Connecting Small Businesses with Career and Technical Education Graduates Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 1642

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Commerce

Status

Passed House

Latest Action

2025-06-04: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Last Updated

2026-07-10T20:08:23Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Connecting Small Businesses with Career and Technical Education Graduates Act of 2025" aims to bridge the gap between small businesses and graduates of career and technical education (CTE) programs. CTE refers to educational programs that prepare students for skilled trades, technical jobs, or apprenticeships, as defined in the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006. The legislation encourages small businesses to hire these graduates and helps CTE students access resources to start or grow their own businesses.

Key Provisions

• Definition Addition: Adds a new definition of "career and technical education" to Section 3 of the Small Business Act, linking it to the Perkins Act for clarity.
• Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs): Requires SBDCs—government-funded centers that provide free counseling and training to small businesses—to:
• Offer educational information to small businesses on hiring CTE graduates and using relevant CTE programs to meet hiring needs.
• Share details with CTE programs about how their students and graduates can use SBDC resources to launch or expand small businesses.
• Connect small businesses with CTE programs to help students and graduates find career opportunities.
• Women's Business Centers (WBCs): Applies similar requirements to WBCs, which support women-owned businesses, focusing on:
• Educating women-owned small businesses about hiring CTE graduates and leveraging CTE programs for workforce needs.
• Informing CTE programs about WBC resources for women students and graduates interested in entrepreneurship.
• Linking women-owned businesses with CTE programs for career placement assistance.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.) by inserting new subsections, subparagraphs, and paragraphs into Sections 21(c)(3) for SBDCs and 29(b) for WBCs.
• These changes expand the mandatory services of SBDCs and WBCs beyond their current focus on general business counseling, training, and intellectual property, without altering funding or operational structures.
• Redesignates some existing provisions (e.g., turning a subparagraph on intellectual property into (V)) to accommodate the new additions, ensuring continuity.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Small Business Administration (SBA), which oversees SBDCs and WBCs, may need to update training materials and partnerships, potentially increasing administrative workload but without new funding mandates.
• On Citizens: Small business owners, particularly women entrepreneurs, gain easier access to skilled CTE graduates for hiring, addressing workforce shortages. CTE students and graduates benefit from better connections to business resources, supporting job placement and self-employment.
• On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic education and business development.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Small Businesses: Especially women-owned ones, who receive targeted guidance on hiring and partnerships.
• CTE Programs and Participants: Community colleges, vocational schools, and their students/graduates, who get improved access to SBA services and job opportunities.
• SBDCs and WBCs: Must incorporate new outreach and connection activities into their programs.
• SBA: Oversees implementation, potentially fostering stronger ties between education and economic development.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens the Small Business Act's role in workforce integration without creating new enforcement mechanisms or penalties, relying on existing SBA grant conditions for compliance.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority under the Commerce Clause to regulate interstate business and education; no apparent conflicts with free speech, equal protection, or federalism principles.
• Political: Promotes bipartisan goals of small business support and vocational education, potentially appealing to rural and urban districts by addressing skills gaps and entrepreneurship for underrepresented groups like women and CTE learners. No major controversies, as it builds on established programs.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Williams, Roger [R-TX-25]

Cosponsors (5)

Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2], Rep. Bresnahan, Robert [R-PA-8], Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45], Rep. Wied, Tony [R-WI-8], Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2]

Recent Actions

• 2025-06-04: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
• 2025-06-03: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
• 2025-06-03: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 396 - 5 (Roll no. 146). (text: CR H2392) (Roll call 146)
• 2025-06-03: 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): 396 - 5 (Roll no. 146). (text: CR H2392) (Roll call 146)
• 2025-06-03: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2402-2403)
• 2025-06-03: 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.
• 2025-06-03: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1642.
• 2025-06-03: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2392-2393)
• 2025-06-03: Mr. Williams (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
• 2025-03-24: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 25.
• 2025-03-24: Reported by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-36.
• 2025-03-24: Reported by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-36.
• 2025-03-05: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 0.
• 2025-03-05: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2025-02-26: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.

Bill Versions

• Connecting Small Businesses with Career and Technical Education Graduates Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-03 — PDF (6 pages)
• Connecting Small Businesses with Career and Technical Education Graduates Act of 2025 — issued 2025-02-26 — PDF (4 pages)
• Connecting Small Businesses with Career and Technical Education Graduates Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-04 — PDF (5 pages)
• Connecting Small Businesses with Career and Technical Education Graduates Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-24 — PDF (8 pages)