DOE and SBA Research Act (H.R. 788)
January 28, 2025
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Where This Stands
Currently in_committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →The Frame
This bill establishes a framework for the DOE and SBA to share research resources and mandates the inclusion of small businesses in federal energy-related innovation projects without authorizing new federal spending.
Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.
Small business owners
Small businesses are explicitly identified as participants in the joint research and development activities coordinated by the DOE and SBA.
Department of Energy
The agency is mandated to enter into agreements with the SBA and report to Congress on collaborative research outcomes.
Small Business Administration
The agency is mandated to enter into agreements with the DOE and coordinate research activities involving small businesses.
Current stage: in_committee.
Floor Vote.
Summary
Key Facts
- The Secretary of Energy and the SBA Administrator must enter into a memorandum of understanding to coordinate joint research and development activities.
- The agencies are required to include small business concerns in these research activities.
- The bill explicitly prohibits the authorization of any additional federal appropriations to carry out these activities (CUTGO compliance).
- The agencies are authorized to enter into reimbursable agreements with each other and other entities to maximize research effectiveness.
- The agencies may collaborate with other federal agencies as appropriate.
- A report must be submitted to Congress no later than two years after the Act's enactment.
- The required report must cover coordination efforts, technical capability expansion, research achievements, future opportunities, and ongoing collaboration plans.
- All research activities must comply with the research security requirements established in the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (Public Law 117-167).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this bill provide new funding for research?
How are small businesses involved?
When will we know if this partnership is working?
Why It Matters
This bill establishes a framework for the DOE and SBA to share research resources and mandates the inclusion of small businesses in federal energy-related innovation projects without authorizing new federal spending.
News Coverage
Voting Record
Total
430
Yes
427
No
3
Present
0
Not Voting
0
Abstain
0
How they voted (430)
Max Miller
R · yes
John Carter
R · yes
Jennifer Kiggans
R · yes
Tim Walberg
R · yes
Nanette Barragán
D · yes
Mark Alford
R · yes
Eric Crawford
R · yes
Ryan Zinke
R · yes
Austin Scott
R · yes
Pat Harrigan
R · yes
Brian Mast
R · yes
Mary Miller
R · yes
Michael Cloud
R · yes
Eugene Vindman
D · yes
Bryan Steil
R · yes
Nathaniel Moran
R · yes
Gary Palmer
R · yes
Jared Huffman
D · yes
Lloyd Doggett
D · yes
Bennie Thompson
D · yes
Shri Thanedar
D · yes
Earl Carter
R · yes
Dave Min
D · yes
Mike Ezell
R · yes
+ 406 more
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Zero-Budget Mandate
The bill mandates new inter-agency administrative and research coordination while explicitly prohibiting new appropriations, reflecting a 'do more with existing resources' policy approach.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.congress.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance40How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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