Create an account to record your position, submit testimony, or contact your legislator.
Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
Introduced
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became Law
Overview
The Commonsense Legislating Act addresses several key areas through a series of amendments to existing laws. It extends the Federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, provides assistance to small businesses applying for these programs, and aims to increase participation from minority and Hispanic-serving institutions. The bill also includes provisions to support Native American tourism, expand eligibility for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit to spouses of military personnel, and establish an interagency task force to address working families’ challenges. Finally, it modifies regulations related to conflicts of interest for members of Congress.
Key provisions
Extends the period for the Federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Technology Transfer (STTR) programs to September 30, 2030.
Provides assistance to small businesses applying for SBIR and STTR programs, particularly focusing on increasing participation from States with historically low awards.
Requires enhanced outreach efforts by the Administration to increase the participation of researchers at minority and Hispanic-serving institutions in SBIR and STTR programs.
Amends the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act to provide grants to Indian tribes and tribal organizations.
Expands eligibility for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit to spouses of military personnel.
Establishes an Interagency National Task Force on Working Families to examine challenges and develop recommendations for improving the standard of living for working families.
Bill text
Read the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
Modifies House Rules to prohibit members of Congress from serving as officers or directors of public companies.
Appropriates funds for various departments and agencies, including the NIH, SBA, Department of Defense, and Department of the Interior, for specific programs and initiatives.
Who is affected
Small businesses
Researchers at minority and Hispanic-serving institutions
Indian tribes and tribal organizations
Military personnel and their spouses
Members of Congress
Notable changes
Extends the SBIR and STTR programs for a significant period (until 2030).
Mandates increased outreach to minority and Hispanic-serving institutions in SBIR and STTR programs.
Creates a new grant program for Native American tourism.
Expands the Work Opportunity Tax Credit to include spouses of military personnel.
Establishes a new interagency task force to address working families’ needs.
Fiscal impact
The bill includes appropriations totaling $11,000,000 for various departments and agencies, with specific allocations for the NIH, SBA, Department of Defense, and Department of the Interior.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Small Business, Appropriations, Ethics, Education and Workforce, the Judiciary, Veterans' Affairs, Natural Resources, House Administration, Science, Space, and Technology, Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, Oversight and Government Reform, Agriculture, Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Intelligence (Permanent Select), Homeland Security, Rules, and the Budget, 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.
House
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Small Business, Appropriations, Ethics, Education and Workforce, the Judiciary, Veterans' Affairs, Natural Resources, House Administration, Science, Space, and Technology, Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, Oversight and Government Reform, Agriculture, Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Intelligence (Permanent Select), Homeland Security, Rules, and the Budget, 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.
House
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Small Business, Appropriations, Ethics, Education and Workforce, the Judiciary, Veterans' Affairs, Natural Resources, House Administration, Science, Space, and Technology, Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, Oversight and Government Reform, Agriculture, Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Intelligence (Permanent Select), Homeland Security, Rules, and the Budget, 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.
House
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Small Business, Appropriations, Ethics, Education and Workforce, the Judiciary, Veterans' Affairs, Natural Resources, House Administration, Science, Space, and Technology, Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, Oversight and Government Reform, Agriculture, Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Intelligence (Permanent Select), Homeland Security, Rules, and the Budget, 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.
House
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Small Business, Appropriations, Ethics, Education and Workforce, the Judiciary, Veterans' Affairs, Natural Resources, House Administration, Science, Space, and Technology, Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, Oversight and Government Reform, Agriculture, Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Intelligence (Permanent Select), Homeland Security, Rules, and the Budget, 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.
House
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Small Business, Appropriations, Ethics, Education and Workforce, the Judiciary, Veterans' Affairs, Natural Resources, House Administration, Science, Space, and Technology, Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, Oversight and Government Reform, Agriculture, Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Intelligence (Permanent Select), Homeland Security, Rules, and the Budget, 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.
House
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Small Business, Appropriations, Ethics, Education and Workforce, the Judiciary, Veterans' Affairs, Natural Resources, House Administration, Science, Space, and Technology, Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, Oversight and Government Reform, Agriculture, Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Intelligence (Permanent Select), Homeland Security, Rules, and the Budget, 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.
House
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Small Business, Appropriations, Ethics, Education and Workforce, the Judiciary, Veterans' Affairs, Natural Resources, House Administration, Science, Space, and Technology, Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, Oversight and Government Reform, Agriculture, Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Intelligence (Permanent Select), Homeland Security, Rules, and the Budget, 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.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
House
Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
