DOE and SBA Research Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 788
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Commerce
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-26: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-11T11:08:25Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The DOE and SBA Research Act (H.R. 788) aims to foster collaboration between the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) through joint research and development (R&D) activities. It seeks to align their missions by advancing shared priorities, such as innovation and technical capabilities, while ensuring small businesses participate where appropriate.
Key Provisions
- Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or Agreement: The Secretary of Energy and the SBA Administrator must enter into one or more MOUs or similar agreements to coordinate cross-cutting R&D efforts that support both agencies' goals.
- Inclusion of Small Businesses: Activities must involve small business concerns (defined under the Small Business Act as independently owned and operated businesses that are not dominant in their field and meet size standards) as suitable.
- Reimbursable Agreements and Collaboration: The agencies may use reimbursable agreements (where one party pays the other for services) with each other or external entities to improve R&D efficiency. They can also partner with other federal agencies.
- Reporting Requirement: Within two years of enactment, the agencies must submit a report to Congress detailing coordination efforts, opportunities to expand technical capabilities, research achievements, future collaboration areas, and plans for ongoing coordination.
- Research Security Compliance: All activities must follow existing federal research security standards under the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (which addresses risks like foreign influence in sensitive research).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This act introduces a new formal framework for DOE-SBA collaboration, which was not previously mandated. It builds on existing laws like the Small Business Act but does not amend them directly; instead, it creates a structured process for joint R&D without requiring new funding. It also ties activities to current research security rules, potentially strengthening oversight in collaborative projects.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Enhances DOE's and SBA's technical and innovative capacities through shared resources, potentially leading to more efficient use of existing budgets. The report could guide future policy expansions.
- On Citizens: Benefits small business owners and entrepreneurs by increasing their involvement in federal R&D, which may spur innovation in energy, technology, and economic development sectors. No direct impacts on the general public are outlined.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct effects, though adherence to research security could indirectly protect U.S. interests in global technology competitions by safeguarding sensitive information.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Department of Energy (DOE): Leads in energy-related R&D and must coordinate with SBA.
- Small Business Administration (SBA): Focuses on supporting small businesses and will integrate them into DOE-led activities.
- Small Businesses: Gain opportunities to participate in federal R&D, potentially accessing funding, expertise, and contracts.
- Congress: Receives oversight through the required report and ensures no additional taxpayer funds are needed (via compliance with the Congressional Budget Office's "CUTGO" rule, which prevents deficit increases from unfunded mandates).
- Other Federal Agencies: May collaborate, broadening inter-agency efficiency.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The act emphasizes voluntary and reimbursable arrangements, avoiding new mandates that could strain agency resources. Compliance with existing security laws (e.g., protecting against intellectual property theft) reinforces federal research integrity without creating new regulatory burdens.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority under Article I to regulate commerce and promote science/progress by facilitating inter-agency cooperation, without infringing on executive branch operations.
- Political: Promotes bipartisan goals of economic growth and innovation by leveraging existing budgets (no new appropriations authorized), potentially appealing to stakeholders interested in small business support and energy independence. The two-year report provides a mechanism for congressional accountability.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Morrison, Kelly [D-MN-3], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2]
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-26: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2025-02-25: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-02-25: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 427 - 3 (Roll no. 48). (text: 2/24/2025 CR H742) (Roll call 48)
- 2025-02-25: 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): 427 - 3 (Roll no. 48). (text: 2/24/2025 CR H742) (Roll call 48)
- 2025-02-25: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H823-824)
- 2025-02-24: 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.
- 2025-02-24: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 788.
- 2025-02-24: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H742-743)
- 2025-02-24: Mr. Williams (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 2025-01-28: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Small Business, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-01-28: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Small Business, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-01-28: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-28: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- DOE and SBA Research Act — issued 2025-02-25 — PDF (6 pages)
- DOE and SBA Research Act — issued 2025-01-28 — PDF (4 pages)
- DOE and SBA Research Act — issued 2025-02-25 — PDF (4 pages)