H.R. 8708

119 HR 8708 IH: Main Street Business Resource Integration and Development for Growth and Equity Act
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2026-05-07
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 I  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  H. R. 8708  IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES   May 7, 2026   Ms. Scholten  (for herself and  Ms. Pettersen ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the  Committee on Small Business , and in addition to the Committee on  Financial Services , 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   A BILL
To direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration and the National Director of the Minority Business Development Agency to direct small business development centers and MBDA Business Centers to collaborate to better serve small business concerns, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Main Street Business Resource Integration and Development for Growth and Equity Act   or   Main Street BRIDGE Act  .
2.
Collaboration between small business development centers and MBDA Business Centers
(a)
Collaboration required
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator and the Secretary, acting through the Director, shall direct small business development centers and MBDA Business Centers, respectively, to collaborate to better serve small business concerns.
(b)
Report
Not later than two years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator and the Director shall jointly submit to Congress a report that includes the following:
(1)
A summary of the results of the collaboration required under subsection (a).
(2)
A description of the challenges faced by small business development centers and MBDA Business Centers in carrying out the collaboration required under subsection (a).
(3)
The number of consultations, educational activities, and outreach activities performed by small business development centers and MBDA Business Centers in connection with the collaboration required under subsection (a).
(4)
The number of small business concerns served as a result of the collaboration required under subsection (a).
(5)
The number of new small business concerns started as a result of the collaboration required under subsection (a).
(6)
The number of new jobs created and existing jobs supported, in small business concerns, as a result of the collaboration required under subsection (a).
(7)
The dollar amount of financial assistance provided to small business concerns as a result of assistance received from small business development centers and MBDA Business Centers in connection with the collaboration required under subsection (a).
(8)
Any recommendations for enhancing collaboration between small business development centers and MBDA Business Centers.
3.
Definitions
In this Act:
(1)
Administrator
The term  Administrator  means the Administrator of the Small Business Administration.
(2)
Director
The term  Director  means the National Director of the Minority Business Development Agency.
(3)
MBDA Business Center
The term  MBDA Business Center  has the meaning given that term in section 100002(7) of the Minority Business Development Act of 2021 ( 15 U.S.C. 9501(7) ).
(4)
Secretary
The term  Secretary  means the Secretary of Commerce.
(5)
Small business concern
The term  small business concern  has the meaning given the term under section 3 of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 632 ).
(6)
Small business development center
The term  small business development center  has the meaning given that term in section 3(t) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 632(t) ).