Congressional Legislation · bill 119hr1816 · built from our database

Both sides have signed this (Bill Ranking)

WOSB Accountability Act

H.R. 1816 · 119th Congress (2025-2026)

H.R. 1816119TH CONGRESSINTRODUCED 03/03/2025REP. VELÁZQUEZD-NY · SPONSORLeft: DW-NOMINATE -0.55 (Sponsor Ranking)Lean left: no (Sponsor Ranking)Center: no (Sponsor Ranking)Lean right: no (Sponsor Ranking)Right: no (Sponsor Ranking)LEFT(SPONSOR RANKING)COMMERCE

4 members · Left 1 · Center 2 · Right 1 (Bill Ranking)

SponsorRep. Velázquez, Nydia M. (D-NY) (Introduced 03/03/2025)
Sponsor Voting RecordLeft · DW-NOMINATE -0.55 · measured from every roll-call vote this member has cast (voteview.com) (Sponsor Ranking)
Support
LLLCLRR

support across the spectrum: 4 members signed on (Bill Ranking) this bill: sponsor + current cosponsors, each once

CommitteesSenate - Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee; House - Small Business Committee; House - Small Business Committee; House - Small Business Committee
Latest Action06/04/2025 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
Roll Call VotesThere have been no roll call votes
Sourceview on congress.gov →
IntroducedPassed HousePassed SenateResolving DifferencesTo PresidentBecame Law

Summary (1)

Introduced in House (03/03/2025)

WOSB Accountability Act

This bill requires that only women-owned small businesses that have been certified by a federal agency, state government, or national certifying entity approved by the Small Business Administration (SBA) are included when calculating whether a federal agency has met its contracting goals with respect to such businesses during a fiscal year.

Certain self-certified, women-owned small businesses that have filed an application for certification are deemed to have been certified until the SBA or national certifying entity makes a determination with respect to the certification of such business.

The SBA must provide a briefing each quarter about specified aspects of the process of certifying women-owned small businesses and implementing the requirements of the bill.

Text (4)

Engrossed in House (EH)

119 HR 1816 EH: WOSB Accountability Act U.S. House of Representatives text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS1st Session H. R. 1816

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To establish requirements relating to certification of small business concerns owned and controlled by women for certain purposes, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the WOSB Accountability Act.

2.Exclusion of self-certified small business concerns owned and controlled by women from goals (a)Exclusion of self-Certified WOSBs from Governmentwide and agency goals (1)In generalSection 15(g) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644(g)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (4)Exclusion of self-certified WOSBs from goalsOnly small business concerns owned and controlled by women that have been certified under section 8(m)(2)(E) shall be included in calculating the goals established— (A)under paragraph (1)(A)(v); and (B)by the head of a Federal agency for small business concerns owned and controlled by women under paragraph (2).. (2)Effective dateThe amendments made by paragraph (1) shall take effect on the first day after the end of the second fiscal year beginning after the Administrator issues the regulations required under subsection (b)(2). (b)Requirements relating to self-Certified WOSBs (1)Inclusion of certain self-certified WOSBs in goals (A)In generalNotwithstanding any other provision of law, a small business concern described in subparagraph (B) shall be deemed to have been certified by the Administrator or a national certifying entity approved by the Administrator under section 8(m) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(m)) as a small business concern owned and controlled by women under paragraph (2)(E) of such section (15 U.S.C. 637(m)(2)(E)) for the purposes of calculating the goals described in paragraph (4) of section 15(g) of the such Act (as added by subsection (a) of this Act) until the Administrator or such a national certifying entity make a determination with respect to the certification of such concern. (B)Small business concerns describedA small business concern described in this subparagraph is a small business concern— (i)that is self-certified as a small business concern owned and controlled by women as of the date on which the amendments made by subsection (a) take effect; (ii)that files a certification application with the Administrator or a national certifying entity approved by the Administrator under section 8(m) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(m)) prior to such date; and (iii)for which the Administrator or such a national certifying entity does not make a determination prior to such date regarding certification pursuant to such certification application. (2)RulemakingNot later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue regulations carrying out this section. (c)Quarterly briefings requiredNot later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and on a quarterly basis thereafter until the date specified in subsection (b), the Administrator shall provide to the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives and the Committee Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate a briefing on the implementation of the requirements of this section. Such briefings shall include— (1)the total number of small business concerns expected to seek certification as a small business concern owned and controlled by women; (2)the number of applications for certification pending with the Administrator or a national certifying entity approved by the Administrator under section 8(m) of the Small Business Act during the period covered by the briefing; (3)the total number of applications approved by the Administrator or such a national certifying entity since the date of the enactment of this Act; (4)the timelines associated with processing such applications by the Administrator or such a national certifying entity between submission and approval; (5)the administrative costs to the Administration to make determinations on such applications and the estimated cost to such applicant to seek certification from a national certifying entity; (6)a discussion of the Administrator’s current and future outreach efforts to small business concerns owned and controlled by women and to Federal agencies on the requirements of this Act; and (7)recommendations for additional legislative authority or resources required to fully implement the requirements of this Act. (d)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)AdministrationThe term Administration means the Small Business Administration. (2)AdministratorThe term Administrator means the Administrator of the Small Business Administration. (3)Small business concernThe term small business concern has the meaning given under section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632). (4)Small business concern owned and controlled by womenThe term small business concern owned and controlled by women has the meaning given the term in section 8(m) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(m)). (e)No additional funds authorizedNo additional funds are authorized to carry out the requirements of this Act and the amendments made by this Act. Passed the House of Representatives June 3, 2025.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.

