HR-5236 : Still Just a Bill

Main Street Employee Ownership Act of 2018

This bill amends the Small Business Act to expand the authority of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to guarantee loans for qualified employee trusts of a small business to purchase the stock of that business. Specifically, the bill allows the guaranteed loan to also cover transactions costs associated with purchasing the stock. In addition, it allows loans to a small business to be guaranteed if the loan proceeds will: (1) be used to provide loans to a qualified employee trust of the small business to purchase the business's stock; and (2) result in the trust owning at least 51% of the business's stock. The SBA must guarantee loans to cooperatives in which employees are eligible for membership for such stock purchases.

The SBA shall establish: (1) an outreach program with licensed small business investment companies to increase investment in transitions to employee-owned businesses, and (2) a Small Business Employee Ownership and Cooperative Promotion Program to offer technical assistance and training on the transition to employee ownership through cooperatives and qualified employee trusts.

The Administrator of the SBA shall coordinate an interagency working group on employee-owned businesses.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2018-05-09IntroReferralReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.Senate
2018-05-08FloorMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
2018-05-08FloorOn motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text CR H3810-3811)House floor actions
2018-05-08FloorDEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5236.House floor actions
2018-05-08FloorConsidered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3810-3812)House floor actions
2018-05-08FloorMr. Chabot moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.House floor actions
2018-04-24CalendarsPlaced on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 494.House floor actions
2018-04-24CommitteeReported (Amended) by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 115-645.House floor actions
2018-03-14CommitteeOrdered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.House committee actions
2018-03-14CommitteeCommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.House committee actions
2018-03-08IntroReferralReferred to the House Committee on Small Business.House floor actions
2018-03-08IntroReferralIntroduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Sponsor :

Rep. Velazquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7]
See Cosponsors

Policy Area :

Commerce
See Subjects
  • Business education
  • Business investment and capital
  • Congressional oversight
  • Employee benefits and pensions
  • Government lending and loan guarantees
  • Government studies and investigations
  • Minority and disadvantaged businesses
  • Securities
  • Small business

Related Bills

See Related Bills