Small Business Disaster Coordination Act

Full Title:
Small Business Disaster Coordination Act

Summary#

This bill amends the Small Business Act and the Small Business Disaster Response and Loan Improvements Act of 2008. It lets the Small Business Administration (SBA) authorize its resource partners to give advice, information, and assistance to small businesses that are outside the partners’ normal service area after a disaster. That outside assistance must be coordinated with the resource partner that serves the affected area. The bill sets a general limit of 2 years for such assistance after a disaster, but allows the SBA Administrator to extend that period. It also asks resource partners to try to maintain continuity of their usual services and allows their personnel to use SBA-designated sites or facilities to provide disaster help. In addition, the bill requires the SBA to include links to resource partner websites in disaster loan information, to share disaster loan information with resource partners so they can help spread awareness, and to include resource partners in disaster planning activities.

What it means for you#

  • If your small business is in an area declared a disaster, SBA resource partners outside your area may be authorized to provide help and advice, as long as they coordinate with the local partner.
  • Assistance provided under this rule is generally available for up to 2 years after a disaster, with possible extensions by the SBA Administrator.
  • The SBA will share disaster loan information with resource partners and include links to their websites to help reach applicants.
  • Resource partner staff may be allowed to use SBA-designated sites to meet with and assist business owners.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on costs or budgetary effects is included in the bill text or the provided metadata.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information on proponents’ stated reasons, detailed arguments, or expected benefits appears in the bill text or the provided metadata.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information on opposition, objections, or expected harms appears in the bill text or the provided metadata.