H.R. 8708 — Introduced in House

I 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8708 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 7, 2026Ms. 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)).