AI for Main Street Act

Bill Number

H.R. 5764

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Commerce

Status

Passed House

Latest Action

2026-01-26: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Last Updated

2026-06-11T05:06:21Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "AI for Main Street Act" (H.R. 5764) aims to support small businesses in adopting artificial intelligence (AI) by requiring Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)—government-funded organizations that provide free counseling and training to small businesses—to offer specific assistance on AI use. This helps small businesses integrate AI into their operations to improve efficiency, security, and compliance without authorizing new federal funding.

Key Provisions

• Assistance Requirements for SBDCs: SBDCs must help small businesses evaluate and use AI in their operations. This includes:
• Providing information, guidance, and training on AI best practices.
• Advising on using AI for planning during unexpected events, protecting data and intellectual property (ideas or inventions owned by the business), enhancing cybersecurity (online security measures), ensuring regulatory compliance (following laws and rules), and building customer trust.
• Offering ways to incorporate AI into daily business activities.
• Outreach Efforts: SBDCs are required to conduct practical outreach to inform small businesses about AI opportunities.
• Definition of AI: The Act adopts the definition of "artificial intelligence" from the 2020 National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act, which broadly covers systems that perform tasks requiring human-like intelligence, such as learning or decision-making.
• No New Funding: The legislation complies with the Congressional Budget Office's guidelines (CUTGO) by not authorizing any additional federal money to implement these changes.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends Section 21(c)(3) of the Small Business Act (a 1950s law that funds and outlines SBDC services) by adding a new requirement (subparagraph W) for AI assistance, building on existing duties like business planning and patent training.
• Adds a new subsection to Section 3 of the Small Business Act to define "artificial intelligence" for consistency across the law.
• These are minor structural tweaks (e.g., redesignating subparagraphs) to insert the new AI focus without altering core SBDC operations.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Small Business Administration (SBA), which oversees SBDCs, will need to integrate AI guidance into existing programs using current resources, potentially straining budgets but avoiding new spending.
• On Citizens: Small business owners gain free access to AI training and advice, which could help them compete with larger companies, innovate, and handle challenges like data security or economic disruptions.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it indirectly supports U.S. small businesses in global markets by promoting AI adoption, which could enhance economic competitiveness.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Small Businesses: Primary beneficiaries, as they receive targeted AI support to modernize operations.
• Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs): Must expand services to include AI, affecting over 900 centers nationwide that serve millions of entrepreneurs.
• Small Business Administration (SBA): Responsible for guiding SBDCs on implementation.
• Entrepreneurs and Innovators: Those developing or using AI tools may see increased demand for related services.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens the Small Business Act's focus on emerging technologies without creating new mandates that require rulemaking or litigation; relies on existing SBA authority.
• Constitutional: No apparent issues, as it involves federal spending and support for interstate commerce (small businesses), aligning with Congress's powers under Article I.
• Political: Promotes bipartisan interest in AI and small business growth; the no-new-funding clause appeals to fiscal conservatives while addressing technology access for underserved entrepreneurs, potentially influencing future AI policy debates.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Alford, Mark [R-MO-4]

Cosponsors (4)

Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31]

Recent Actions

• 2026-01-26: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
• 2026-01-20: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
• 2026-01-20: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 395 - 14 (Roll no. 33). (text: CR H931) (Roll call 33)
• 2026-01-20: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 395 - 14 (Roll no. 33). (text: CR H931) (Roll call 33)
• 2026-01-20: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H940)
• 2026-01-20: 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.
• 2026-01-20: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5764.
• 2026-01-20: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H931-932)
• 2026-01-20: Mr. Williams (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
• 2025-12-12: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 351.
• 2025-12-12: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-403.
• 2025-12-12: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-403.
• 2025-11-18: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 27 - 0.
• 2025-11-18: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2025-10-17: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.

Bill Versions

• AI for Main Street Act — issued 2026-01-20 — PDF (6 pages)
• AI for Mainstreet Act — issued 2025-10-17 — PDF (3 pages)
• AI for Main Street Act — issued 2026-01-26 — PDF (4 pages)
• AI for Main Street Act — issued 2025-12-12 — PDF (6 pages)

Related Bills

• S. 3586 (119th Congress)