Introduced in House (IH)

119 HR 1816 IH: WOSB Accountability Act U.S. House of Representatives 2025-03-03 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1816IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 3, 2025Ms. Velázquez (for herself and Mr. LaLota) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Small BusinessA BILLTo establish requirements relating to certification of small business concerns owned and controlled by women for certain purposes, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the WOSB Accountability Act.2.Exclusion of self-certified small business concerns owned and controlled by women from goals(a)Exclusion of self-Certified WOSBs from Governmentwide and agency goals(1)In generalSection 15(g) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644(g)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:(4)Exclusion of self-certified WOSBs from goalsOnly small business concerns owned and controlled by women that have been certified under section 8(m)(2)(E) shall be included in calculating the goals established—(A)under paragraph (1)(A)(v); and(B)by the head of a Federal agency for small business concerns owned and controlled by women under paragraph (2)..(2)Effective dateThe amendments made by paragraph (1) shall take effect on the first day after the end of the second fiscal year beginning after the Administrator issues the regulations required under subsection (b)(2).(b)Requirements relating to self-Certified WOSBs(1)Inclusion of certain self-certified WOSBs in goals(A)In generalNotwithstanding any other provision of law, a small business concern described in subparagraph (B) shall be deemed to have been certified by the Administrator or a national certifying entity approved by the Administrator under section 8(m) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(m)) as a small business concern owned and controlled by women under paragraph (2)(E) of such section (15 U.S.C. 637(m)(2)(E)) for the purposes of calculating the goals described in paragraph (4) of section 15(g) of the such Act (as added by subsection (a) of this Act) until the Administrator or such a national certifying entity make a determination with respect to the certification of such concern.(B)Small business concerns describedA small business concern described in this subparagraph is a small business concern—(i)that is self-certified as a small business concern owned and controlled by women as of the date on which the amendments made by subsection (a) take effect;(ii)that files a certification application with the Administrator or a national certifying entity approved by the Administrator under section 8(m) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(m)) prior to such date; and(iii)for which the Administrator or such a national certifying entity does not make a determination prior to such date regarding certification pursuant to such certification application.(2)RulemakingNot later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue regulations carrying out this section.(c)Quarterly briefings requiredNot later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and on a quarterly basis thereafter until the date specified in subsection (b), the Administrator shall provide to the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives and the Committee Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate a briefing on the implementation of the requirements of this section. Such briefings shall include—(1)the total number of small business concerns expected to seek certification as a small business concern owned and controlled by women;(2)the number of applications for certification pending with the Administrator or a national certifying entity approved by the Administrator under section 8(m) of the Small Business Act during the period covered by the briefing;(3)the total number of applications approved by the Administrator or such a national certifying entity since the date of the enactment of this Act;(4)the timelines associated with processing such applications by the Administrator or such a national certifying entity between submission and approval;(5)the administrative costs to the Administration to make determinations on such applications and the estimated cost to such applicant to seek certification from a national certifying entity;(6)a discussion of the Administrator’s current and future outreach efforts to small business concerns owned and controlled by women and to Federal agencies on the requirements of this Act; and(7)recommendations for additional legislative authority or resources required to fully implement the requirements of this Act.(d)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)AdministrationThe term Administration means the Small Business Administration.(2)AdministratorThe term Administrator means the Administrator of the Small Business Administration.(3)Small business concernThe term small business concern has the meaning given under section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632).(4)Small business concern owned and controlled by womenThe term small business concern owned and controlled by women has the meaning given the term in section 8(m) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).(e)Compliance with CUTGONo additional amounts are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act or the amendments made by this Act.

