H.R.1475 - SBA Disaster Transparency Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 1475, the SBA Disaster Transparency Act, mandates the Small Business Administration (SBA) to publish reports on small business disaster assistance on its website. This bill amends Section 12091 of the Small Business Disaster Response and Loan Improvements Act of 2008, requiring the SBA to publish reports previously submitted to the House of Representatives. The goal is to enhance transparency and public access to information regarding disaster assistance programs.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill will be increased transparency regarding SBA disaster assistance programs. This will allow small business owners and the public to more easily access information about available resources and the SBA's response to disasters. Ultimately, this could lead to better utilization of disaster relief funds and improved accountability.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in SBA disaster assistance programs.
- Improved public access to information regarding disaster relief.
- Enhanced accountability of the SBA in its disaster response efforts.
- Potential for better utilization of disaster relief funds by small businesses.
- Greater awareness of available resources for businesses affected by disasters.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential increase in administrative burden for the SBA to publish the reports.
- Possible costs associated with maintaining and updating the website to host the reports.
- Risk of information overload if the reports are not presented in a user-friendly manner.
- No direct disadvantages to the American people are apparent, assuming the SBA can effectively manage the increased reporting requirements.
- The bill does not address the effectiveness or adequacy of the disaster assistance programs themselves, only the transparency of reporting.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the principles of government transparency and accountability, which are implicit in the Constitution's emphasis on a government of the people. While there is no specific constitutional clause mandating transparency, the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of speech and the press supports the idea of open access to government information. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).