WOSB Accountability Act

Bill: 119-hr-1816
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7]
Introduced: 2025-03-03
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Congressional oversight

Licensing and registrations

Public contracts and procurement

Small Business Administration

Small business

Women in business
Latest action: action_date: 2025-06-04
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Summaries:
action_date: 2025-03-03
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>WOSB Accountability Act</strong></p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p>

tv_txt: IIB 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1816 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 4, 2025 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship 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 title This 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 general Section 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 goals Only 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 date The 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 general Notwithstanding 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 described A 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) Rulemaking Not 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 required Not 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) Definitions In this section: (1) Administration The term Administration means the Small Business Administration. (2) Administrator The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Small Business Administration. (3) Small business concern The 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 women The 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 authorized No 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.

tv_txt: I 119th CONGRESS 1st 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 title This 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 general Section 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 goals Only 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 date The 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 general Notwithstanding 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 described A 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) Rulemaking Not 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 required Not 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) Definitions In this section: (1) Administration The term Administration means the Small Business Administration. (2) Administrator The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Small Business Administration. (3) Small business concern The 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 women The 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 authorized No 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.

tv_txt: IB Union Calendar No. 26 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1816 [Report No. 119–37] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 3, 2025 Ms. Velázquez (for herself and Mr. LaLota ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Small Business March 24, 2025 Additional sponsors: Ms. Goodlander and Mr. Fitzpatrick March 24, 2025 Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed A BILL To establish requirements relating to certification of small business concerns owned and controlled by women for certain purposes, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This 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 general Section 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 goals Only 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 date The 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 general Notwithstanding 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 described A 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) Rulemaking Not 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 required Not 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) Definitions In this section: (1) Administration The term Administration means the Small Business Administration. (2) Administrator The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Small Business Administration. (3) Small business concern The 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 women The 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 CUTGO No additional amounts are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act or the amendments made by this Act.

March 24, 2025 Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed

tv_txt: I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1816 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 3, 2025 Ms. Velázquez (for herself and Mr. LaLota ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Small Business A BILL To establish requirements relating to certification of small business concerns owned and controlled by women for certain purposes, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This 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 general Section 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 goals Only 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 date The 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 general Notwithstanding 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 described A 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) Rulemaking Not 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 required Not 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) Definitions In this section: (1) Administration The term Administration means the Small Business Administration. (2) Administrator The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Small Business Administration. (3) Small business concern The 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 women The 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 CUTGO No additional amounts are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act or the amendments made by this Act.