Referred in Senate (RFS)

119 HR 1816 : WOSB Accountability Act U.S. House of Representatives text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IIB119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1816IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJune 4, 2025Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and EntrepreneurshipAN ACTTo establish requirements relating to certification of small business concerns owned and controlled by women for certain purposes, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the WOSB Accountability Act.2.Exclusion of self-certified small business concerns owned and controlled by women from goals(a)Exclusion of self-Certified WOSBs from Governmentwide and agency goals(1)In generalSection 15(g) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644(g)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:(4)Exclusion of self-certified WOSBs from goalsOnly small business concerns owned and controlled by women that have been certified under section 8(m)(2)(E) shall be included in calculating the goals established—(A)under paragraph (1)(A)(v); and(B)by the head of a Federal agency for small business concerns owned and controlled by women under paragraph (2)..(2)Effective dateThe amendments made by paragraph (1) shall take effect on the first day after the end of the second fiscal year beginning after the Administrator issues the regulations required under subsection (b)(2).(b)Requirements relating to self-Certified WOSBs(1)Inclusion of certain self-certified WOSBs in goals(A)In generalNotwithstanding any other provision of law, a small business concern described in subparagraph (B) shall be deemed to have been certified by the Administrator or a national certifying entity approved by the Administrator under section 8(m) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(m)) as a small business concern owned and controlled by women under paragraph (2)(E) of such section (15 U.S.C. 637(m)(2)(E)) for the purposes of calculating the goals described in paragraph (4) of section 15(g) of the such Act (as added by subsection (a) of this Act) until the Administrator or such a national certifying entity make a determination with respect to the certification of such concern.(B)Small business concerns describedA small business concern described in this subparagraph is a small business concern—(i)that is self-certified as a small business concern owned and controlled by women as of the date on which the amendments made by subsection (a) take effect;(ii)that files a certification application with the Administrator or a national certifying entity approved by the Administrator under section 8(m) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(m)) prior to such date; and(iii)for which the Administrator or such a national certifying entity does not make a determination prior to such date regarding certification pursuant to such certification application.(2)RulemakingNot later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue regulations carrying out this section.(c)Quarterly briefings requiredNot later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and on a quarterly basis thereafter until the date specified in subsection (b), the Administrator shall provide to the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives and the Committee Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate a briefing on the implementation of the requirements of this section. Such briefings shall include—(1)the total number of small business concerns expected to seek certification as a small business concern owned and controlled by women;(2)the number of applications for certification pending with the Administrator or a national certifying entity approved by the Administrator under section 8(m) of the Small Business Act during the period covered by the briefing;(3)the total number of applications approved by the Administrator or such a national certifying entity since the date of the enactment of this Act;(4)the timelines associated with processing such applications by the Administrator or such a national certifying entity between submission and approval;(5)the administrative costs to the Administration to make determinations on such applications and the estimated cost to such applicant to seek certification from a national certifying entity;(6)a discussion of the Administrator’s current and future outreach efforts to small business concerns owned and controlled by women and to Federal agencies on the requirements of this Act; and(7)recommendations for additional legislative authority or resources required to fully implement the requirements of this Act.(d)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)AdministrationThe term Administration means the Small Business Administration.(2)AdministratorThe term Administrator means the Administrator of the Small Business Administration.(3)Small business concernThe term small business concern has the meaning given under section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632).(4)Small business concern owned and controlled by womenThe term small business concern owned and controlled by women has the meaning given the term in section 8(m) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).(e)No additional funds authorizedNo additional funds are authorized to carry out the requirements of this Act and the amendments made by this Act.Passed the House of Representatives June 3, 2025.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.

Reported in House (RH)

