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Expanding Opportunities for Diverse Entrepreneurs Act

12/15/2023, 3:56 PM

Summary of Bill HR 2485

Bill 118 hr 2485, also known as the Expanding Opportunities for Diverse Entrepreneurs Act, aims to support and promote diversity in entrepreneurship in the United States. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on April 13, 2021, by Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson from Texas.

The main goal of this legislation is to provide resources and assistance to entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities, including women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. The bill seeks to address the disparities in access to capital, resources, and opportunities that these entrepreneurs often face.

Specifically, the Expanding Opportunities for Diverse Entrepreneurs Act would establish a grant program to provide funding for organizations that support diverse entrepreneurs. These organizations would offer training, mentorship, networking opportunities, and other resources to help these entrepreneurs succeed in starting and growing their businesses. Additionally, the bill would require the Small Business Administration (SBA) to collect data on the participation of diverse entrepreneurs in federal contracting programs. This data would help identify any barriers or challenges that these entrepreneurs may face in accessing government contracts and opportunities. Overall, the Expanding Opportunities for Diverse Entrepreneurs Act aims to level the playing field for entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities and ensure that they have the support and resources they need to thrive in the business world. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process and has not yet been voted on by the House of Representatives.

Congressional Summary of HR 2485

Expanding Opportunities for Diverse Entrepreneurs Act

This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program and recipients of assistance from the program to analyze and report on the program. The DBE program seeks to offer small disadvantaged businesses (i.e., certified as owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals) a fair opportunity to compete for federally funded transportation contracts.

The bill requires

  • the DBE liaison officers to track and provide an analysis of all efforts to expand knowledge of services and opportunities available (e.g., minimum outreach, training, and online development support) to non-certified and certified DBEs to increase an enterprise's ability to compete for, and perform on, federally funded transportation contracts;
  • DOT to publicly post online a searchable and exportable version of the Uniform Report of DBE Awards/ Commitments and Payments for each state; and
  • DOT to submit an annual report to Congress on the DBE program.

Current Status of Bill HR 2485

Bill HR 2485 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since April 6, 2023. Bill HR 2485 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the House on April 6, 2023.  Bill HR 2485's most recent activity was Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials. as of April 7, 2023

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 2485

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
1
Republican Sponsors
0
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
20
Democrat Cosponsors
20
Republican Cosponsors
0
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 2485

Primary Policy Focus

Transportation and Public Works

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 2485

Expanding Opportunities for Diverse Entrepreneurs Act
Expanding Opportunities for Diverse Entrepreneurs Act
To require certain recipients of funds for disadvantaged business enterprises to provide an analysis of efforts to expand opportunities available to disadvantaged business enterprises to participate in the DBE program.

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