false statement with respect to a covered loan or grant shall be ineligible to receive any financial assistance from the Administrator, other than financial assistance under section 7(b). (2) Business concerns A small business concern that has as an associate an individual subject to paragraph (1) shall be ineligible to receive any financial assistance from the Administrator, other than financial assistance under section 7(b). (3) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Associate The term associate means, with respect to a small business concern— (i) an officer, director, or owner of more than 20 percent of the equity of, or a key employee of, such small business concern; (ii) any entity not less than 20 percent owned or controlled by one or more individuals referred to in clause (i); and (iii) any other individual or entity in control of or controlled by such small business concern, except for a licensed small business investment company (as defined in section 103(3) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 ( 15 U.S.C. 662(3) )). (B) Covered loan or grant The term covered loan or grant means— (i) a loan made under— (I) paragraph (36) or (37) of subsection (a) of section 7; or (II) subsection (b) of such section in response to the COVID–19 pandemic; or (ii) a grant made under— (I) section 5003 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 ( 15 U.S.C. 9009c ); or (II) section 324 of the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9009a ). (C) Finally convicted The term finally convicted means, with respect to a person, that such person has been convicted of an offense and such conviction— (i) has not been appealed and is no longer appealable because the time for taking an appeal has expired; or (ii) has been appealed and the appeals process for such conviction is completed. . (b) Applicability Subsection (h) of section 16 of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 645 ), as added by subsection (a) of this Act, shall not apply to any contract or other agreement entered into by the Government prior to the date of the enactment of this Act. Passed the House of Representatives February 24, 2025. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.
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