119 HR 1816 RH: WOSB Accountability Act U.S. House of Representatives 2025-03-24 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IBUnion Calendar No. 26119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1816[Report No. 119–37]IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 3, 2025Ms. Velázquez (for herself and Mr. LaLota) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Small BusinessMarch 24, 2025Additional sponsors: Ms. Goodlander and Mr. FitzpatrickMarch 24, 2025Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printedA BILLTo establish requirements relating to certification of small business concerns owned and controlled by women for certain purposes, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the WOSB Accountability Act.2.Exclusion of self-certified small business concerns owned and controlled by women from goals(a)Exclusion of self-Certified WOSBs from Governmentwide and agency goals(1)In generalSection 15(g) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644(g)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:(4)Exclusion of self-certified WOSBs from goalsOnly small business concerns owned and controlled by women that have been certified under section 8(m)(2)(E) shall be included in calculating the goals established—(A)under paragraph (1)(A)(v); and(B)by the head of a Federal agency for small business concerns owned and controlled by women under paragraph (2)..(2)Effective dateThe amendments made by paragraph (1) shall take effect on the first day after the end of the second fiscal year beginning after the Administrator issues the regulations required under subsection (b)(2).(b)Requirements relating to self-Certified WOSBs(1)Inclusion of certain self-certified WOSBs in goals(A)In generalNotwithstanding any other provision of law, a small business concern described in subparagraph (B) shall be deemed to have been certified by the Administrator or a national certifying entity approved by the Administrator under section 8(m) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(m)) as a small business concern owned and controlled by women under paragraph (2)(E) of such section (15 U.S.C. 637(m)(2)(E)) for the purposes of calculating the goals described in paragraph (4) of section 15(g) of the such Act (as added by subsection (a) of this Act) until the Administrator or such a national certifying entity make a determination with respect to the certification of such concern.(B)Small business concerns describedA small business concern described in this subparagraph is a small business concern—(i)that is self-certified as a small business concern owned and controlled by women as of the date on which the amendments made by subsection (a) take effect;(ii)that files a certification application with the Administrator or a national certifying entity approved by the Administrator under section 8(m) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(m)) prior to such date; and(iii)for which the Administrator or such a national certifying entity does not make a determination prior to such date regarding certification pursuant to such certification application.(2)RulemakingNot later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue regulations carrying out this section.(c)Quarterly briefings requiredNot later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and on a quarterly basis thereafter until the date specified in subsection (b), the Administrator shall provide to the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives and the Committee Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate a briefing on the implementation of the requirements of this section. Such briefings shall include—(1)the total number of small business concerns expected to seek certification as a small business concern owned and controlled by women;(2)the number of applications for certification pending with the Administrator or a national certifying entity approved by the Administrator under section 8(m) of the Small Business Act during the period covered by the briefing;(3)the total number of applications approved by the Administrator or such a national certifying entity since the date of the enactment of this Act;(4)the timelines associated with processing such applications by the Administrator or such a national certifying entity between submission and approval;(5)the administrative costs to the Administration to make determinations on such applications and the estimated cost to such applicant to seek certification from a national certifying entity;(6)a discussion of the Administrator’s current and future outreach efforts to small business concerns owned and controlled by women and to Federal agencies on the requirements of this Act; and(7)recommendations for additional legislative authority or resources required to fully implement the requirements of this Act.(d)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)AdministrationThe term Administration means the Small Business Administration.(2)AdministratorThe term Administrator means the Administrator of the Small Business Administration.(3)Small business concernThe term small business concern has the meaning given under section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632).(4)Small business concern owned and controlled by womenThe term small business concern owned and controlled by women has the meaning given the term in section 8(m) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).(e)Compliance with CUTGONo additional amounts are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act or the amendments made by this Act.March 24, 2025Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed

The bill's own words, from our database (synced from the GPO BILLS XML); paragraph breaks added at the bill's section boundaries, nothing else changed.

All Actions (15)

DateChamberAll Actions
03/03/2025Library of CongressIntroduced in House
03/03/2025Library of CongressIntroduced in House
03/03/2025House floor actionsReferred to the House Committee on Small Business.
03/05/2025House committee actionsCommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
03/05/2025House committee actionsOrdered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 0.
03/24/2025Library of CongressReported by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-37.
03/24/2025House floor actionsReported by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-37.
03/24/2025House floor actionsPlaced on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 26.
06/03/2025House floor actionsMr. Williams (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
06/03/2025House floor actionsConsidered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2393-2395)
06/03/2025House floor actionsDEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1816.
06/03/2025Library of CongressPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2393-2394)
06/03/2025House floor actionsOn motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2393-2394)
06/03/2025House floor actionsMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
06/04/2025SenateReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Titles (7)

Title TypeTitle
Official Titles from EH (Engrossed in House) bill textTo establish requirements relating to certification of small business concerns owned and controlled by women for certain purposes, and for other purposes.
Short Titles from RFS (Referred to Senate) bill textWOSB Accountability Act
Short Title(s) as Passed HouseWOSB Accountability Act
Short Title(s) as Reported to HouseWOSB Accountability Act
Display TitleWOSB Accountability Act
Short Title(s) as IntroducedWOSB Accountability Act
Official Title as IntroducedTo establish requirements relating to certification of small business concerns owned and controlled by women for certain purposes, and for other purposes.

Amendments (0)

There are no amendments to this bill.

Cosponsors (3)

* = Original cosponsor

Committees (4)

CommitteeActivity
Senate - Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee06/04/2025 Referred To
House - Small Business Committee03/24/2025 Reported By
House - Small Business Committee03/05/2025 Markup By
House - Small Business Committee03/03/2025 Referred To

Related Bills (1)

Subjects (6)

Policy Area: Commerce

All data on this page comes from our own database (legislation.congress_* tables), synced daily from the GPO govinfo BILLSTATUS and BILLS collections. Formatted after congress.gov; nothing is generated. Member placement is their DW-NOMINATE score (voteview.com, Lewis et al.) - a measurement of roll-call voting behavior, not our judgement. Buckets: Left below −0.50 · Lean Left to −0.25 · Center to +0.25 · Lean Right to +0.50 · Right above +0.50. The bill's Support meter aggregates the people who signed the bill - sponsor and current cosponsors, each counted once - nothing else.