21st Century Entrepreneurship Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8404
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Commerce
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-21: Referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, 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.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-19T08:06:07Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The 21st Century Entrepreneurship Act (H.R. 8404) aims to promote entrepreneurship education for disadvantaged youth by authorizing volunteers from the SCORE program (Service Corps of Retired Executives, a Small Business Administration initiative) to teach at community learning centers (after-school programs in schools serving low-income areas). It seeks to boost economic growth, job creation, and opportunities in underserved communities by leveraging experienced volunteer mentors.
Key Provisions
- Findings: Congress highlights entrepreneurship's role in job creation, economic growth, and improved quality of life; notes declining rates among disadvantaged youth; and emphasizes mentoring's benefits.
- Curriculum Development: The Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator, with SCORE, must create an entrepreneurship curriculum for volunteers, collaborating with educators, business groups, and organizations serving underrepresented children.
- Implementation Strategy: SBA, consulting the Secretary of Education, develops a plan to deliver the curriculum via community learning centers.
- Collaborations: Encourages SCORE volunteers to partner with SBA programs like small business development centers, women's business centers, and the Minority Business Development Agency.
- Reporting: SBA submits biennial reports to Congress detailing curriculum use, student reach, funding, barriers, and improvements (first report due 1 year after enactment).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Small Business Act Amendment (15 U.S.C. 637(b)(1)(B)): Adds explicit authority for SCORE volunteers to teach entrepreneurship at community learning centers.
- Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Amendments (20 U.S.C. 7171 et seq.):
- Expands allowable activities at community learning centers to include SCORE-led entrepreneurship education.
- Adds this education as a permitted use of funds under ESEA Part B.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases coordination between SBA and Department of Education; adds reporting and curriculum duties for SBA; expands SCORE's role without new funding specified.
- Citizens: Provides free entrepreneurship mentoring to students (especially from disadvantaged communities) at community learning centers, potentially increasing future business ownership, innovation, and economic mobility.
- International Relations: None apparent.
- Broader Economy: Could foster job growth and productivity in underserved areas through higher entrepreneurship rates.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- SCORE Volunteers: Gain new teaching opportunities at community centers.
- Disadvantaged Youth and Families: Primary beneficiaries via access to mentorship.
- Community Learning Centers and Schools: Expanded program offerings.
- SBA and Department of Education: Responsible for development, strategy, and oversight.
- Supporting Organizations: Small business development centers, women's business centers, and Minority Business Development Agency (encouraged to collaborate).
- Congress: Receives ongoing reports for oversight.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Straightforward amendments to existing statutes; no new funding authorized, relying on current appropriations; emphasizes volunteer efforts to minimize costs.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's commerce and spending powers; promotes equal opportunity without infringing rights.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (Democrat from Kansas and Republican from Pennsylvania); referred to Small Business and Education committees; focuses on non-controversial goals of economic development and youth education in underserved areas.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-21: Referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, 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.
- 2026-04-21: Referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, 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.
- 2026-04-21: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-21: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- 21st Century Entrepreneurship Act — issued 2026-04-21 — PDF (6 pages)